Head of Netball (Teacher of Sport & Exercise or Specialist Netball Coach)

SpEx teachers and coaches support the delivery of a pupil-centred programme which unlocks potential by exposing individuals to experiences and opportunities which guide them towards an outcome that they are invested in. Key to this is the unique way in which Sport and Exercise interact in each part of the programme. Specialist teachers and coaches are used to deliver SpEx across all age phases of the foundation and implement a curriculum which supports, challenges and inspires every pupil. SpEx teachers and coaches are expected to support the delivery of a variety of sports across the academic year, sometimes leading on a sport that is not their specialism.

The Head of Netball will be responsible for implementing the netball programme across the whole school, acting as a pedagogical expert in coaching and developing youth netball. The development plan for netball will include supporting colleagues, improving their knowledge, and coaching. Liaising with the SpEx Management Team, the Head of Netball will review the current offering at Highgate, creating a strategy to continue to develop Highgate Netball in terms of participation, performance, and enjoyment.

• Curriculum Development: Lead on the review, development, delivery, and management of the Senior School curricular and extra-curricular netball programmes (Year 7 to Year 13), promoting the vision and aims of Sport and Exercise at Highgate. Support Pre-Prep and Junior School Heads of Sport and Exercise in curriculum development. Maintain a knowledge of relevant curricular developments in youth sport and apply these appropriately to the evolution of the netball programme. Implement the netball curriculum ensuring clear pupil outcomes, progression, and parity of experience. Produce a curricular overview from which staff can design individual lessons and sessions.
• Pupil Development: Ensure clear guidance for pupils and parents in netball, regarding fixtures, lessons, training, and selection. Develop and foster a culture of willingness to support each other, officials, and the school. Keep abreast of developments within youth netball including how other organisations are currently working and player pathways. Develop opportunities for small group sessions, for the improvement of high-performance players and school teams. Support the long-term athlete development of those involved in the netball programme and identify key athletic development areas required in netball at Highgate.
• Staff Development: Develop and present to colleagues a clear vision of the way netball should be played at Highgate. Ensure all colleagues understand the agreed aims and objectives for the development of netball and work to promote our ethos and values to pupils, parents, and fellow colleagues. Work with the Head of Senior School Sport to oversee netball staffing for teams, sports afternoons, fixtures, and practices to ensure the smooth operation of curricular and extra-curricular programmes. Oversee session plan design, supporting colleagues with recent developments in coaching and officiating. Review, appraise and consider the needs of colleagues, supporting with internal professional development and suggestions for external courses. Plan and lead regular netball staff meetings to update colleagues and receive feedback, which will, in turn, support the development of the programme.
• Competition: Liaise with the Head of Senior School Sport to develop a progressive and challenging fixture programme for our pupils, which will form a major pillar of the long-term strategy for netball. Provide appropriate and competitive opportunities for midweek and weekend fixtures for netballers at a range of ability levels, as outlined by the Director of Sport and Exercise. Plan for and implement effective pre-season training and coaching, to support netball performance building into the Michaelmas term. Manage the netball sport pathway, ensuring parity of experience and access for all pupils. Retain oversight of pupil opportunities, at all levels of ability for both inter and intra-school netball. Foster effective relationships with key organisations to ensure Highgate’s representation in competitive youth sport. Maintain oversight of all logistics associated with netball, working closely with the Head Groundsman, the Old Cholmeleians and staff leaders in netball at opposition schools. Organise Inter-House/Inter-Form Competitions and Highgate tournaments, where deemed appropriate. Support the Head of Senior School Sport in attending, reviewing, and implementing sports tours.
• Management: Ensure all colleagues are keeping lesson, training, and fixture registers, including attaining important pupil information, for groups in their care. Co-ordinate risk assessments with the Head of Senior School Sport and ensure lessons and sessions are taught/coached in a safe environment, taking into account the individual needs of pupils.

The role will be carried out in addition to the post holder’s existing teaching/coaching position, with the appropriate timetable reductions.