Teacher of Sport and Exercise and Senior School Sport Coordinator

We are looking for a well-qualified, enthusiastic graduate with expertise in both Physical Education and in two of our Focus Sports (Netball, Football, Athletics, Cricket) to teach and coach pupils throughout the School on the Sport and Exercise (SpEx) programme. The successful candidate will have additional responsibilities for co-ordinating our Senior School Sport programme by supporting the work of our Head of Senior School Sport. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced teacher to play a key role in one of the largest departments at the school. The successful candidate will be joining a vibrant and forward thinking department, which has benefitted from significant recent investment in both staff and facilities. 

SpEx is a pupil-centred programme that unlocks their potential. By exposing pupils to different sporting experiences and opportunities, we guide them to outcomes in which they have a personal investment. Key to this is the unique way in which Sport and Exercise interact in each part of the programme. Specialist teachers and coaches are used to deliver SpEx at every stage, and implement a challenging curriculum for every pupil. 

Within the Sport aspect of this role, candidates will be expected to coach, manage and inspire boys and girls across the school in our focus sports. The successful candidate will take the lead of an ‘A’ team in either Football or Netball and then Athletics or Cricket in the summer term. Preference will be given to those with a proven record of higher level coaching experience in School, Club or Performance Sport. A commitment to extra-curricular practices and sports clubs is essential to ensure the quality of pupil experience. Candidates will have the imagination, drive, enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to challenge and support our pupils to make the most of their opportunities and ability. 

Highgate has a long tradition of sporting success on which we wish to build. Excellent links are already established with local sports clubs and performance pathways, and keenly contested House competitions are held in many sports, providing additional competitive opportunities for a significant number of pupils. Sports tours take place annually with Senior teams visiting Barbados and America, Middle School pupils travelling to Spain and Scotland, and Year 8 pupils travelling to Holland. The successful candidate will be expected to support the tours programme that runs each year in October half term. 

Our Exercise curriculum is designed to support pupils’ physical development through lessons that are focussed on developing physical literacy and movement competency planned through individualised programming. The concept of the Y7&8 Exercise curriculum is twofold. To give an “experience” of the type of activity at an appropriate level for the pupils in that group; secondly, to deliver a key fitness theme from the following areas – Conditioning; Strength & Power; SAQ; Movement, Mobility & Stability. Pupils’ physical literacy is developed through activities including Dance, Gymnastics, Aquatics, Athletics, Eton Fives and Running. In the Year 9 & 10 curriculum, teachers are allocated small classes based on a pupil’s sporting pathway where the objective is to better understand and respond to the individual’s physical requirements in relation to their chosen Sport. Strength & Conditioning forms much of the teaching in this area and staff assess and report on pupils’ sport-specific physical progress throughout the year. 

The successful candidate would be expected to contribute to our shared ethos, which is an innovative re-thinking of school-based Sport and Exercise, be knowledgeable about recent developments in Sport and Exercise and show a commitment to being involved in the future evolution of the programme. An experience of Strength & Conditioning and Youth Physical Literacy would be an advantage. 

Co-ordinating the Senior School Sport programme is an exciting and challenging responsibility and the ability to be exceptionally organised is essential. The post would involve supporting the Head of Senior School Sport by dealing with the logistical arrangements for senior school sport; financial tracking of budgets; management and allocation of staff; liaising with, and booking activities with our off-site providers; liaising with the finance office and payroll; assisting with the Senior School Sport options process.