Head of Academic PE

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational Head of Academic PE who will promote the vision to provide strong academic leadership to establish and deliver the departmental strategy in line with the aims and objectives of the School. The Head of Academic PE will ensure effective delivery of curriculum PE and academic PE across all senior school age groups. As a key member of the Sports Department, the successful candidate will have a track record of outstanding academic PE teaching and the ideal candidate would also have a coaching specialism in Netball, Football, or Hockey.

Sport is a big part of the Headington Rye Oxford identity. We offer outstanding teaching and coaching for all girls and ensure that competitive opportunities in a range of sports are available for all who want them. Our aim is that every girl is able to choose from a range of active options, and while we focus on our core sports of Hockey, Netball, Rowing and Tennis, interest and participation in Football and Cricket is growing and our girls regularly achieve national level success in Cross Country, Athletics and Swimming. Those that prefer non-competitive activities are able to benefit from options that include Yoga, Spinning, Circuits, Volleyball, Boxercise and many more. Our aim is for every girl to develop a life-long enthusiasm for being active and staying healthy.

Our programme of curricular and co-curricular sport is delivered by a team of around 15 teachers, supported by a number of skilled coaches, a graduate assistant and the additional support of a number of teachers from other departments. Our pupils benefit from the use of our full-sized artificial pitch, a number of smaller training pitches, two indoor sports halls, floodlit hardcourts, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness suite, indoor rowing facilities and a brand new boathouse, just opened at Long Wittenham.

PE and Sport has a strong academic profile in the school. PE is a popular GCSE and A Level option. Our pupils benefit from outstanding teaching and achieve excellent results, many of them leaving us to take up further study in sports-related degrees such as Exercise & Sport Sciences, Sports Management, Psychology with Sport & Exercise and Physiotherapy.

This is a full-time, permanent position starting in September 2025

Key Responsibilities

• promote a clear vision for the department, embracing innovation and creativity, which embodies the highest expectations of staff and pupils
• be responsible for leading and managing the academic and curriculum PE Department and the academic teaching in the department and be directly accountable to the Director of Sport
• co-ordinate the work of the teams within the department to ensure continuity and progression of the curriculum across Lower School, Middle School and the Sixth Form
• deploy, in liaison with the Director of Sport, teaching staff across the department, ensuring this best meets the needs of all pupils
• model excellent practice in teaching and learning, providing opportunities for the development and sharing of good practice
• monitor the impact of teaching and learning within the department
• support colleagues in the department in using assessment data to inform curriculum delivery and accelerate pupil progress
• promote a culture of reflection and professional practice by leading the department to engage in personal continuing professional development
• contribute to the development of whole school policy and practice

Benefits

Pension

As per current legislation, eligibility is based on the School’s terms and conditions of eligibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Fee remission

In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change from time to time, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for students attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.

The remuneration package

Headington Rye Oxford offers an enhanced teaching scale with points that equate to teaching experience and a leadership scale for responsibility. The salary offered will reflect the experience of the successful candidate and be commensurate with the post.

Additional Benefits

All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir.

Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.

Appointment Process and How To Apply

Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com

• Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
• We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
• If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.

Application deadline: 12.00 pm Thursday 27th March 2025

Interviews: Thursday 3rd April 2025

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy, you will be unable to submit your application form.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.

Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and 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 DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.