Debating coaching at Wellington College offers the chance to inspire articulate, thoughtful pupils as they grow in confidence and competitive skill.
Wellington College is a world-leading independent boarding and day school. We are a dynamic, values-led community where ambition and collaboration drive excellence across academic life, sport, and the wider school community.
Located in Crowthorne, Berkshire, with train and bus links providing easy access to transport connections, our 400 acre estate is a unique and inspiring place to work.
You will join a talented and ambitious teaching community, contributing to the academic and pastoral life of the school. Through excellent teaching, co-curricular engagement, and professional collaboration, you will inspire pupils and make a lasting impact within your department and beyond.
Wellington College is seeking an accomplished and encouraging Debating Coach to help pupils aged 13–18 discover the intellectual challenge and enjoyment of competitive debate for 2 hours (every week during term time) to 12 (if coaching a competition). Working within a well-established cocurricular programme, the successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of the British Parliamentary format and a genuine enthusiasm for helping young people develop their own informed, persuasive voices.
This is an opportunity to shape engaging weekly coaching that supports a wide range of experience, from pupils taking their first steps at the lectern to those aspiring to perform at a high competitive level. Through carefully planned sessions, the Coach will help pupils strengthen their reasoning, research, argument construction, rebuttal and delivery, while fostering intellectual curiosity and respectful exchange. Individual feedback will play an important part in enabling each pupil to recognise their progress and set ambitious next steps.
The postholder will work closely with the Head of Debating and supporting colleagues to cultivate a welcoming, purposeful team community. They will encourage participation, oversee pupil involvement in events and help select teams thoughtfully for external opportunities. The role also includes accompanying and supporting pupils at online and in-person competitions held during the year, which may occasionally fall on evenings or weekends.
A successful candidate will combine competitive debating experience with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly and make pupils feel both supported and appropriately challenged. They will be organised and dependable in coordinating coaching and competition activity, comfortable building constructive relationships with external partners, and attentive to the care and professional standards required when working with young people.
Above all, this role calls for someone who can make debate an inclusive space for rigorous thought, considered disagreement and shared achievement. The Coach will model Wellington’s values of Kindness, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility, enabling pupils to participate with confidence, generosity and conviction.
Wellington College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must have the right to work in the UK.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We promote an inclusive and supportive environment and are an equal opportunities employer.
All candidates must apply via our online application form using the link below. A CV may be uploaded in support of the application, but the Wellington application form must be completed in full for your application to be considered. We do not accept CV only applications, in line with KCSIE safeguarding requirements. Full role details are available in the Job Description.
Closing Date: 17th September
Interviews: w/c 28th September