The Director of Sport is responsible for providing leadership and management for Sport and Physical Education at Francis Holland School. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of an ambitious, inclusive and high-quality sporting programme for girls, ensuring an appropriate balance between participation, enjoyment and sporting excellence.

Description

Job Purpose

The Director of Sport is responsible for providing leadership and management for Sport and Physical Education at Francis Holland School. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of an ambitious, inclusive and high-quality sporting programme for girls, ensuring an appropriate balance between participation, enjoyment and sporting excellence. They will oversee both curricular and co-curricular provision and ensure that pupils of all abilities are given opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of sport.

The Director of Sport will lead and manage the Sports Department, including the Head of Curriculum PE, Head of Co-Curricular Sport, PE teachers, assistants and visiting coaches, fostering a positive and collaborative culture in which staff are supported, developed and held accountable for delivering consistently high standards.

The postholder will play a key role in promoting the value of sport and physical wellbeing within the School and ensuring that sport continues to contribute significantly to the wider life of the Francis Holland community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Development of Sport

• Lead the continued development of Sport and PE across the School.
• Support the delivery of the School’s vision and priorities through an ambitious and inclusive sporting programme.
• Develop departmental plans, policies and priorities, regularly evaluating the quality and impact of provision.
• Maintain an appropriate balance between competitive sport, recreational participation and physical wellbeing.
• Identify opportunities to broaden and strengthen sporting provision in response to pupil interests and developments within school sport.
• Promote a positive sporting culture based on participation, ambition, teamwork, resilience, fair play and respect.
• Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded within sporting provision and that pupils are encouraged and supported to participate regardless of ability or previous experience.
• Work closely with Francis Holland Prep to develop sporting provision across the two schools.

Leadership and Management of Staff

• Lead and develop the Sports Department.
• Provide effective line management, performance review and professional development opportunities, ensuring that all members of the team uphold the School’s expectations, policies and safeguarding requirements.
• Promote collaboration, accountability and the sharing of good practice.
• Foster effective communication and teamwork across the department.
• Keep staffing structures under review to support the effective delivery of curricular and co-curricular provision.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

• Lead, with the Head of Curriculum PE, the development and delivery of an inclusive, ambitious and engaging PE curriculum that includes excellent outcomes for PE GCSE.
• Promote high standards of teaching, learning and assessment across the department.
• Work with the Head of Curriculum PE to ensure appropriate curriculum progression and pupil development.
• Monitor the quality and impact of teaching and learning.
• Foster pupils’ confidence, leadership, teamwork, resilience and commitment to lifelong physical activity.

Co-Curricular Sport, Scholarships and Athlete Development

• Lead an extensive and inclusive co curricular sporting programme.
• Work with the Head of Co-Curricular Sport to oversee fixtures, competitions, clubs, tours and events.
• Ensure sporting opportunities are accessible to pupils of all abilities.
• Lead the School’s Sports Scholarship programme, including assessment and selection processes. sports scholars and high-performing athletes, ensuring sporting excellence is balanced with academic progress and pupil wellbeing.
• Coordinate the FHS High Performance Programme and associated enrichment opportunities.
• Liaise with pupils, families and external organisations to support athletic development.
• Build, develop and maintain productive relationships with Francis Holland Prep, Francis Holland Regent’s Park, other schools, clubs and sporting organisations to enhance opportunities for pupils.
• Promote and celebrate sporting participation and achievement across the School.

Operations, Facilities and Resources

• Oversee the effective administration and operation of the Sports Department.
• Manage facilities, equipment, resources and budgets effectively.
• Ensure the efficient organisation and communication of lessons, activities, fixtures and sporting events.
• Maintain appropriate policies, procedures and records.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of sporting facilities and provision.

Health, Safety, Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare

• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety are central to all sporting activities.
• Oversee risk assessment processes and safe working practices.
• Ensure staff, coaches, facilities and equipment meet required standards.
• Promote a culture that prioritises pupil welfare and wellbeing.

Wider School Responsibilities

The Director of Sport will:

• Contribute actively to the wider life and values of the School.
• Attend relevant meetings, training and professional development activities.
• Support School events and activities as required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the School.
• Represent the School at sporting fixtures, competitions and professional events as appropriate.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the Head.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant experience of leading sport, PE or physical activity within a school or comparable environment.
• An understanding of girls’ sport and working with girls to develop their sport.
• Experience of leadership and staff development.
• Strong knowledge of PE, coaching, athlete development and inclusive practice.
• Experience of developing curricular and co curricular sporting programmes.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, health and safety and pupil welfare.

Application

Only applications received via My New Term will be considered.

Close date: Monday 28th September at 08:00 Longlist: Friday 2nd October Shortlist: w/c Monday 5th October