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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the Physical Education department, creating an inclusive curriculum for all students.
- Company: Sancton Wood School, a thriving independent school in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, outstanding professional development, and a supportive community.
- Other info: Join a warm, collaborative environment focused on student success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' physical activity and sports engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in teaching PE and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 65000 £ per year.
Sancton Wood School is a successful and thriving independent school in the heart of Cambridge. We are pleased to invite applications to join our developing Physical Education team in our Senior School as an experienced Head of Physical Education from September 2026, teaching years 7 to 11.
The Role
- Lead the Physical Education department across all phases (Nursery to Year 11), ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and pupil achievement.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a progressive and inclusive PE curriculum that maximises use of Cambridge’s outstanding university and city sports facilities.
- Inspire pupils of all abilities to participate and excel in physical activity, sport, and competition.
- Raise the profile of sport and physical activity within the school and local community.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee a whole-school PE curriculum that is innovative, inclusive, and meets the needs of all pupils from Nursery to Year 11.
- Provide effective leadership, mentoring, and professional development to PE staff, supporting them to develop specialisms and excellent teaching practice.
- Identify and create pathways for talented pupils to access specialist coaching and competitive opportunities at local, city, regional and national levels.
- Coordinate the use of external sports facilities, ensuring high-quality provision for lessons, clubs, and competitions.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with local universities, city sports providers, and community organisations.
- Design, lead, and promote a broad extracurricular and inter‑school competition programme.
- Showcase pupil strengths and successes and drive the development of competitive teams and specialist coaching within the department.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report on pupil progress, department performance, and the impact of PE provision across the school.
- Contribute to the wider life of the school as an enthusiastic member of the pastoral and academic team.
Our Ethos
Our school offers small teaching classes and our focus on pastoral care and commitment to developing outstanding relationships with our students and their families ultimately leads to our good academic outcomes. This culture enables our pupils to flourish, achieve strong academic outcomes and develop curiosity, confidence and independence.
We offer
- A competitive salary
- Outstanding CPD development opportunities
- A warm, collaborative and forward‑looking school community
Safeguarding
Sancton Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
Head of Physical Education employer: Dukes Education Group
Contact Detail:
Dukes Education Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Physical Education
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved in physical education. Attend local sports events or educational conferences to meet potential colleagues and showcase your passion for PE.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sancton Wood School thoroughly. Understand their ethos and how you can contribute to their vision of developing outstanding relationships with students and families. Tailor your responses to reflect their values!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've mentored staff or developed innovative PE programmes in the past. Highlight any successful partnerships you've built with local sports providers or universities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community and contributing to the vibrant life at Sancton Wood School.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Physical Education
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for PE: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Physical Education shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you to inspire students in sport and physical activity.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We want to see how you can lead our PE department and contribute to our school community!
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved PE programmes or inspired students in the past to demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dukes Education Group
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the PE curriculum from Nursery to Year 11. Be ready to discuss how you would design, implement, and evaluate a progressive and inclusive programme that caters to all abilities. This shows your commitment to high standards and pupil achievement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively led a team or mentored staff in the past. Highlight your experience in developing teaching practices and creating pathways for talented pupils. This will demonstrate your capability to inspire and elevate the Physical Education department.
✨Engage with the Community
Think about how you can build partnerships with local universities and sports providers. Be ready to share ideas on how you would raise the profile of sport within the school and the local community. This shows you understand the importance of collaboration and community engagement.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Extracurricular Activities
Prepare to talk about your vision for extracurricular and inter-school competitions. Share any innovative ideas you have for promoting physical activity and competition among pupils. This will highlight your enthusiasm and commitment to fostering a vibrant sports culture.