Walhampton - Head of Sport (Rugby)

Summary

Walhampton School is seeking to appoint an outstanding, enthusiastic and ambitious Head of Sport (Rugby) to join our thriving Sports Department.

Detail

Walhampton School is seeking to appoint an outstanding, enthusiastic and ambitious Head of Sport (Rugby) to join our thriving Sports Department.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate rugby coach/teacher to lead and develop rugby across the School, inspiring pupils of all abilities and helping to shape the future of sport at Walhampton.

Set in 100 acres on the edge of the New Forest and close to the Solent, Walhampton offers an exceptional environment in which children are encouraged to be kind, curious and achieve their very best. Sport plays a central role in school life and we are proud of our strong sporting culture, broad participation and competitive success.

About the role

The successful candidate will take ownership of rugby throughout the School, leading the development of the programme across both curriculum and co-curricular sport. Working closely with the Director of Sport and Sports Administrator, they will oversee fixtures, team allocations, player development pathways and the continued promotion and growth of rugby at Walhampton.

The role includes coaching pupils across all age groups and abilities, supporting staff who coach rugby during the season, developing strong partnerships within the local sporting community and helping to identify opportunities to further enhance participation and performance.

The successful candidate will also lead the Walhampton Athlete Development Programme (WADP) for rugby, including additional coaching sessions, tournaments and occasional Saturday fixtures and training sessions during the Winter and Spring Terms.

What You Will Do

• Lead and develop rugby across the School.
• Deliver high quality coaching and teaching to pupils across all age groups and abilities.
• Organise and oversee fixtures, tournaments and sporting events.
• Support the planning of sports timetables and staffing.
• Lead the Walhampton Athlete Development Programme (WADP) for rugby.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure excellent communication with pupils, parents and staff.
• Promote and develop rugby both within and beyond the School community.
• Support the wider life of the School and contribute positively to the Sports Department.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an energetic and committed individual with a genuine passion for sport and pupil development. The successful candidate will be an excellent coach and role model who can inspire pupils, work collaboratively with colleagues and contribute enthusiastically to the wider life of the School.

Essential:

• Strong rugby coaching and/or teaching experience.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire young people.
• A commitment to high standards and pupil development.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Willingness to contribute to the wider co-curricular life of the School.

Desirable:

• Experience leading a sports programme or department.
• Experience organising fixtures, tournaments and sporting events.
• Experience working within an independent school environment.
• Relevant coaching or teaching qualifications.
• Experience developing performance pathways for young athletes.

Why Walhampton?

• A supportive and inspiring team in a beautiful setting on the edge of the New Forest.
• Professional development opportunities to grow in your career.
• Competitive salary and staff benefits, including:
• Free lunch during term time.
• Free tea and coffee.
• Healthcare cashback plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• 24-hour GP access.
• Free onsite parking.

Apply Today!

For further information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday 12th June 2026, with interviews scheduled to take place on Thursday 18th June.

It is our preference for candidates to apply by completing our online application form, which can be accessed by clicking 'Apply Now.' If you prefer to apply offline, an alternative application form is available by emailing hr@walhampton.com.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. No agencies please.

Walhampton is an independent preparatory day and boarding school for 370 boys and girls aged 2–13. The school lies in beautiful ancient woodland on the southern edge of the New Forest near Lymington in Hampshire.

Further information about Walhampton is available at www.walhampton.com.

Walhampton School is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references and evidence of right to work in the UK. It is a criminal offence for an individual to apply for a role if they are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff, ensuring that our staff body reflects the diversity of modern Britain. Acknowledging a lack of ethnic diversity within our staff community, we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates. Appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

Documents

• Walhampton-School-Candidate-Information-Brochure-Head of Sport (Rugby) 2026 FINAL PDF Document