Teacher of Physical Education and Boys Games (Cricket Specialist)

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales.

Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. Recent capital developments have included a new landscaped playground area and an outdoor classroom. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field on Bidston Road. 

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors, and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families.

A key feature of the School is its strength of community which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community, has strong links with local business and charities, and enjoys an extensive bursary programme. The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche.

A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individual’s qualifications on paper. All applicants should be outstanding teachers, but also possess the wider interests, passions and values that will inspire students outside of the standard curriculum.

The PE Department currently consists of three full time and two part time specialists in the Senior School and a co-ordinator of PE and Games in the Prep department, led by the Director of Sport, Mr Keith Fowles. The School offers both GCSE and A Level PE. All members of the department have an input into PE and Games for both boys and girls. Within the staff community, we have a number of colleagues who have international, as well as regional and county experience.  This greatly enhances the coaching provision of our major sports and helps foster confidence, teamwork and the development of specific skills in the students. We are assisted by a large number of colleagues from other departments who contribute enormously to the wide range of co-curricular sporting activities offered. Facilities are excellent and include a sports hall, indoor climbing wall, weights and fitness suite and gymnasium, as well as an astro turf sports pitch and several acres of playing fields.

The School has an excellent sporting tradition and boys’ and girls’ teams compete very successfully in regional and national competitions. Senior squads embark on major overseas tours. At an individual level, a number of students have performed at county, regional and international level in their respective sports. In order to maintain our high level of team and individual success, the successful candidate will need a strong commitment to co-curricular involvement after school and each weekend. 

The main winter sport for boys is Rugby, whilst in the summer Cricket is the main activity. It is important that the successful applicant is able to coach/teach both of these sports. 

Whilst the department is justifiably proud of the School’s co-curricular achievements it also believes strongly in a ‘sport for all’ philosophy and PE staff encourage all levels of ability to ensure that students fulfil their potential both in PE lessons and co-curricular activities. It is important that any new member of the team embrace this philosophy.

The successful candidate will balance a determined work ethic and strong academic rigour, with good humour, teamwork and positivity. All staff are expected to contribute fully to the wider life of the School and the co-curricular provision. The post holder will continue to meet, maintain, and build upon Teachers Standards. 

The role will primarily involve the teaching of Games and PE to students in Years 5 through to Year 13, alongside Academic PE. The successful candidate will be expected to lead a sports team each term, involving a minimum of three after school clubs a week, alongside taking fixtures every Saturday during term time. Coaching experience and or qualifications in cricket are essential, as is the ability to take one of our Rugby teams in the Autumn and Spring terms. Experience in leading a Cricket programme and coaching to First Team level is desirable. 

Applications from both ECTs and more experienced teachers who have a proven track record in coaching sports and Academic PE are welcome.

THE PERSON

The ideal candidate will

• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of own subject/curriculum area including current developments in teaching and learning
• Have QTS/PGCE qualification
• Have prior teaching experience at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
• Be an excellent classroom practitioner with evidence of good teaching skills, leading to consistently high standards of achievement
• Have Cricket and Rugby experience and or qualification  
• Be a team player, enthusiastic, confident and diligent.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues.
• Have a sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures.
• Develop creative and innovative teaching techniques
• Inspire staff and students through action.

A full list of Roles and Responsibilities can be found on the Information for Candidates advertised on the School's website.

This is a permanent full-time post and the post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. 

We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards;  

• Working with fantastic young students

• Working as part of a committed team

• Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

• Term time is 34 weeks

• Discount on School Fees for permanent members of staff

• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym

• Support for your continuous professional development 

• Lunch provided during term time

A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Headmaster via Cheryl Wallace (Personnel Manager).

To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 21st February at 9.00am.