Head of Rugby

Please click here to view our recruitment pack.

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. It values the development of the whole person, placing emphasis on both academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. The school aims to support every pupil in order that they might achieve their potential.

The school seeks a dynamic, well-qualified, and experienced teacher / coach to lead Rugby with energy, vision and a drive for excellence at all levels. The post is available from September 2023.

We welcome applications from existing qualified teachers, as well as those from the professional game looking to move into the educational area.

The Head of Rugby will oversee the structure and development of the rugby programme throughout the Senior School, enhancing both participation and performance, as well as leading, training and supporting a team of specialist and non-specialist staff. 

The successful applicant will also teach PE & Games throughout the Senior School. A Level Physical Education is an option for Sixth Form pupils and there may be opportunities to be involved in teaching this examination subject if this is appropriate, but it is not a requirement of the role.

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS colleagues convey passion for their specialism and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their methods accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school and in addition to support the school’s work in external partnerships.

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply either through the link on our PGS website www.pgs.org.uk or alternatively by using the online form linked to our advert on www.tes.com.

Any informal enquires about the role or how to apply are very welcome at hr@pgs.org.uk

The closing date will be 12 noon on Tuesday 31st January 2023 and early applications are welcomed.

Interviews will be scheduled on Thursday 9th February 2023 and candidates are asked to allow a whole day for the interview process.

Rugby at PGS:

Rugby is currently the ‘core’ sport for the boys in Term 1, with Rugby 7s being played in Term 2. PGS can generally field three teams at U12, two teams at U13, U14 & U15, one team at U16, and two senior teams. The fixture list includes the following opponents: KES Southampton, Churcher’s College, Lord Wandsworth College, Ryde School, Bryanston School, Gordon’s School, City of London Freeman’s, Bishops Wordsworth’s School, and Reed’s School.

 Girls’ Rugby does not currently exist at PGS; however, we are very much open to exploring this. We are very much aware of the negative press around health and safety in rugby at present and we are vigilant about how we best offer the sport safely within an educational environment, but rugby will remain an integral part of our sport offering moving forward with the potential benefits that it can bring for each player involved.

The PE and Sports Department:

Sport at PGS is led by the Director of Sport, Mr Simon Copeland and the department consists of the Head of Physical Education, the Heads of Athletics, Cricket, Netball, Rugby and Tennis, the Head and Assistant Head of Hockey, PE staff, the PE & Games Administrator and a large team of external specialist coaches. 

The Sports Department has excellent facilities. On the main school site in Portsmouth there is a Sports Hall with climbing wall and 5 indoor cricket nets, three squash courts, a recently refurbished fitness suite fitness suite, and a dance studio. Our excellent facilities at Hilsea include the Fawcett Pavilion, four rugby pitches, three cricket pitches, a water-based Astroturf plus a training area, eight artificial and eight grass cricket nets and a hard-court area of four netball courts or five tennis courts; Netball is also played in the main school quad.

The school has the use of Governors Green in Old Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Tennis Dome. Additionally, we enjoy regular access to HMS Temeraire’s excellent facilities that neighbour the main site consisting of a Sports Hall, swimming pool, three artificial surfaces for rugby and hockey and an athletics track. We also enjoy a growing partnership with the University of Portsmouth and their recent development of sports facilities offers further exciting potential for PGS. There is a vast array of co-curricular opportunities led from within the department including morning, afternoon and after school activities every day of the week. In addition, the department organises a comprehensive touring programme that includes an annual pre-season training camp and a biennial sports tour.