Salary
United Learning Pay Scale
Contractual hours
37.5
Basis
Full Time
Region
Reigate
Date posted
18/12/2025
Job reference
REQ004435
The Sports Department
Sport is an integral part of both the school's curricular and co-curricular offering. The school vision is to continue to develop a school sporting programme that harbours a passion and enjoyment of participation in sport, and playing as part of a team, that will be carried forward beyond school life.
All students undertake a weekly afternoon games session, as well as an additional 55 minutes of curriculum PE at KS3. These sessions are then supplemented with clubs and training sessions which take place before and after school, and a full programme of competitive opportunities on a Saturday. Our termly sports are football, netball and cricket for girls, and rugby, football and cricket for boys. Fixtures are played against other schools during Games afternoons and on Saturday mornings in our core sports together with swimming, athletics and tennis. This programme is staffed by a combination of teaching staff and specialist coaches. There is also a recreational club on Saturday mornings for those who wish to participate in sport and conditioning but are not in a school team.
The school is regularly selected as one of the UK's top 100 senior cricket schools, recognised for its outstanding facilities, coaching and programme of fixtures. The school has collaborations with Dorking Wanderers FC, Old Reigatians RFC, Merstham and Salford's Cricket Clubs, as well as internationally recognised sports professionals in netball, football and rugby.
The Role
It is an exciting time for sport at Dunottar as the school continues to grow and we are looking to appoint an inspiring Director of Sport to lead this successful department into the next phase of its development. With being granted permission to increase our roll to 600 students, there is an outstanding opportunity to build on the excellent work of the current post holder and to develop further the school's distinctive sporting culture. The school strongly believes that participation for all and high standards can, and should, coexist and we expect the successful candidate to have the drive, determination and well-developed interpersonal skills to ensure that is the case.
The Director of Sport will be responsible for the vision, strategic direction and management of sport. You will be committed to providing high-quality sporting opportunities and experiences for all students and for ensuring that each and every one develops physical literacy and a strong exercise habit. You will lead the department and have responsibility for developing staff to achieve their potential.
GCSE and A-level Physical Education are popular subjects beyond Year 9 and take up of GCSE is strong and increasing every year, with some continuing to A level, whilst others participate in the accredited Sports Leaders Programme. We are also looking to introduce BTEC PE for September 2026. The Director of Sport will provide dynamic leadership and support to the Head of Academic Physical Education to ensure excellent academic results are achieved whilst maintaining the high profile of curriculum Physical Education at the school. You will develop and enhance performance pathways for our sports scholars and ensure that our Warrior Learner behaviours of aspiration, creativity, curiosity, tenacity, independence, collaboration and inclusivity are thoroughly embedded in all aspects of learning and sports development.
To enhance pupils' experience of the subject, we also organise a number of sports tours which you would be expected to lead or participate in, as well as the thriving co-curricular programme.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Sport will be expected to fulfil the usual professional responsibilities of a teacher at Dunottar including:
* A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, including best practice in pastoral support and student welfare.
* High expectations for pupil attainment, personal development, and conduct.
* Being an excellent classroom practitioner who consistently delivers engaging, well-structured lessons that inspire students.
Operational
* Line manage and develop the Assistant Director of Sport; Directors of Rugby, Football, Netball and Cricket; and the Head of Academic PE, ensuring alignment with United Learning professional standards.
* Work closely with the Assistant Director of Sport to ensure clarity of strategic vision and efficient teamwork.
* Meet weekly with the Deputy Head of Operations to discuss co-curricular sport progress.
* Hold weekly departmental meetings and share agendas with Deputy Heads.
* Meet regularly with the Estates and Facilities team to maintain and manage facility operations.
* Coordinate the annual sporting calendar (lessons, clubs, fixtures).
* Attend regular calendar meetings for scheduling fixtures and events.
* Work with the Director of Co-curricular to maintain ambitious, broad provision.
* Develop and enhance Sixth Form sports options.
* Develop training programmes for teams and elite sports scholars.
* Coordinate and lead annual departmental events (Sports Day, Scholarship Days).
* Implement courses leading to coaching awards for staff and students.
* Liaise with Deputy Head of Operations on timetable dispositions.
* Establish systems for monitoring and evaluating sport progress.
* Develop links with external agencies, clubs, and associations.
Business and Marketing
* Manage the relationship with our school sports kit supplier to ensure that staff and students are always well-presented.
* Work closely with marketing and admissions to showcase Dunottar sport.
* Manage the departmental budget, ensuring cost-effective spending.
* Seek out new partnerships with shared aims and values to promote the school.
* Organise and promote an outreach programme run by the PE department and coaching staff.
* Coordinate trips and tours in line with strategic vision.
* Be involved in renewal of contracts with key stakeholders to ensure best return on investment.
Staff Performance and Development
* Lead on probation, appraisal, and professional development for all members of the department, focusing on its impact on student outcomes.
* Set an example by coaching and teaching across all sports to the highest standard.
* Ensure all relevant processes are followed and completed for any early career teachers (ECTs), or PGCE teachers, under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team.
* Conduct regular learning walks (at least once a half-term) identifying best practice to share at Department meetings.
* Ensure each year group's training plans and competitive calendar are fully prepared before each academic year, with an emphasis on differentiated student learning outcomes and continuous progression.
* Conduct a formal lesson observation of all staff once a year.
* Intervene swiftly where there are concerns around staff performance in line with job descriptions and progress against development planning priorities, liaising with the Senior Leadership Team where appropriate.
* Develop a sense of teamwork throughout the department through the effective delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
* Ensure the appropriate provision and attendance of staff at both twilight CPD sessions and external professional development.
* Ensure that all staff in the department engage with teaching and coaching across year groups and across sports, to further their own subject knowledge and expertise.
* Work closely with senior leaders on the recruitment process for sports related staff, ensuring that the process is fully compliant with safeguarding requirements.
Managing Student Experiences and Outcomes
* Evaluate and implement the most effective teaching and coaching strategies to maximise learning and progress.
* Meet throughout the year with your line manager and Head of Academic PE, to discuss and agree performance targets for the department, and intervention strategies being employed to achieve them.
* Work closely with the marketing department to ensure departmental achievements are recognised and celebrated, including use of the Honours Boards, and School Colours.
* Coordinate a programme of high challenge, aspirational, competitive experiences for students that facilitate the continuing development of the programme.
* Use SOCS and student/parent questionnaires to gather data on student progress to inform intervention and support where required.
* Maintain relentlessly high expectations, managing students whose attitude, learning or behaviour is giving any teacher or coach cause for concern.
* Work closely with pastoral teams to ensure that students are meeting expectations, challenging underperformance robustly when identified.
* Ensure all staff are aware of and implement appropriate strategies for students' individual needs, including SEND, medical or pastoral contexts, as well as stretching the more able scholars.