Head of Co-Curricular PE and Sport

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1100 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, Middlesex. It draws pupils from a wide area of north-west London, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire with easy access by Underground from central London.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Physical Education Department has seven full-time and three part-time members of staff, providing a wide range of expertise and provision of numerous activities, both curricular and co-curricular. All members of the Department are involved in leading Physical Education throughout the School, from EYFS through to Sixth Form. The school also has several specialist coaching staff who currently support teaching in the following areas: Swimming, Tennis, Athletics, Cricket, Gymnastics and Dance

THE POST

St Helen’s is looking for an enthusiastic Head of Co-Curricular PE & Sport to start April 2023. The role will report to our Director of Sport.   

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will:

·      Have strategic responsibility for coordinating, developing and delivering a varied and stimulating programme of elite and recreational co-curricular PE and sporting activities  

·      Work with the Deputy Head Co-Curricular and Partnerships to develop and implement a strategy to fulfil the school’s objectives for participation in, and enjoyment of, sporting activities throughout the school. 

·      Oversee the school’s external sports fixtures, including squad and team selection, training sessions and fixtures for Prep and Senior School 

·      Arrange festivals for Prep age groups to ensure that all Prep girls get the opportunity to represent the school in at least one sporting activity during KS2. 

·      Ensure that the co-curricular programme in Physical Education and Sport provides appropriate opportunities for recreational and competitive sport throughout the whole school 

·      Actively promote the development of major sports at St Helen’s (badminton, netball, and athletics) while enabling “minor sports” to flourish (e.g., rugby, lacrosse, football, cricket) and seeking opportunities to introduce new sports into the programme. 

·      Organise the Co-Curricular timetable for the Physical Education department in consultation with the Director of Sport, including the deployment of staff, facilities, and activities. 

·      Coordinate the planning of major PE and Sport events such as Prep and Senior Sports Days, the annual Gym & Dance Show and Prep School Dance Shows. 

·      Attend termly meetings of the Co-Curricular Logistics Committee and to liaise with the Deputy Head Co-Curricular and Partnerships and the Directors of Sport, Drama and Music as required in order to plan the termly programme of co-curricular events and activities 

·      Ensure the effective use of SOCS to organise, deliver and track co-curricular sports activities and fixtures by all PE staff, with a particular focus on identifying patterns and trends in pupil participation 

·      Further develop the use of SOCS as a platform for information and communication regarding sports activities. 

·      Source and manage external coaches, create invoices, track budgets and to work with the PE Administrative Assistant to support the coaches 

·      Organise transportation for fixtures and off-site activities. 

·      Produce all letters for trials and events as applicable during the school year, liaising with the PE administrator to ensure their timely delivery. 

·      Assist the Director of Sport in developing and maintaining links with external clubs, organisations, and providers. 

·      Play a full and active role in organising, coaching, and supervising practices, and fixtures for at least one major co-curricular sport / team. 

·      Liaise with administration and marketing staff to celebrate sporting success and ensure that news is current and that stakeholders are aware of results and achievements through the school’s marketing channels. 

·      Assist the Director of Sport in the running of the Promising Athlete Programme (PAP) 

THE PERSON

It is essential for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes:

·      A good honours degree in a subject associated with Sport

·      Experience of teaching PE/Sport across the secondary age range

·      Demonstrable passion for teaching PE/Sport to Key stages 3, 4 and 5

·      Demonstrable subject knowledge

·      Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment

·      Experience in the use of IT to support the teaching and learning

·      A clear motivation to work with young people

·      The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with young people

·      Commitment to further professional development

It is desirable for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes:

·      A teaching qualification such as a PGCE (or equivalent)

·      Experience of teaching PE to primary age children

·      Evidence of co-curricular leadership experience

·      Evidence of further professional development

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 08.00am Thursday 1st December 2022

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early.

Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by the Director of Sport and members of the Senior Management Team, be observed teaching, and meet members of the PE Department. 

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2022 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at: recruitment@sthelens.london