Head of PE

You will be instrumental in our vision: “At Ark Kings Academy, every individual will develop the character to thrive in life, education and employment.” We are seeking an exceptional Head of PE to lead our PE department and drive outstanding outcomes for students across all key stages. This is a pivotal leadership role for an ambitious and inspiring practitioner who is passionate about physical education, student wellbeing and academic excellence.

As Head of PE, you will be responsible for the strategic direction and day‑to‑day leadership of the department, ensuring the delivery of a high‑quality, inclusive and ambitious curriculum. You will foster a culture of high expectations, professional collaboration and continuous improvement, enabling all students to make excellent progress while developing lifelong habits of physical activity, resilience and teamwork. You will play a key role in shaping whole‑school culture through sport, enrichment and competition, while working closely with senior leaders, staff, students and families to strengthen our school community. You will contribute to a workplace culture which has safeguarding and child protection at its heart.

Benefits:

• Partnership with BCFC Foundation
• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale
• Twice as many training days as standard
• Generous pension scheme
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support
• Free soup in Autumn/Winter terms
• Free fruit in Spring/Summer terms

We are an all-through school serving the local community with pupils from Nursery - Year 11. Our mission is to create a school in which every child thrives, academically and socially. Over the past 2 years we have made remarkable progress, moving from an Inadequate Ofsted rating to a Good. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff with Ofsted commenting that pupils “understand the high expectations that staff have for them and strive to meet with”.

Behaviour: Our pupils know the school rules of ‘ready, respectful and safe’ and demonstrate these qualities in their behaviour towards each other and their teachers.

An ambitious curriculum: Our well‑sequenced curriculum, spanning early years to Year 11, ensures that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, receive a high‑quality education.

Reading strength: Our effective teaching strategies empower pupils to become fluent readers, setting them up for success in their academic journey.

Personal development: At Ark Kings Academy, we prioritize personal development, preparing our pupils for their future roles as responsible citizens.

Attendance: Our pupils and parents recognise the importance of high attendance, and at secondary, we sit above the national average.

Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.