{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Teacher of Sport and Exercise","description":"\n \n

Job title:Teacher of Sport and Exercise
Job Type:Full-time, permanent (Mon-Sat, term time only, plus one week for pre-season)
Salary:£38,663 - £65,199 per annum
Department:Sport and Exercise
Reporting to:Director of Sport and Exercise
Location:Highgate, North London
Start:September 2026
Closing Date:13 April 2026 at 8:00 am

This is an exciting opportunity to for a well-qualified practitioner to join our Sport and Exercise Department as a Teacher of Sport and Exercise.

The Sport and Exercise (SpEx) Department is vibrant and forward thinking and has benefitted greatly from significant investment in both staff and facilities. Applicants should ideally have experience of coaching one or more of our core sports: Netball, Hockey, Fives, Athletics, Cricket or Swimming. We are happy to also accept applicants with a background in teaching Strength and Conditioning. The role will involve teaching and supporting the development of an innovative curriculum at Highgate, supporting pupils progress across all three schools.

The position will commence in September 2026. The successful candidate will be expected to fully participate in the Sports programme, including midweek and weekend fixtures, training (including pre-season training), competitions and tours. Dependending on the strength of the field, we may look to appoint more than one applicant.

Highgate is an academically selective, co-educational North London day school. Sport and Exercise (‘SpEx’) at Highgate has a reputation for excellence and innovation in teaching and coaching. The department consists of over 35 colleagues, offering a broad range of activities from participation through to high performance pathways. At Highgate we have a SpEx Leadership team that supports all aspects of the department and are responsible for the line management of all SpEx staff.

Pupils are taught an exercise curriculum, planned to support their knowledge and understanding of athletic development, wellbeing and sporting options. The role includes working on Saturdays (hours equivalent to 5 hours). However, hours may vary depending on the specific activities scheduled, sometimes being less or slightly more. Fixtures are organised for a wide range of sports, including a comprehensive Saturday/weekend fixture and training programme. Tours and trips are a regular feature of our offering, alongside showcase events, such as award evenings, conferences and intra-school competitions throughout the year. The department offers a range of opportunities for staff development, and we are keen to see staff grow in their roles and share their expertise with others.

The Department is based around the well-equipped Mallinson Sports Centre (MSC). It is adjacent to the playing fields, near the Junior and Pre-Preparatory Schools and within a few minutes’ walk of the Senior School. The Centre comprises a newly re-built swimming pool, large sports hall, strength & conditioning suite and mezzanine hall. In addition, there is a dance and movement studio, squash and Eton Fives courts. The MSC managers and staff provide a significant programme of community use; they also support pupils’ activities within the Centre and provide administrative assistance. The school has twenty acres of playing fields, including an all-weather pitch, which can accommodate ten netball courts, a full-size hockey pitch, or twelve tennis courts. There is also a multi-use games area which provides six cricket nets, three tennis courts, two netball courts and a hockey training facility.

Our vision for Sport and Exercise at Highgate:

We want pupils to be active throughout their time at school and to develop a passion for sport and exercise that leads to their continued participation beyond school. This objective will be underpinned by a nurturing and safe culture that promotes fun, friendship and wellbeing.
We want high level teams that perform competitively against our peer schools and a performance programme that supports talented individuals. Nevertheless, this will not be at the expense of an inclusive culture that supports all abilities.

We want to promote choice and flexibility that lead to successful pathways, whilst also being mindful of the issues relating to affordability and consistency in the quality of provision.

Person Specification

\n Highgate School seeks to appoint teachers who will have, in addition to the professional qualities outlined below, the following proven personal qualities, or the potential to develop them. At interview, candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate or give an account of these attributes.\n

Profound and continuing interest in the subject/s to be taught.
The depth of knowledge and agility of mind to allow flexibility in lessons, adapting delivery as appropriate in the light of pupils’ responses.
Empathy with pupils across the age and ability spectrum at Highgate and the ability to implement a range of teaching strategies to cater for each individual pupil.
Capacity to deal sensitively with problems raised by pupils, in line with Highgate’s pastoral policies and sanctions system, working in partnership with Highgate’s designated staff i/c pastoral care.
Ability to create effective rapport and a sound relationship with pupils, earning their respect and trust but maintaining proper professional boundaries by not deliberately courting popularity or friendship.
Dynamism and enthusiasm to contribute broadly to the life of a busy co- educational independent day school.
Willingness to contribute to the extensive range of activities provided for pupils and to support them in their co-curricular pursuits.
Capacity for industry and initiative in both independent work and as part of teams of colleagues in academic work, pastoral care, sports and co-curricular activities.
Awareness and understanding of matters relating to the personal, social, health and emotional development of pupils.
Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between pupils, staff and parents when required, making accurate records of these exchanges.
Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with pupils, parents or colleagues from a variety of perspectives.
The ability to defuse difficult situations using different strategies such as careful listening, sensitive use of humour, praise and recognition where due, utilising the School’s reward system.
Retention of a sense of perspective and, on occasion, the invaluable ability to laugh at oneself.

\n MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES  \n

Curriculum Delivery

Plan and deliver lessons and sessions, from schemes of work set out by Heads of Section and Heads of Individual Sports.
Plan for groups taught, both in relation to ability and pupil information available regarding individual needs.
Review and reflect on lessons, reporting and offering feedback on lessons, groups and individuals, to Heads of Section and the Heads of Individual Sports.
Contribute to the development of lesson/coaching plans and schemes, supporting the development of our programmes with clear objectives and expectations.

Pupil Development

Assist in ensuring, through Heads of Section, that there is clear guidance for pupils and parents/carers at Highgate. Support in developing and fostering a positive environment for all.
Keep abreast of the latest research within youth development, including how other organisations are currently working to support pupil development and player pathways.
Develop opportunities within your lessons and sessions for groups and individuals to be supported, offer feedback and monitor improvement.

Staff Development

All members of the SpEx team are asked to work in a variety of ways. Be prepared to lead, support and work collaboratively, to aid development for all staff, including yourself.
Share lesson and session plan design with other colleagues, alongside any recent literature, evidence or best practice you may come across through other organisations and channels.
Personally reflect, review and appraise, offering feedback to be considered by your line manager, Heads of Section and the Individual Heads of Sport.
Participate and contribute to INSET training for staff as required.
Contribute to the wider school community by supporting with tutoring responsibilities and staff duties where necessary.

Competition

Support the sports programme in relation to year-round planning for training, fixtures and tournaments.
Work closely with relevant Heads of Sport and other colleagues, to prepare and select squads, using school software to communicate selections, fixture and competition details.
Support relevant Heads of Sport in ensuring effective and positive communication regarding fixtures, across pupils, parents/carers and the teaching body of the School.
Coach, officiate and manage fixtures and tournaments, as required across our extra-curricular programme, which includes an extensive Saturday fixture programme.
Support intra school competition, which includes whole year group events in a number of activities.
Support at least one sports tour a year as required by the Director of Sport.

Essential Criteria

\n Criteria\n
\n How will these be tested or verified?\n
A good honours degree in a related subject
\n
- Original degree certificate(s)
- Questions about subject specialisation (and course content for more recent graduates)
- Opportunities at interview to discuss techniques for teaching set topics
\n
Excellent communication skills
\n
- Two panel interviews
- A taught lesson
\n
Experience of teaching Sport and Exercise successfully, including an understanding of current teaching practices, health and safety and effective assessment
\n
- Lesson planning and resources
- Opportunities to recount experience and expertise at interview
\n
The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils.
\n
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences where these skills have been demonstrated
- Questions which referees will be
- Asked as part of the confidential reference request
\n
Sympathy with and knowledge of fundamental British values
\n
- Questions at interview to test this
\n
Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
\n
- Questions at interview to test attitudes towards and knowledge of children’s safeguarding and welfare
- Questions which referees will be asked as part of the confidential
- Reference request
\n
Experience of coaching one of our core sports: Netball, Football, Hockey, Fives, Athletics or Cricket
\n
- Opportunities to recount experience and expertise at interview
\n
Experience of teaching Sport and Exercise successfully, including an understanding of current teaching practices, health and safety and effective assessment
\n
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences where these skills have been demonstrated
\n

Desirable Criteria

\n Criteria\n
\n How will these be tested or verified?\n
Experience of teaching academic lessons, either as an employed teacher or during a teaching placement, and an understanding of effective assessment.
\n
- A taught lesson with a lesson plan and resources
- Questions at interview
- A confidential reference request
- Verification of a candidate’s employment history
\n
A teaching qualification (eg PGCE, GTP)
\n
- Original certificate
\n
Coaching qualifications in our major sports. Experience of playing or coaching at a performance level.
\n
- Coaching qualifications certificates. Opportunities at interview to recount
\n
A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the department and school.
\n
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of running or participating in such activities or to give ideas for these
\n

Support | A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.

Pension | The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Professional development | Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued learning and development for all employees.

Holidays | Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.

Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.

Facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and new swimming pool. Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in the Sir Martin Gilbert Library.

Lunch | Free tea and coffee A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.

Sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.

Flexible working | Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependant leave.

Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.

Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.

In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”

Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.

The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.

We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.

More details about working at Highgate can be found here:

As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.

Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.

As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.

Closing Date:13th April 2026
Video Interview:w/c 12 May
In person Interview:w/c 19 May

Contact: Mario Noto, Director of Sport and Exercise, is happy to answer any questions about this post.

Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.

We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.

As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If, while in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community, these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.

Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.

Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.

In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.

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