Head of PE
Harrow
MPS/UPS +TLR
September 2025 start date
Full time / permanent
Would you want to work in a school where ‘100% of staff would recommend working here to a friend’ and where all our Early Career Teachers told OFSTED ‘they never feel overwhelmed by the job’?
We have the highest aspirations and expectations for young people. This means that university progression rates are excellent, there are lots of extra curricular activities and a full programme of school excursions. At the same time, behaviour in lessons and around the school is consistently excellent. Teachers can look forward to working with engaged, motivated, sensible classes and doing what they do best.
“learners with SEND and those who speak English as an additional language are well-supported." OFSTED 2023
Head of Department, PE - The Role
If you are successful, you will be joining a highly dedicated, and supportive PE department. The department is progressing with Yr 11 projections this year expected to be the best for some years with even higher outcomes projections at Yr 10. The department is ambitious in its growth over the next few years and the current teachers are very ambitious and driven. We follow the AQA Syllabus at KS4 and use the Seneca platform to set homework.
1. Purpose of the Job
The job exists to ensure high quality teaching and learning, planning, CPD and self-evaluation activities lead to outstanding provision in PE, enabling learners’ to enjoy, achieve and make a positive contribution.
2. Responsibilities
Line Management of the PE department with overall responsibility for KS4 outcomes.
Strategic Planning, Implementation & Monitoring of Applied Learning across the curriculum,
To be responsible for developing a curriculum that:
● Is broad and ambitious whilst being fully in line with the National Curriculum and whole school priorities
● Is carefully sequenced to enable learners to use knowledge and develop skills over time
● Is based around activities that incorporate a high level of stretch and challenge for all learners
● embeds the development of specific knowledge, the use of knowledge organisers and accompanying review activities
● identifies high quality challenging resources and is specific about their use in the delivery of the curriculum
● has clear strategies for scaffolding the work to ensure all learners are challenged and can achieve
● Is inclusive and representative of our community at Harrow High School
● makes excellent provision for all examination groups
● ensures learners are fully equipped to continue their studies at the next key stage/university
Qualifications and Experience:
● Qualified teacher status
● Degree
● Successful teaching experience with a history of achieving excellent outcomes
● Evidence of showing successful leadership (departmental or whole school) with positive impact/outcomes (desirable not essential)
● Evidence of completing CPD in leadership (desirable not essential)
Skills and Knowledge:
● Excellent understanding of the importance of safeguarding and a clear commitment to keeping learners safe by adhering to statutory and school safeguarding policies
● Excellent subject knowledge, including but not limited to, that required under the National curriculum or relevant GCSE Syllabus
● Excellent pedagogical skills and a strong commitment to continued development of these skills
● An excellent understanding of how children learn
● Clear commitment to the progress of all learners and the ability to adapt teaching to support this
● The ability to support teachers in adapting teachers skills to increase progress for learners
● Excellent working relationships with staff, learners and parents
● The ability to enhance teacher relationships to benefit departmental goals
● Excellent understanding of behaviour management strategies and a commitment to implementing school behaviour, safety and care policies
● Confident at using technology and digital platforms to enhance teaching, learning, and communication.
● Using technology and digital platforms to inform interventions.
● Ability to lead on interventions for examination years for underperforming groups of learners.
The ability to LM effectively and hold Key Stage leads accountable when required.
Personal Qualities:
● An unwavering commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school
● Excellent expectations for all learner’s attainment and progress
● Excellent commitment to professional development of self and others
● Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
● Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
Dedication to safeguarding and equality
We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. You will have a safeguarding responsibility if appointed.
The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service and employment will be subject to references.
This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.