Head of Curriculum Physical Education (PE)

Head of Curriculum Physical Education (PE)
Job Description & Person Specification
September 2026

Responsible to:

Head of Natural Sciences

Line manages:

Allocated PE staff

Job Overview

Duties and
Responsibilities:

The Head of Curriculum PE leads, inspires and manages the academic curriculum for Physical
Education. They ensure that pupils have access to a broad and balanced PE curriculum, and
achieve the highest standards, particularly at GCSE. They take full responsibility for the GCSE
PE Schemes of Work (SoW) and ensure they are in line with Dulwich Cranbrook’s ethos of
developing the individual, targeting high value added.  They also work collaboratively with
the wider PE team to ensure that SoW in Years 7-11 are coherent, easy to access, and
introduce knowledge and skills that are later examined at GCSE.

Alongside leading Curriculum PE, the post holder will be expected to teach an additional
subject (e.g. Science) to contribute to the broader curriculum and ensure a full teaching
timetable.

Strategic Direction and Development


In collaboration with other Heads of Sections (e.g. Head of Boys Games), create and
communicate a shared vision within the Department, which expresses the core values of
the whole school, is responsive to individual subject factors, and motivates and inspires
the wider Department.

  Translate the whole school vision into agreed objectives within the Department, and

include these in the department’s annual development plan, in collaboration with other
Heads of Sections.

  Chair items at departmental meetings, where minutes are taken, and ensure the follow-

up of all action points.

  To maintain a high profile for the Department in the School with colleagues, pupils and

parents.

Teaching & Learning
  To lead, support and manage teaching and learning, including leading on SoW.
  Promote excellence and innovation in teaching and learning in the Department, ensuring

a continuous and consistent focus on pupils’ achievement and
development, acknowledging the need for adaptive teaching.

  Ensure the curriculum is innovative, appropriate to the age and stage of the pupils, and

informed by current knowledge and best practice.

  Work with the Head of Natural Sciences and Head of Senior Section to ensure that
assessment, recording and reporting procedures at GCSE contribute to improved
outcomes.

  Ensure pupil progress is effectively tracked against agreed benchmarks and oversee the

intervention strategies which result from analysis of the data.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.  You may also be required to
undertake such other comparable duties as required from time to time.



Lead by example in the Department, especially with regard to planning for pupil
engagement, effective and reflective teaching and learning and high expectations of self
and others.

  Ensure communication to parents about GCSE is clear and regular. This includes overall

responsibility for the use of Google Classroom and iNet.

  Teach an additional subject (e.g. Science) as part of a full teaching timetable.

Leadership and Management of Self and Others
  To contribute towards an ethos of shared responsibility, positivity and proactivity within

the PE team

  Contribute to recruiting, inducting, developing, deploying, motivating and appraising

staff to ensure that they have clear expectations of their roles, and that high standards
are achieved and maintained.

  Celebrate and promote excellence in the Department, and challenge under-performance

with appropriate action (in consultation with the SMT).

  Undertake performance reviews for some PE staff in the Department on an annual basis.

Management of Resources


Identify future resourcing needs and aspirations for the Department for consideration in
the School budget planning process, in consultation with Head of Natural Sciences.

Training and Development of Self and Others
  Develop and maintain a culture of high expectation for self and others within the

Department.

  As a lead professional, regularly review own practice, set personal targets and take

responsibility for own continuous professional development.

  Ensure that training needs within the Department are identified, particularly in relation

to exam board, and appropriately met.

  Ensure that best practice is regularly shared within the Department, making the most of

the expertise and strengths of our staff.

  Ensure that induction arrangements are in place for all new staff, to make them feel

welcomed and appropriately briefed to undertake their responsibilities.

Monitoring and Evaluation
  Monitor, evaluate, review and take steps to improve classroom practice throughout the

Department.

  Responsible for organising mutual observation within the department.

General Requirements
  Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils for who you are responsible and with

whom you come into contact.

  Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance and

conduct.

  Maintain positive, courteous relations with students, parents and colleagues.
  Regularly contribute to the School’s programme of co-curricular activities and ensure
that all Department staff do the same, maintaining a range of activities for the full age
range.

  To attend major school events such as Open Day, Speech Day, Sports Day and other

relevant events listed in the school’s calendar.

  Promote the good name and reputation of the School.
  Adhere to School policies and procedures.

Keys Skills &

  A degree in an appropriate discipline.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.  You may also be required to
undertake such other comparable duties as required from time to time.

Knowledge:

  Qualified Teacher Status.
  Experience of teaching at Key Stage 3 and 4.
  Outstanding practitioner with strong reputation for excellent pupil progress.
  Knowledge of current educational thinking, initiatives and issues.
  Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures.


IT literate, understanding of the role of IT in planning, teaching, monitoring and
management.

Personal
Competencies &
Qualities:

  Enthusiastic, inspirational and confident leader, possessing drive, energy and

commitment.

  A presence which engenders confidence and respect from pupils, staff and parents; leads

by example.

  Ability to respond to and lead through change.
  Proven ability to inspire pupils.
  Outstanding role model for children.
  Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
  Ability to prioritise own work load, manage a varied workload and delegate

appropriately.

  Team focused: shares knowledge and information with other members of staff to

promote good practice.

  Focuses on what needs to be delivered: understands what is needed and responds

promptly.

  Commitment to the highest standards of educational and pastoral care for all pupils.

Commitment to
Safeguarding and
Welfare

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. At all times the
post holder will:

  Help to safeguard the children’s wellbeing and maintain public trust in the teaching

profession.

  Help to provide a safe environment in which the children can learn.
  Help to identify children who may be in need of extra support or who are suffering,

or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

  Promptly raise any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and work

with other services as needed.

  Attend the relevant child safeguarding training and other mandatory induction

training as required by the School.

Promoting the
Health, Safety and
Wellbeing of
Pupils and Staff

At all times the post holder will:

  Maintain awareness of, and comply with, the School’s H&S policy.
  Where appropriate, conduct and document risk assessments in their area of

responsibility.

Probationary
Period

  This role is subject to a probationary period of 12 months from the start of

employment, and may be extended at the School’s discretion.

  Performance and suitability for continued employment will be reviewed throughout

the probationary period.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.  You may also be required to
undertake such other comparable duties as required from time to time.