Deputy Director of Sport and Exercise (SpEx)

We are looking for an outstanding individual for the newly created role of Deputy Director of Sport and Exercise. The successful candidate will take a significant strategic role in shaping the future of the department. Already established as a forward-thinking and innovative programme, SpEx at Highgate has ambitions to continue to develop a programme that meets the needs of all our pupils. With significant investment in people and facilities, there are exciting opportunities to pursue a career in this field within a school that values the place of Sport, Exercise, Health and Wellbeing in the education of all our pupils. 

The Deputy Director of SpEx will work closely with the Director of SpEx to ensure the successful delivery of the department’s aims, deputising for the Director when necessary. They will have responsibility for  the High-Performance pupil programme and for supporting the implementation of SpEx Teaching & Learning (T&L) initiatives, monitoring pupil experience and implementing best practice in the development of youth sport and exercise. I   

The Deputy Director will assume line-management responsibility for the Head of SpEx Operations, The Head of Athletic Development and the Team Administrator. The people-management aspect of this role is initially designed to allow the post-holder to focus on the key T&L objectives of the role: delivering on the quality assurance of pupil experience, developing a coaching framework and coaching philosophy with Heads of Sport, leading the High Performance Programme and supporting the growth of Athletic Development across the School will be key success criteria for this role in the first two years. 

This is an opportunity for an experienced teacher in Sport and/or PE or sports coach to play a significant role in shaping the future of our SpEx programme. A record of achievement in leading school sport and PE programmes and high-performance coaching and athletic development (S&C) will support the successful candidate in demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of how best to support their colleagues to continue strengthening the way in which we deliver SpEx at Highgate. 

There are exciting opportunities for a range of professional challenges as a member of the SpEx leadership group. In addition, professional learning (CPD) to support performance and career progression is a priority among the wider team of Department colleagues who aspire to be the best in their field.

The post-holder would be expected to embody and exemplify our shared ethos, which is an innovative re-thinking of school-based Sport and Exercise and an importance placed on physical literacy, health, and wellbeing for all pupils. Commitment to research and interest in Sport and Exercise beyond the school programme will benefit the work required in leading the programme at Highgate. 

As an experienced manager and leader, the Deputy Director of SpEx will combine working collaboratively with leadership teams, teaching and coaching colleagues with the ability to work with autonomy on key projects in their agreed portfolio. 

The post will be full-time. The successful candidate will need to be available on Saturdays for fixtures throughout the academic year.

A commitment to wider extra-curricular practices and sports clubs is essential to ensure the quality of pupil experience. The successful candidate will have the imagination, drive, enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to challenge and support our pupils to make the most of their opportunities and ability, be knowledgeable about recent developments in Sport and Exercise and show a commitment to leading the future evolution of the wider extra-curricular programme.

SpEx at Highgate 

SpEx is a pupil-centred programme which unlocks potential by exposing individuals to experiences and opportunities which guide them towards an outcome that they are invested in. Key to this is the unique way in which Sport and Exercise interact in each part of the programme. Specialist teachers and coaches are used to deliver SpEx at every stage, implementing a curriculum which challenges every pupil. Twenty-five sporting pathways are offered to our pupils and we work within the whole School to ensure the sporting journey in every pathway supports both participation and performance. 

Highgate has a long tradition of sporting success on which we wish to build. Excellent links are already established with local sports clubs, and keenly contested House competitions are held in many sports, providing additional competitive opportunities for a significant number of pupils. Sports tours take place annually, experience of supporting or leading tours will also be beneficial. The successful candidate will be expected to support the tours programme.

Thirty-five full- and part-time SpEx staff are supported by over twenty teachers in delivering the SpEx programme. The Department is based around the well-equipped Mallinson Sports Centre (MSC). It is adjacent to the playing fields, near the Junior and Pre-Preparatory schools and within a few minutes’ walk of the Senior school. The Centre comprises a large sports hall, strength & conditioning suite, swimming pool and mezzanine hall. In addition, there is a dance and movement studio, squash and Eton Fives courts. The MSC managers and staff provide a significant programme of community use; they also support pupils’ activities within the Centre and provide administrative assistance. The School has twenty acres of playing fields, including an all-weather pitch, which can accommodate ten netball courts, a full-size hockey pitch, or twelve tennis courts. There is also a newly-developed multi-use games area which provides six cricket nets, three tennis courts, two netball courts and a hockey training facility. 

Working at Highgate

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff.  Salaries are competitive. The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.

The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.

Highgate is strongly committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to create a welcoming, respectful and safe environment for all members of our community, from every ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability/disability, religion and background.  We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

Highgate is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the Criminal Records Bureau).

Stephanie Pride, Director of Sport and Exercise, is very happy to answer any questions: stephanie.pride@highgateschool.org.uk