Head of Physical Education

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 to lead its highly successful Physical Education department from September 2021. Applications are welcomed from candidates who can teach Physical Education at A Level and offer a specialism in one of the school’s major sports. 

We seek a Head of Department who is passionate and knowledgeable about their subject and able to communicate this with enthusiasm.  To lead this busy and exciting department it is also important to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. The successful candidate would need to be open to promoting cross-curricular links with other department areas as appropriate.

The successful candidate will be pro-active in promoting A level uptake among pupils across all age groups. The department is superbly resourced and has a good track record in public examinations; many pupils continue to study sports related courses at university. There are an additional eleven teachers within the Physical Education and Games department; the Head of Physical Education will report directly to the Director of Sport.

The Physical Education programme for Years 7–11 broadly follows the National Curriculum with all pupils having one lesson per week in addition to their games afternoon; the successful applicant will lead the delivery and evolution of this programme. The ideal candidate will also be able to coach at least one of the school’s main sports and will have the energy, vision and  drive for excellence at all levels. The successful applicant will also teach Games to Years 7 - 13 and there will be an opportunity to teach some games in our Junior School.  All teachers in the Department coach a Senior School team each term, which involves after-school practices each week and Saturday fixtures during term time.  

Sport at the school has a proud tradition and is well resourced with excellent facilities both on the main school site and at our Hilsea sports ground.  Former pupils include cricketer, Wally Hammond and athlete, Roger Black.  The school’s sporting programme continues to expand with the introduction of new activities, the building of new facilities and the recruitment of well qualified staff.  Our facilities include four rugby pitches, a Sports Hall, an all-weather hockey pitch, eight netball courts, eight grass cricket nets and a further eight astroturfed nets.  We are also fortunate to be able to use local Ministry of Defence facilities, including an athletics track, swimming pool, netball courts, all-weather hockey pitches and new 3G and 4G pitches as well as the Portsmouth Tennis Academy Tennis Dome located beside the main school site.  Recent sporting successes include winning National, Regional and County Cups in Rugby, Cricket, Netball, Athletics, Tennis and Boys’ and Girls’ Hockey. A high percentage of current pupils have county and regional honours; several enjoy international status.  PGS was recently named in the School Sports Magazine Top 200 School for Sport in the UK.  The scope for future development is exceptional.

PGS is an IB world school and has offered the IB since 2009, with consistently excellent results. Due to reduced levels of uptake among our pupils, 2020 is the last year in which pupils may embark upon the IB Diploma at PGS. From September 2020, an exciting new A Level enrichment programme is being offered, which places emphasis on academic breadth and challenge, personal development, community workplace experience and leadership.

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning.  Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson.  Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers. 

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching 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.  

Benefits

The Portsmouth Grammar School prides itself on being a caring employer and all staff are encouraged to discuss any aspects of their terms and conditions of employment initially with their line manager and, as necessary, with the Bursar who signs all contracts of employment on behalf of the Governing Body.

The school is a strong supporter of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its INSET programme of Professional Development Days provides staff with many personal development opportunities. Examples of school support include financial support for further education such as Masters Degrees.

Key financial benefits of employment at PGS include a generous salary structure supplemented by payment of an additional PGS Allowance.  There are many opportunities to take on additional paid responsibilities to assist in the management and operation of the school.  The school participates in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The school also has a generous fee concession for the children of teaching staff.  The school supports the Cycle to Work scheme and all members of staff have free use of the school’s sports facilities which include a well-equipped Fitness Centre. The school provides a two course lunch during term, with a full evening meal provided before all parents evenings. 

For candidates who would relocate to take up this position, the school may be able to offer subsidised rental accommodation in Old Portsmouth on a temporary basis. Please state in your application if this is of interest to you. 

The school is always looking for innovative ways to improve the working conditions and remuneration of its employees and welcomes suggestions from all staff.

How to Apply

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check. 

Further information is available on the website at www.pgs.org.uk under the ‘About Us’ section and any queries regarding the vacancy should be emailed to HR@pgs.org.uk. 

An electronic application would be preferable, submitted to HR@pgs.org.uk.  All applicants should complete an application form, and send a covering letter and full curriculum vitae.  All applications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of three referees. 

Candidates are also welcome to apply through the TES website using the application form linked to our PGS advert.

The closing date is noon 18th March 2021 and early applications are encouraged. Interviews will be held w/c 22nd March 2021, with shortlisted candidates invited to teach both an observed PE lesson and a games session as part of the interview day. 

We look forward to hearing from you.