IS·ITINERIS·DUICEM
Assistant Director of Sport Maternity cover
January 2027
Welcome
I am delighted that you have expressed an interest in joining Royal Russell.
A leading co-educational independent school in South London, Royal Russell is different by design. We are a family school and we value those things which make each of us distinctively brilliant. Our school motto is ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’ which translates as ‘not for oneself, but for all’, and from this, we make a commitment to help every member of our learning community strive for their vision of success.
Our beautiful, green campus offers exciting learning opportunities and first-class facilities for both pupils and staff to develop and flourish. Staff are dedicated to providing a total education and this is reflected in the outstanding academic outcomes of our pupils.
Openness and inclusiveness are integral to the Royal Russell experience and we encourage applications from all communities, so that our staff body reflects our ambitious, open, distinctive and courageous Royal Russell pupil body.
If you are interested in joining a forward looking and successful school, I look forward to receiving your application.
Chris Hutchinson Executive Head
Welcome from the Head of Senior School
As Head of Senior School, I am delighted that you are considering Royal Russell School as the next step in your professional journey.
Royal Russell is a school with ambition, but also with heart. Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside talented colleagues and remarkable young people who bring energy, curiosity and purpose to our community. Together, we strive to create an environment where every pupil is known, valued and encouraged to become the very best version of themselves.
Our aim is simple: to provide an exceptional education that prepares young people not only for examination success, but for meaningful and fulfilling lives. Academic excellence matters deeply to us, and we are proud of the achievements of our pupils. Equally important, however, is the development of character, confidence and compassion. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage, through service initiatives or in the outdoors, our students are challenged to discover their strengths, embrace new opportunities and contribute positively to the world around them.
What makes Royal Russell special is the quality of the relationships that underpin school life. Ours is a warm, inclusive and supportive community where pupils and staff alike are encouraged to flourish. We have high expectations, but we also understand the importance of kindness, collaboration and a genuine sense of belonging. Visitors often comment on the atmosphere of the school; it is something we are proud of and work hard to preserve.
The success of our pupils depends upon the dedication, expertise and commitment of our staff. We are therefore committed to creating an environment in which colleagues feel valued, supported and able to develop professionally. We invest in professional learning, encourage innovation and provide opportunities for staff to make a meaningful contribution to the wider life and strategic direction of the school.
We are looking for individuals who share our belief in the transformative power of education and who are excited by the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people. Whether you are an experienced professional or at an earlier stage in your career, I hope you will see Royal Russell as a place where you can grow, contribute and thrive.
Thank you for your interest in Royal Russell School. I hope this recruitment pack gives you a flavour of our community, our values and our aspirations. I look forward to receiving your application and, perhaps, welcoming you to Royal Russell in the future.
Sam Powell
Head of Senior School
Royal Russell School | Candidate Information Pack
Our School
Royal Russell is a HMC/IAPS co-educational school with over 1,200 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, situated on a beautiful green campus of 110-acres in South London, with a Junior School, Senior School and 200 pupil boarding community.
We are proud of our day and boarding facilities that rank amongst the best in the UK. Our pupils, parents and staff experience a warm and friendly environment with strong pastoral care for every pupil alongside a comprehensive co-curricular and enrichment programme. Royal Russell is proud to have achieved the highest grade of ‘excellent’ in every aspect during our most recent ISI Inspection.
Community Values
Royal Russell is a warm and thriving community of pupils, parents, staff, governors, Old Russellians, friends and supporters. We are bound together by our family ethos, a strong sense of pride in our school and a willingness to get involved.
By working together, supporting each other and having fun together, we have created a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Living by our motto ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’, we encourage the qualities and values of responsibility and giving - which make Royal Russell special.
We are committed to our responsibilities to our wider community - local, national and international. We encourage our pupils to contribute, participate and lead so that they can learn the skills and attributes needed to make a positive contribution to society, now and in the future.
Welcome to Sport
Sport and physical activity are an integral part of Royal Russell School.
They are valued and essential aspects of life for all pupils.
The school has a clear mission: to be an internationally recognised leader in Sport, Physical Education, and Physical Activity.
Our vision is to deliver a distinctive and ambitious provision that nurtures every pupil’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development, underpinned by an open and courageous commitment to lifelong health and physical activity.
Many of our pupils achieve representative honours at regional and national levels across multiple sports and regularly progress to high-performance and professional sport beyond school. Both teams and individuals compete successfully at the highest levels.
Sport at Royal Russell has always been outward-facing and innovative. We have partnerships with leading sports organisations, including several Premiership football clubs, ISFA, London Pulse Netball, Surrey Cricket, and Addiscombe Hockey. Work is also underway to expand these relationships with universities and sports organisations across the UK and internationally.
This is an exciting time for sports development at Royal Russell, and we are seeking an Assistant Director of Sport, Health & Ftiness to play a key role in our sports department.
James Ingle Director of Sport, Health and Fitness
Assistant Director of Sport, Health & Fitness
As Assistant Director of Sport, Health and Fitness, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading Academic PE at Royal Russell School, overseeing at least one of our highly successful GCSE PE, BTEC Sport, and Core PE programmes. As a key member of the department’s leadership team, you will work in close partnership with the Director of Sport, Health and Fitness to drive strategic development, inspire excellence, and further enhance our outstanding sporting provision.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and support colleagues, with responsibility for line managing members of the department and mentoring PGCE and/or ECT trainees as they develop their teaching practice and professional expertise.
We are seeking an outstanding and inspirational teacher with excellent subject knowledge and a passion for delivering exceptional learning experiences. The successful candidate will ideally have a proven track record of success teaching PE at GCSE and/or BTEC National Level 3 Sport, with the ability to motivate, challenge, and inspire students to achieve their full potential.
In addition to excellent teaching skills, you should be passionate about coaching in one or more of our core sports (football, netball, hockey, cricket)and committed to supporting teams and individuals to succeed at all levels.
Sport and physical education sit at the heart of life at Royal Russell School. You will join a thriving and ambitious department of 35 staff, led by our dynamic Director of Sport, Health and Fitness and comprising sector‑leading teachers, experienced practitioners, and former professional athletes. Together, we share a commitment to creating exceptional opportunities for every pupil and fostering a culture where students are inspired to compete, develop, and achieve their potential at the very highest level.
Our exceptional on-site facilities include:
- 6 full-size grass football pitches (1 floodlit)
- An Olympic‑standard floodlit hockey pitch
- 3 floodlit all-weather courts for netball and 15 courts for tennis
- A large, well‑equipped sports hall with two separate activity spaces
- A strength and conditioning suite
- 4 lane 25m indoor swimming pool
- 2 cricket wickets with ample outdoor and indoor cricket nets
Learning and Curriculum
Deliver outstanding lessons using a range of teaching strategies and resources, including digital learning, which meet pupils’ needs and are designed to raise levels of attainment
Deliver high quality learning and teaching in an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum that inspires pupils with a love of the subject
Deliver lessons in accordance with the department’s schemes of work, as indicated by the timetable prepared by the Deputy Head - Learning
Prepare and develop subject materials to ensure that the curriculum is up‑todate and in line with overall learning objectives
Use initiative and judgement to identify and adapt content of the teaching, level of depth and teaching method according to the needs of any particular group in line with their educational needs, including pupils with identified needs
Facilitate and encourage a learning experience that provides pupils with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential, developing ways to encourage, challenge and inspire pupils to apply new knowledge and understanding
Use a variety of teaching methods to stimulate learning appropriate to pupil needs and the demands of the programme of study
Monitor and support the overall progress and development of pupils, building on earlier attainment in order that they meet and exceed their learning objectives and make sustained progress
Learning and Curriculum (cont’d)
Track pupil attendance, progress, development and attainment on the School’s MIS system, ensuring that records are kept up‑to‑date and accurate at all times and use such information to inform learning and teaching, and pupil reports
Assess pupils in line with relevant examination body requirements and School procedures, giving written, verbal and diagnostic feedback as appropriate
Report on pupil progress according to the School’s assessment cycle
Attend all department and staff meetings promptly and contribute positively to areas under discussion
Attend parents’ evenings for each year group taught, ensuring that relevant information is communicated to parents and pupils
Teach such pupils and subjects outside the department as may be required by the Headmaster in accordance with the timetables, policies and schemes of work laid down by the School
Attend and support department trips and visits, including those abroad
Advise the Head of Department on resource needs and support the efficient and effective use of resources
Cover lessons for absent colleagues as directed
Take part in the teaching staff Professional Development Review process and engage with continuing professional development through the School’s Learning Together curriculum
Pastoral and General Responsibilities
Ensure the safety and well‑being of children and young people at the School by complying with the School’s Safeguarding (including Child Protection) Policy and Procedures at all times and taking appropriate action where necessary
Adhere at all times to Health & Safety legislation, and all departmental policies and procedures, to ensure their own safety and that of colleagues, pupils, and visitors
Comply with the Staff Code of Conduct
Be a House Tutor with responsibility for a group of pupils as directed, taking registration, ensuring full attendance at lessons and participation in all aspects of School life and promoting the general progress and well‑being of the tutor group
Create a positive culture of pupil welfare and behaviour including taking an active role in pastoral matters
Model high standards of dress, attendance and punctuality when on the school premises and in authorised school activities off site
Actively support and participate in the 6 day a week co‑curricular programme of the School, including regular Saturday fixtures
Supervise pupils as detailed in the Staff Supervision Rota
Attend and support evening events and activities within the annual calendar
Attend and contribute to Royal Russell Day, held annually on a Saturday
Attend and contribute to Open Day, held annually on a Saturday
Attend and support evening events and activities within the annual calendar
Attend all training and staff INSET sessions organised by the School
Carry out any other duties as requested by the Headmaster or members of the School Leadership Team
Our Offer
Royal Russell offers excellent benefits including a competitive salary on our own salary scale.
As part of the vibrant community at Royal Russell, you will join a friendly and dedicated team with easy access to transport links (Coombe Lane tram stop is opposite the School entrance).
In addition, we offer:
- Pension scheme and life insurance
- Three cooked meals in the dining hall during term‑time
- Social events throughout the year, including a Christmas party for all staff
- Cycle to work scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Octopus electric car scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Free on‑site parking
- Use of our on‑site sports facilities, including tennis courts, swimming pool and gym
- A discount of up to 50% on school fees (85% discount for wrap around care before and after school during term‑time) and a 25% discount with Royal Russell Holiday Club, which operates during school holiday periods.
Location: Our School is 10 minutes from East Croydon Train Station, with direct links to Central London (15 minutes) and Gatwick Airport (25 minutes).
Further Information
Full details of our staff benefits and recruitment procedures can be found on our school recruitment page at :
You can also contact us by email at or telephone HR on 020 8657 4433.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (including a check against the Children’s Barred List) and other pre‑employment screening including references and medical fitness.
Campus Map
Our 110-acre campus contains incredible facilities for learning.
- Boarding / Houses
- Swimming Pool
- Sports Hall
- Buchanan/Reade
- Cambridge
- Top Pitch
- Hollenden
- The Paddock
- Keable
- Netball Courts
- Latessa
- North Pitch
- Madden
- Astroturf Pitch
- Oxford
- MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area)
- Queen’s
- West Pitch
- St Andrew’s
- Pavilion
Royal Russell
Royal Russell School, Coombe Lane, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5BX
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