Simon Atkinson Bsc. (hons) PGCE QTS Ma NPQSL
Director of Physical Education & Sport
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
My career journey has given me the unique opportunity to see sport and activity from all possible angles and in the process learn from some amazing professionals in coaching, teaching and leadership at all levels both within the UK and Internationally.
Adaptable | Positive | Resilient | Ambitious | Driven
*Common Words Used To Describe myself in Performance Appraisals, Reviews and References
EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2024 - PRESENT
St Andrews Green Valley, THAILAND
Ban Chang, Thailand
Head of Whole School of Physical Education & Sport
Head of Whole School Physical Education & Director of Sport: Responsible for the organisation and development of Physical Education and Sporting participation/competition across EYFS to year 13.
To ensure the schools continued participation in regional, national and international competitions and continued development of the school Physical Education Provision with the aim of increasing participation and engagement levels across the school.
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Curriculum: British & IB [EYFS-Year 13] Cambridge International
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Most notable achievements include:
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Teacher of PE including KS3 and 4 core PE, iGCSE PE and IBDP SHES course
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Established a cross school handbook encompassing key policies, procedures and expectations
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Established a new whole school holistic curriculum & assessment policy.
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Established the Student led Social Media Team covering all fixtures, conducting coaching, athlete and event interviews.
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Established TEAMGV student led podcast series based on promotion of p[possible sporting careers and where sport & PE can take you in later life.
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Led of international FOBISIA events and competitions across all major sports and games
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Led on the organisation, management and tracking of all regional (ESAC) sporting competitions, leagues and events.
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Organisation, management and delivery of departmental CPD sessions
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Presenter -OFFSEAS Academic PE Job Alike Workshop (JAWS) 2024/25
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Presenter -FOBISIA Collaborate & Connect (JAWS) 2024/25
U19 Girls/Boys FOBISIA Football & Basketball coach
U19 Girls/Boys ESAC touch rugby coach
2024/25 U15/U13/U11 FOBISIA Games trip leader
2024/25 ODOG Event Coordinator/Organiser
2024/25 ESAC 3 day Primary Invitational Games Coordinator/Organiser
2024/25 ESAC Cross Country Organiser
Reason for Leaving: Seeking long term position at a school that can support my children's examination goals and seeking further career progression/development
2023 - 2024
SHERBORNE, QATAR
Doha, Qatar
Director of Physical Education, Sport & Community Engagement
Responsible for the strategic development, growth and effective running of physical education, sport and community activity initiatives across the Sherborne Qatar network of 5 schools from EYFS-Year 13 (inclusive of a specialist SEND unit).
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Curriculum: British [EYFS-Year 13] Cambridge International & Pearson Edexcel
Most notable achievements include:
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Established a cross school handbook encompassing key policies, procedures and expectations (inclusive of schools strategic 5-year development plan for sport and Physical Education).
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Established a cross school conceptual curriculum inclusive of a fully holistic assessment model based on Engagement, Activity and Progress.
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Establishing a cross school swimming program through development of the school first fully certified commercial aquatics centre and design/delivery of a contextual water confidence and competency programme.
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Established the SQAcademies programme in collaboration with external Swimming, Football, Basketball, Rugby and Athletic providers.
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Establish clear G&T pathways through student attainment of internationally recognised coaching certifications, scholarships, and professional club links.
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Developed a cross-schools sports calendar to include inter-house-based sports festivals, transitional camps, parents’ inclusive sports events and invitational sports tournaments in addition to regular inter-school fixtures for all abilities and participation levels.
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Developed school facilities to include a new state-of the art strength and conditioning suite, Commercial grade aquatic centre, Qatar’s first 3vs3 basketball court, dance studios and indoor multiuse spaces.
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Established strong collaborative connections with national representative squads and teams for Rugby and Athletics providing clear and fluid pathways for students to represent their country at the highest level of competition.
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Organisation, management and delivery of cross school CPD sessions to over 400 delegates (including sessions on team work, wellbeing, collaborative practical learning, behavioural management and monitoring, conceptual approach to practical teaching and resilience).
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Development of staff provision of a wellbeing programme inclusive of sports facility access, classes and events.
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​Reason for Leaving: Redundancy of the Role resulting from unforeseen MOE governmental changes/ Desire to return to South East Asia
2020 - 2023
NORD ANGLIA EDUCATION
Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Founding Director of Physical Education and Sport
As the founding Director of Sport & PE I was responsible for establishing and developing the schools co/extra-curricular school sporting provision and bilingual Physical Education vision.
Curriculum: International Bilingual inclusive of IB and CNC [EYFS-Grade 12]
Most notable achievements include:
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Established the founding PE and Sports Handbook including all key policies such as risk assessments, behavioural management, expectations and accountabilities of staff and external coaching teams, unit, and lesson planning guidance and CPD provision for staff and external coaching teams.
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Organized and ran numerous sports based open days seeing over 200 families attend each event.
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Developed a strong culture of sporting participation within the school through an extensive fixtures calendar established during a time of significant pandemic restrictions.
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Achieved 97% parental satisfaction score for provision of sporting opportunities and 96% parental satisfaction score for the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles within the 1st academic cycle, a 28% increase in comparison to the global average within the NAE school’s network.
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Established, developed, and managed delivery of an innovative and ambitious curriculum designed to reflect British inquiry, thematic, conceptual, and contextual pathway learning approaches (which both widen perceptions, increase participation levels with enjoyment at the center) whilst also catering for CNC government requirements.
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Provided structured and purposefu
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Responsible for Establishing, Co-Ordinating and Assessing the international Duke of Edinburgh Award program for students within Grade 8-12, offering the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
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Whole School Extra-Curricular and After -School Co-Ordinator
As the founding ECA and ASA Co-Ordinator, it was my responsibility to establish, launch and maintain the whole school Extra Curricular Activity and After School Activity provision during the school’s inaugural year.
Most notable achievements include:
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Achieved a perfect 100% parental satisfaction score for variety of after school activity provision within the 1st academic cycle, a 28% increase in comparison to the global average within the NAE school’s network.
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Successfully launched over 60 ECAs and ASAs delivered exclusively by teaching, support and admin staff which later increased to over 100 opportunities with the inclusion of external vendors/providers in the second half of the school year.
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Successfully sourced, negotiated, and managed the acquisition of external providers and community groups links which in turn increase both ECA and ASA options, holiday camp provision and weekend offering which in turn significantly increased the school’s annual revenue generation.
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Introduced the first quarterly ECA & ASA program within the NAE China network of schools, allowing significantly increased choice to students condensing club and activity provision into 4 quarters opposed to the more traditional 2 semesters which was very well received by parents, students, and staff respectively.
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Head of House
Using my experience of the UK ‘House System’ I have been able to help guide the committee toward a very British house system as envisioned by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) including:
Most notable achievements include:
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Created a full calendar of rotational monthly whole schoolhouse events provided periodically by all faculties, departments, and subjects.
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Established a whole school rewards policy to reflect and include the house system whilst also promoting individual success of the students
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Organized, delivered, and managed several large House events including the initial ‘launch’ event within the first 2 weeks of the school being opened which engaged all staff and students over a full day of events and activities.
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Reason for Leaving: Shanghai Lock Down Crisis / Career Progression
2012 - 2020
Swavesey Village College
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Assistant Director of Sport | Head of Physical Education
Led a team of 7 highly accomplished and dedicated teachers plus numerous support and coaching staff. During my time in post, I was able to learn from some fantastic leaders in education both in and out of sport and in doing so find my own style of educational leadership.
Curriculum: British [Year 7-Year 11] OCR & Edexcel
Most notable achievements include:
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One of the first schools nationally to achieve the AfPE Quality Mark with Distinction (the only secondary school in the UK who achieved this award 3 consecutive times over a 9-year period – 2013/2016/2019).
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Increased Physical Education Examination (BTEC & GCSE courses) uptake by over 500% in just 3 academic cycles
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Vastly improved examination results from 16 students achieving 62% A*-C to 100 students achieving 98% A*-C equivalent (averaging scores of +1.31 value added) within 3 years.
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Significantly increased extra-curricular attendance from 25% to 80% of students over a standard week through the introduction of various new (non-traditional) sports clubs.
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Multiple winners of the regional Living Sport PE team of the year / school of the year award and regular top 3 nominee for over 6 years.
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The only secondary school in the Southeast region to achieve the Platinum Level Sports Mark Award for sporting excellence and engagement.
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The only school to have been recognised nationally by the YST on four consecutive occasions for providing one of the best sports leader’s programs, producing no less than 4 national sports leaders of the year at the national school games.
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Consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ in subject and Ofsted reviews.
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Increased community engagement by over 200% by increasing facility use out of hours, initiating community clubs and activity programs at evenings, weekend and over school holiday periods.
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Director of Rugby
Responsible for all matters pertaining to whole school rugby development and competition with a focus on participation.
Most notable achievements include:
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300% increase in uptake of rugby as an extracurricular option.
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6 County cup and Regional Cup championship titles within Eastern Counties over 8 academic cycles.
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2 unbeaten seasons for the school’s 1st XV between 2015-16 and 2016- 2017
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Regular placement of no less than 4 students annually into county & regional representative teams plus multiple professional club academy placements with both the Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers Academy programs.
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Total 3 placements of students onto international scholarships programs with top performing rugby playing universities around the world (in partnership with ‘Elite Scholars’).
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Successful introduction and development of Girls Rugby program fielding several teams at local and regional events.
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Introduction and development of the touch rugby program which saw record numbers of students playing rugby and several students reaching regional and even international representational standards.
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Director of Outdoor Education | Head of Climbing Academy
Responsible for establishing the school’s first Outdoor Education program both within the curriculum and beyond into evening and weekend activities and clubs including the formation of the Elite Climbing pathway.
Most notable achievements within this role include:
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The self-funded build of the regions first and largest indoor climbing wall suitable for competition grade climbing (including speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing facilities).
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The only state school setting nationally to attain NICAS and NIBAS certification allowing the delivery of nationally recognized academy programs and instructor training certified courses.
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Formation of the most successful climbing academy within the eastern region with over 500 registered families attending Saturday morning climbing sessions and courses
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Achieving a top 5 ranking consistently each year in the eastern region junior climbing competition series
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Founding and developing the climbing leaders program qualifying over 40 aged 16+ Students and Alumni as indoor climbing instructors, many of which went on to take significant roles of leadership or management at climbing centers around the country.
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Reason for Leaving: Career Progression & International Opportunity
2010 - 2012
Sheringham High School
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Teacher | Head of Boys Physical Education & Sport
Responsible for all matters pertaining to boys PE. In charge of KS4 and 5 PE including Level 2 & 3 BTEC (monitoring, planning and assessing). Delivered lessons ranging from KS3- 5, including GCSE, BTEC and A levels.
Curriculum: British [Year 7-Year 13] OCR & Edexcel
Whilst in post I developed a whole department curriculum/timetable, expanded significantly upon the existing Extra Curriculum timetable. I spearhead the schools first sports leadership program and established the schools rugby academy creating a clear pathway into numerous top performing universities and regional professional clubs for students.
Most notable successes included seeing no less than 5 students during my short time in post accepted into professional rugby academy squads and attain international scholarships as a result.
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Reason for Leaving: Career Progression
OTHER EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2022 - 2023
FIRST POINT USA
Sporting Scholarship Talent Scout
Working with the amazing First Point USA team based in the UK to create clear scholarship pathways for talented student athletes within international schools in Asia
2022 - 2023
SPORTING DIRECTIONS
2021 - 2023
RHINO RUGBY ACADEMY
2012 - PRESENT
AK-TIVITIES LTD.
Podcast Host
The Sports Industry is an amazing Industry, one full of opportunities and a variety of roles. But how do we find our calling in this vast industry? How do we find what it is we were meant to do or meant to be? and how is it we can achieve these dreams?
The Sports Directions Podcast is aimed at helping to answer some of these questions by sharing some of the amazing journeys of others, theirs achievements, their struggles and some of the advice they may have for others wanting to follow a similar path and begin to write their own stories in this industry.
In Series #1 will be speaking to Olympic Gold medalists, Sports Agents, World Famous Physiotherapist, Fitness and Health Industry CEOs, Sports Business Owners, Sports Event & Marketing Gurus and of course those in the world of Sports Education and Coaching.
Lead | Head Academy Rugby Coach
As the lead/head Academy Rugby Coach I was responsible for the planning, organization and delivery of sessions to children aged 9 to 18 with varying levels of ability.
I was responsible for managing a team of 8 coaching staff, ensuring they ‘bought into’ the Rhino Rugby Culture and embodied the values of the program which include Teamwork / Respect / Enjoyment / Discipline / Sportsmanship.
I was also responsible for mentoring new and inexperienced coaching staff, supporting them in their development as coaches and guiding them toward level 1 and 2 World Rugby courses.
Founder | CEO
AK-tivities Ltd. was founded in 2013 to provide sports coaching, instruction, activities and fitness training for children, parents, and all those in the local community of Huntingdon and Cambridgeshire. An affordable yet exciting new way to engage with sport and activity during the school Holiday periods and at weekends.
We operated over 2 sites located in and around the Huntingdon and South Cambridgeshire area with over 300 children attending our to our school holiday sports camps daily. We have more recently branched out into wrap around care providing structured support and childcare for students attending primary schools in the Huntingdon and South Cambridgeshire area both before and after the standard school day.
As the Founder and CEO I'm proud to be at the head of this resilient and inclusive ltd company that provides a fantastic opportunity for all to enjoy such sports and activities as Archery Tag, Indoor Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Fitness Workshops and lots more at an affordable price to parents and families in the local community.
2010 - 2020
EASTERN COUNTIES RFU
Lead | Head Forwards and Defensive Coach
For just over a decade I was part of the immensely successful Eastern Counties Rugby Football Union Coaching Team Specializing in Forwards and Defensive tactics & game play. During this time I was fortunate enough to work with some of the best coaches in the domestic and international game.
Some of the most notable achievement include:
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3 unbeaten seasons, effectively completing the domestic grand slam of U16 representative rugby
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Consistently placed over 80% of all players into professional rugby academies each year (Namely Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers Academies)
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Consistently placed over 3 players each year into age group national representative teams including England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
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Produced over 12 fully professional and 5 international players at the adult level
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Successfully organised and ran over 6 professional development conferences providing coaching seminars, workshops and round table discussions.
2009 - 2012
THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
Lead Climbing Coach | Holiday Sports Camp Manager
As the Senior/Lead Climbing Instructor at the Sports Park, located within the University of East Anglia I was responsible for the organisation of the day to day running and regulation of the climbing wall which included the planning and delivery of classes, clubs and academy sessions. I was also responsible for ensuring all risk assessments were up to date, instructor's were delivering high quality sessions in accordance to BMC guidelines and the climbing wall remained profitable.
As the Manager of the Holiday multi-sports program at the UEA I was responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of high quality activity days for up to 200 children a day through the effective leadership of over 50 staff throughout the holiday period.
2002 - 2006
RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
Rugby Development Officer | Community Rugby Coach
As the Senior/Lead Community Rugby Coach I was responsible for the planning, delivery and assessment of all community (including school and clubs) in the region of East Yorkshire, based out oft eh Hull University Sports Complex. I was also responsible for the organisation and delivery of training/development of new coaching staff within local schools and clubs across the East Yorkshire Network and for the organisation, delivery and management of numerous annual rugby festivals for all ages (including touch, tag, full contact, 7’s and 15’s versions of the game)
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