Deputy Head of Department – Physical Education

Deputy Head of Department – Physical Education

Full time / Full year / Permanent

MPS-UPS £28,000 – £43,685 per annum plus TLR 2b £3,017

To start September 2023

Our department vision is to provide all learners with a broad and balanced curriculum, which will encourage “Lifelong Participation” in physical activity. We are looking for a passionate and high quality leader who is committed to helping achieve excellent and consistent outcomes across all three subject areas in the faculty (PE, dance and childcare).

They will lead by example, modelling quality first teaching and supporting the effective delivery of extracurricular provision for all year groups. They will be proficient at utilising data and research to ensure the department’s ambitious curriculum is achieved and the outcomes remain in line with FFT5. They will also be reflective and support the Head of Department in working towards the achievement of the department’s vision. This will involve the line management of some of the department members and supporting trainee teachers that the school welcomes.

The successful candidate will teach PE but there could be opportunities to teach across the faculty.

Physical Education is a very popular subject within the school. At KS4, we offer the Edexcel GCSE PE and the VCert Health and Fitness Technical Award. Students are also offered the BTEC Performing Arts, Dance qualification and the NCFE CACHE Child Development and Care. All department members teach across all key stages and are expected to run extracurricular as well as intervention. Within our PE curriculum we offer a range a traditional and non- traditional activities including Kinball, Mountain Biking and Stoolball.

The PE department facilities have been significantly upgraded as a result of a £7 million building project, completed July 2019. This has included a superb, state of the art, sports hall, which overlooks the beautiful landscape of the South Downs. The spacious sports hall covers the area of four badminton courts in size and provides a unique facility for our students and the local community. In addition, we have one outside basketball court, two netball courts, outdoors gym equipment and a set of 25 mountain bikes.

As a department, we have a strong commitment to the school’s enrichment programme. Every September our department leads the organisation of a whole school sponsored walk over the South Downs. This has been a tradition at Willingdon for many years and it is a chance to raise the profile of the importance of our subject. We close the school year with our annual sports day which is a key highlight of the year for every student in our school. We also enjoy success within the local Partnership competitions and in other competitions within the county. It is important that the successful candidate has a passion for ensuring every child receives the very best level of education possible and displays qualities of a positive role model. This practitioner will be prepared to go the extra mile, be keen to work as part of a team, and be open to, and willing to share, new ideas.

Our Vision Statement:

We are Willingdon

We are a united, vibrant community which demonstrates personal excellence in all that we do. Learning at Willingdon transforms lives by igniting curiosity and expecting the very best from staff and students alike. We value opportunities, aiming for success today to prepare for challenges and opportunities tomorrow. We are respectful, honest and courteous to empower each other on our unique learning journeys. We look after ourselves and each other, and show empathy, respect and compassion to all people and our environment along the way. We encourage tolerance, resilience and reflection, which in turn allows everyone to make progress every lesson. We work together as a harmonious community to be the very best versions of ourselves.

This makes us Willingdon

The CPD and talent management of our staff is given a very high priority as we believe this is a vitally important part of improving outcomes for young people as well as invigorating teachers` passion for their areas. Willingdon is proud of its record in developing new teachers and on the quality of CPD more widely.

Staff wellbeing is of paramount importance to us at Willingdon Community School. We can offer the successful candidate: 

·        A clear purpose. We are here to develop personal excellence and help staff and students be the very best versions of themselves

·        Lots of opportunities to observe others and feedback. We don’t grade lessons and feedback is developmental

·        Regular opportunities for staff voice directly to the Headteacher

·        On appointment, a full induction day

·        50% off Benenden Health Care scheme 

·        Opportunity to join Bupa Dental Plan

·        Weekly staff fitness sessions.

·        Regular Mindfulness sessions to enhance your work-life balance. 

·        We offer Mental Health First Aid to all staff

·        An Employee Assistance Programme via the County Council, they offer advice, information, emotional support and counselling

·        Annual Flu Vaccination is provided in the autumn term and paid for by the school

·        Access to the ESCC My Staff Shop which gives access to a wide range of tax efficient benefits and discounts from national and local businesses

·        Bike Scheme, this is a salary sacrifice scheme that produces a saving of up to 32% compared to buying a bike upfront

·        A free coffee machine is ready for you during break and lunch time

·        Invitations to whole school social events such as our Christmas party which is subsidised as a thank you to staff, and other gatherings to celebrate success

We believe that happy teachers make happy children and therefore do our utmost to support our staff. 

Working at Willingdon School

Willingdon Community School is committed to child protection/safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this duty of care. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment procedures and will require satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Closing Date: Monday, 20 February 2023 (by noon)

We advise applying promptly for our vacancies as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.