HEAD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION & GAMES FOR SEPTEMBER 2017
The History of Barnard Castle School Barnard Castle School has its roots in the medieval past and its eyes set firmly on the future of its children. The School traces its origins back to the nearby Hospital of St John, which was an educational and religious community established by John Balliol in 1229. John Balliol also established Balliol College in Oxford and his passion for learning remains central to our philosophy today. In 1883 with a gift from Benjamin Flounders, a Victorian philanthropist, and the proceeds of St John s Hospital, the present main School building was constructed.
The School Barnard Castle School is a warm, friendly, busy and purposeful School which fosters strong senses of community and endeavour. A coeducational school for pupils aged 11-18, it has its own Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 4-11, situated on an adjacent site. There are 525 pupils in the Senior School and a further 200 in the Prep School. The Sixth Form currently numbers 150 pupils. While academic achievement lies at the heart of what we do, as a Christian foundation we never forget the importance of fostering mutual respect and decency amongst our pupils. We believe that all our children have something to offer, and we are driven by a desire to find areas where each of them can excel. Every week we offer an extensive programme of over 100 extra-curricular activities, many of which reinforce skills in existing sports and introduce new ones. The School accepts both day pupils and boarders, the latter currently numbering around 16o. Boarding is largely British with a small number of overseas students, particularly in the Sixth Form. The School is situated in its own extensive grounds on the outskirts of an historic market town in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is well-resourced and enjoys an enviable reputation for its pupils achievements on a broad variety of fronts. It is also in proximity to and enjoys close relationships with departments in the universities of Durham, York and Newcastle. Continuous improvement and investment have produced a number of new buildings, including this year a state of the art Sixth Form Centre which is helping to transform the way in which Sixth Form students study. The School was inspected by ISI in January 2016. It was described as: a well-managed and well-resourced school which is professional and forward-looking in outlook and which has high aims for all its pupils, but which still encapsulates the traditionally unpretentious ethos of this immensely busy, friendly and happy boarding and day school. The inspection was accompanied by an overwhelmingly positive parental survey, expressing support and satisfaction with the School. Further details about Barnard Castle School may be found on the School s web-site www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk.
The Position The Headmaster seeks to appoint an outstanding applicant as Head of Academic PE and Games. The successful candidate will be responsible for the continuing development of a thriving, successful and wellresourced department. He or she will also contribute to the work of the Heads of Department Committee and thus will make an important contribution to general planning and direction. The position includes responsibility for providing stimulating, inclusive and highly effective Games and PE lessons throughout the school The successful applicant will work closely with the Director of Sport and a team of well-qualified and enthusiastic staff to deliver the vision and continue the development of sport and PE in the School. While many of the position s requirements are outlined in this document, consideration will be given to the particular strengths of the successful applicant. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious candidate to gain a significant managerial appointment in a School with a national sporting reputation.
Games at Barnard Castle School Sport in general forms an important part of the character of the School. It is well-resourced and staffed under the leadership of a Director of Sport. Timetabled Games training for all years takes place twice weekly in addition to team practices. Fixtures are played largely on Saturday afternoons, but occasionally mid-week, and involve as many children as possible in a range of competitive sports. Main team games in Michaelmas Term are rugby and girls hockey. In Lent Term they are netball, boys hockey and rugby sevens. In Trinity Term we play tennis, rounders, cricket and athletics. Each year children achieve representative honours at county, regional and national levels. In addition to main team sports, enthusiastic and competitive senior football, squash, cross country and swimming are available. Games are staffed by a core of well-qualified coaches in each discipline and enthusiastic members of the Common Room who are actively encouraged and facilitated to gain recognized qualifications. Children are further supported by a dedicated strength and conditioning coach with the resource of an excellent fitness suite for personal training. Outline plans have been produced for a new Sports Hub which will include seminar and hospitality facilities and new changing rooms.
The Physical Education Department AQA specifications are studied for both GCSE and A-Level PE. Teaching by a departmental team of 7 academic staff typically takes place adjacent to the School s Sports Hall, which is used for many of the practical elements of the courses. Results at GCSE and A-Level have been very good and there are always several candidates who aspire to study a closely-related course at university. Results in recent years have been very good and in 2016 at GCSE, of 14 candidates, results were as follows: A*-C: 93% A*/A: 57% At A-Level 12 candidates in 2016 achieved: A*-E: 92% A*-B: 25%
Tough times don t last, but tough blokes do Brendon McCullum on Eoin Morgan
Job Description for Head of PE & Games REPORTING TO: DIRECTOR OF STUDIES & DIRECTOR OF SPORT Overall expectation 1. To set the strategic direction throughout the school for the development of the PE Department and Games 2. To promote the study of PE and enthusiastic participation in Games among pupils 3. To promote excellent teaching, learning and coaching throughout the school 4. To line-manage teaching and coaching staff within the department Key Areas of Responsibility 1. Strategic Direction and Development To establish and promote departmental policies, in line with statutory requirements, whole school policies and best practice on such areas as safeguarding, safety, differentiation, independent learning, gifted and talented, assessment and prep To keep the Departmental Handbook under review and to ensure that an up to date copy is available for all staff in the department at the start of each academic year To complete the departmental review of external exam results annually To establish development plans for the subject and monitor progress in achieving them To establish a clear, shared understanding of the importance and role of the subject in contributing to pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development To communicate and co-operate with other departments, including sharing good practice To keep abreast of academic developments in the subject area To attend and contribute to Heads of Department and other meetings as required
2. Teaching and Learning To establish high standards for teaching and learning within the department To assist in the evaluation and appraisal of members of the Department To coordinate mutual lesson observations within and beyond the Department To coordinate regular work scrutiny exercises within the Department To ensure at the start of each academic year that appropriate schemes of work and any supporting documentation are produced and made available for all staff in the department and to monitor application To keep schemes of work under review To analyse examination results and to review teaching and learning in the light of those results To encourage innovative and imaginative curriculum work To coordinate the setting and marking of internal examination Papers To ensure that the department offers enrichment activities for those particularly able, gifted and talented and/or interested in the subject To maintain the departmental pages of the school intranet and website
3. Leading and Managing To promote a positive atmosphere in the department which enables all staff to develop and maintain an enthusiastic and confident attitude To manage the allocation of staff for effective and productive Games lessons To support the development and induction of PGCE students, GTP trainees, NQT candidates, Graduate Sports Coaches and new teachers, liaising with the Induction Coordinator To conduct appraisals of staff line-managed by the HoD at appropriate intervals and to maintain appropriate records To support departmental staff s professional development as appropriate with recommended courses, mutual lesson observation, guidance and, if appropriate, performance management measures in consultation with the Director of Studies To advise the Director of Studies and Director of Sport of departmental training needs To help colleagues, where appropriate, in the development of classroom management or coaching strategies To keep a record of any complaints that are received from pupils or parents and to investigate and, when appropriate, to act upon these in consultation with the Director of Studies and Director of Sport except in cases to which the Child Protection Policy applies To keep clear academic records of all pupils, including internal assessments, examinations and external examination results To provide accurate and timely entries for external exams to the Exams Officer To hold regular minuted departmental meetings To attend GCSE and Sixth Form Results Days in August to provide advice to candidates and parents or, if unavailable, to ensure that a competent member of the department will be present to do so To advise the Headmaster on the appointment of new staff
4. Efficient and Effective Deployment of Resources To produce timetable requirements in consultation with the Director Studies and Director of Sport To prepare the annual budget and operate within its means To ensure that rooms, furniture, equipment, wall displays, etc. are maintained to a high standard in order to create an effective and stimulating environment To oversee the issue and return of books etc. to pupils, maintaining stock appropriately To liaise with the Librarian over book orders and Library requirements for the subject To manage the purchasing of all Games equipment To manage the allocation of facilities to Games staff Liaise with relevant people regarding the organisation of Activities To manage the allocation of facilities for the Activities Programme, ensuring a suitably meaningful and popular balance of physical, social and cerebral activities To ensure that risk assessments are completed and Health and Safety standards are monitored for PE and Games lessons
In order to meet the high standards expected of a leading professional in our School, the Headmaster is seeking to employ a person with the following qualities, experience, skills and abilities. Essential Criteria: A good honours degree Evidence of being an excellent teacher Proven ability and qualifications in coaching at least one of the School s main Games to a high level Leadership qualities, including energy, resilience and the ability to enthuse and motivate others A record of and commitment to continuing professional development Clear and effective communication skills in different media A good understanding of effective coaching, teaching, learning and assessment in relation to raising pupils attainment An ability to relate well to colleagues and children Approachability, accessibility and flexibility The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the school community and local, regional and national sports bodies High levels of organisation Desirable Criteria A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research Experience of external examination An excellent health and attendance record Knowledge of the requirements and operation of ISI in terms of teaching, learning and assessment Sympathy with the Christian values of the School and the nature of working in a boarding environment Evidence of leadership and management of people, resources, innovation and improvement Evidence of good management, which incorporates detailed planning, successful implementation and effective monitoring and evaluation of strategies
Terms As well as working in a beautiful and collegial environment, teachers at Barnard Castle School benefit from remuneration on the School s own pay scale and are enrolled in the Teachers Pension Scheme. All full-time staff are provided with 50% fee remission for children. Applications If you feel that you can meet these requirements then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School Application Form and a CV, if desired, to the Headmaster by 9.00am on Monday 13th March 2017. A CV is not required, but may be submitted at the discretion of the applicant. Applicants may telephone to discuss matters relating to the advertised post with the Headmaster or Director of Sport. Applications should be sent to the address overleaf.
Contact The Headmaster Barnard Castle School Barnard Castle Co Durham DL12 8UN e-mail: genoffice@barneyschool.org.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1833 696067 www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk