Headington Rye Oxford Prep School is a vibrant and welcoming school set in 12 acres of playing fields and grounds. In an environment where individuals come first, Headington Rye Oxford is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, pastoral support and an impressive range of extra-curricular opportunities.
This is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to be a part of the strategic vision for the future of sport in our recently merged co-educational Prep School. He/she will be a dynamic and enthusiastic individual, supporting the Director of Sport in motivating all those within the Headington Rye Oxford Prep School community to ensure maximum participation in sport and physical activity. The new PE teacher will be a gifted and experienced teacher, innovative thinker and confident practitioner. As a member of a successful team of teachers, coaches and parent volunteers he/she will be able to contribute to the continued success of this outstanding department. He/she will have the skills and ability to teach pupils from Early Years to Year 6.
The successful candidate will make regular contributions to the co-curricular life of the School, through involvement in the full sporting programme, extra-curricular clubs, fixtures, residential/day trips and House events.
Sport is a big part of the Headington Rye Oxford Prep identity. We offer outstanding teaching and coaching for all pupils and ensure that competitive opportunities in a range of sports are available. The PE teacher will work with the department to support and develop teams and individuals to perform at a highly competitive level, locally, regionally and nationally.
Our aim is for the pupils to enjoy sport and physical activity and to realise its importance and positive impact in every area of their lives. We therefore aim to offer an extensive and varied range of sporting activities that take place before, during and after the school day. The School is looking to further expand its hugely successful sports programme which includes Football, Cricket, Hockey, Swimming, Netball and Athletics.
Role Description
This is a full-time, permanent position starting in September 2025
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
* work with the Director of Sport to form a strategic programme for the development of sport and physical activity provision at Headington Rye Oxford Prep School
* contribute to the sport co-curricular strategy across the School
* strive for excellence in teaching and learning, supporting and enhancing the department in the delivery of a successful and inclusive programme of sport and physical activity
* contribute to the writing and implementation of a PE Development Plan
Participation, inclusion and breadth of provision
* in line with the PE Department’s systems, monitor and manage pupil engagement in sport and physical activity throughout their time at school
* ensure that there is an appropriate balance between elite provision and participation opportunities for all pupils, including access to staff and facilities
* be actively involved in the effective organisation of home and away fixtures and house competitions to support and enhance our competitive sport programme
* work with the Director of Sport in the organisation/leading of whole school sporting events including Sports Days
* work with the Director of Sport to ensure that the sporting successes of all pupils are celebrated appropriately
* willingness to be involved in the planning and running of a school ski trip
Teaching and Coaching
* maintain high standards of Teaching and Learning within all sport and physical activity sessions
* contribute to and teach in line with the department’s scheme of work
* continually model good practice by teaching PE and Games lessons to a consistently high standard
* demonstrable awareness of different pupils’ educational needs with the ability to adapt teaching and learning appropriately ensuring progress and challenge for all
* coach pupils of all abilities and ages across a range of sports
* manage sports teams throughout the academic year across a range of sports, including team practices and fixtures that may sometimes take place at the weekend
* cover lessons both within and outside the department
Communication and Liaison
* be aware of both long term goals and short term logistics
* attend and contribute to regular departmental and school staff meetings
* liaise with the School’s sports coaches
* with the Director of Sport, work with the Communications Manager and Director of Marketing and Admissions to promote the school and its sporting successes
* work closely with the Director of Sport to develop meaningful links with outside sports clubs with the aim of improving sport and physical activity provision for our pupils
* work closely with the Director of Sport regarding potential sport scholars
* communicate to parents about their child’s progress though attendance at parents’ evenings and writing reports
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
* A good honours degree relevant to the teaching aspects of the role
* A recognised teaching qualification
Personal Attributes and Skills
* passionate about Sport
* teamplayer, a committed member of the PE community
* alongside Football and Cricket, expertise in other sports, for example, Hockey, Swimming, Athletics and Netball
* excellent communicator (oral and written), good interpersonal and listening skills
* ability to influence and persuade at all levels
* good time management and organisational skills
* ability to use initiative
* patience and a sense of humour
* ability to demonstrate good IT skills and constructive use of other technology
* enthusiastic about PE, flexible and calm under pressure
* a genuine desire to contribute to the wider life of the School, with the ability, skills and experience to contribute to the School’s Co-curricular programme
* a sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Full-time, permanent, starting September 2025
Pension
The School will comply with its legal obligations in relation to the provision of access to a pension scheme.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change from time to time, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for students attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
The remuneration package
Headington Rye Oxford offers an enhanced teaching scale with points that equate to teaching experience and a leadership scale for responsibility. The salary offered will reflect the experience of the successful candidate and be commensurate with the post.
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir.Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
* Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
* We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
* If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Application deadline: Please apply immediately
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy, you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.
Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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