Graduate Assistant - Sports Specialism

Organisation: Stonyhurst College
Salary: £15570 per annum, includes full board (accommodation, all meals whilst on duty, use of facilities)
Location: Lancashire
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 31 March 2026
Job Description: Job overview
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Graduate Assistants to join Stonyhurst in September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience in an inspiring and supportive environment. As a Graduate Assistant, you will work closely with our experienced staff and alongside other Graduates, while developing your skills for a future in education or other sectors. This role is ideal for recent graduates looking to make a positive impact in a dynamic school community. The successful candidates will receive an attractive rewards package which includes an annual salary plus full board (accommodation and all meals provided).

THE ROLE

We are delighted to offer a fantastic development opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic recent graduates who are looking to experience work and life within an outstanding boarding school environment. You will gain invaluable experience in a busy boarding school, perhaps prior to embarking on a PGCE. Whether or not you choose to pursue a career in education, you will leave Stonyhurst with many transferable skills to take with you into the future.

Our graduate positions provide opportunities to work in all areas of school life and across a variety of Sports and Activities. You will work within the pastoral and sports departments either supporting lessons, individuals or groups, help to plan and prepare lessons, and assist to create a positive atmosphere within the boarding houses where the pupils feel comfortable to relax and unwind.

Here at Stonyhurst, we aim to nurture independently-minded young people with the ability to stand up for their beliefs, preparing them intellectually, spiritually and emotionally for their lives beyond Stonyhurst. You have the opportunity to be a fundamental part of this. The Graduate Assistant will work alongside House Parents and Assistants, our talented body of staff and other recent graduates with similar skills and interests, allowing you to truly immerse yourself into life at Stonyhurst and become a part of the Stonyhurst Family.

The College operates over 200 activities of a co-curricular nature on a weekly basis in term times. Graduates are expected to support some of these based on specialisms and interests. As an example, these have included social football clubs for girls and boys, fencing, performing arts, chaplaincy and more.

This is an exciting role which requires a flexible approach to working. Your duties will vary, from assisting with the activities of your chosen discipline and other sports during the day, to supporting in the boarding houses in the evenings, breakfast duties with the pupils in the mornings to travelling to fixtures or events.

SPORTS SPECIALISM

This role will form an integral part of the Stonyhurst community as a whole, and opportunities within the sport department are available. Sport is an essential component of Stonyhurst life – it’s in our DNA.

We have a long history of sporting success, and have produced a number of international sportsmen and women over the years. All pupils are able to take part in a wide range of sporting activities including team and individual sports in addition to inter-line (house) competitions, where teamwork and determination are nurtured. We are world famous for rugby, producing numerous county, professional and international level players and coaches. We also excel at cricket, tennis, hockey and netball, amongst other games.

Our innovative and outstanding facilities contribute towards our success on the sports field. We were the first independent school in the country to introduce a heated indoor swimming pool and ambulacrum. We now boast thriving sports facilities, including a swimming pool, nine-hole golf course, Olympic-sized all weather pitch, fitness centre, indoor LTA registered tennis dome, croquet lawn, indoor shooting range, clay pigeon facility and outdoor tennis courts.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and hard-working with a high level of emotional intelligence, excellent judgement and professional ethics. The successful candidate will have proven experience in their specialism and be able to perform their chosen discipline to a high standard.

You will be able to demonstrate relevant skills, experience and qualifications in your chosen area, and genuinely enjoy sharing your skills for the betterment of young people. You will possess the ability to work under pressure, balancing a number of commitments and the ability to solve problems with enthusiasm. The Graduate Assistants will be confident, professional, resilient and have well-rounded personalities.

It is essential that our graduates are committed to the safeguarding of young people, and are able to create a homely and positive environment in the boarding houses.

Proven experience or qualifications in your chosen specialism with the ability to perform to a high standard - Essential

Excellent communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships - Essential

Well-rounded personality - Essential

Confident, resilient, proactive and ability to work flexibly - Essential

Approachable, enthusiastic and considerate - Essential

Be in sympathy with the ethos of Stonyhurst as set out in our Mission Statement - Essential

Entitled to work and reside in the UK - Essential

Have excellent references - Essential

Be committed to the safeguarding of young people - Essential

Experience within a boarding school is desirable but not essential

Stonyhurst is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Any offer made to a successful candidate will be conditional upon relevant pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
How to apply: https://www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/about-us/work-at-stonyhurst For any queries, please contact recruitment@stonyhurst.ac.uk