Head of Physical Education

Townsend Church of England School, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DR

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st January 2027 or sooner

• Closing date

  25 September 2026 at 5pm

• Date listed

  11 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Main Scale or UPS if entitled PLUS TLR 2B £6,278
• Additional allowances:

  Main Scale or UPS if entitled PLUS TLR 2B £6,278

Head of Physical Education job summary

Core Purpose of Head of Physical Education

To lead the Physical Education department with drive and imagination during the next phase of its development.

The Head of PE Department is responsible for making clear and effective decisions about: planning, implementing and evaluating the curriculum and extra-curriculum; leading and managing teaching and non-teaching staff; and organising department resources. To have overall responsibility for the standard of students’ work, outcomes and behaviour in the department.

PE is currently taught throughout the school including in the sixth form. Students enjoy 4 hours a fortnight at Key Stage 3&4 and we also deliver GCSE and A Level Physical Education.

The ability to teach Key Stage 3 / 4 Mathematics or Science as a second subject would also be desirable.

Physical Education facilities at Townsend as followings: Large playing fields with four full-sized pitches for football / rugby, a floodlit MUGA the size of 3 tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, dance studio, small gymnasium and 6 tennis courts. We currently have submitted planning permission for a 4 badminton court sports hall with two classrooms and a gym. We have also been identified by the Football Foundation as a site for a 3G full-sized astro-turf pitch. These are projects we hope to bring to reality in the next two years.

Students at Townsend benefit from a range of co-curricular clubs, house competitions and the district and country competition structure.

The successful candidate will be committed to high academic standards, and have a full appreciation of the importance of Personal, Social and Health Education. They will have the drive and creative flair to ensure participation and success in Physical Education continue to grow in the coming years so that Townsend becomes well-known for its provision and prowess in this physical activity.

About the Role:

To ensure the school’s PE curriculum enables all our students to achieve to the very best of their ability.

To secure and sustain high quality teaching, learning and assessment in PE. Leading moderation and standardisation of coursework across the range of qualifications offered by the department.

To organise the effective grouping of students and allocation of classes to teachers.

Planning practical curriculum courses to make the best use of facilities available within the constraints of the school calendar.

To routinely undertake self-evaluation of the performance of the department and use this to inform improvement planning and guide short, medium and long-term decisions.

To ensure that the schemes of work and resources used for the teaching of PE are high quality, appropriate and accessible and secure good progress for students of all abilities and backgrounds.

To ensure consistent record keeping and data analysis across the department in order to identify and intervene to address underachievement of individuals or identified groups

To use department meetings effectively.

To support the professional development needs of members of the department and support the development of new and student teachers where relevant

To line manage members of the department.

To work with staff, students and parents and use the school’s systems to manage student behaviour and to reward effort and achievement in the department.

To promote PE and to maintain a high profile for the subject and the department in the school and district.

To represent the PE Department at meetings inside and outside the school.

To liaise with key staff such as the SENCO, Exams Officer, the Pastoral Team and SLT to ensure that the needs of students are best met, and the department contributes towards the smooth running of the school.

To plan effective use of the department resources ensuring that they provide value for money and manage the department budget.

To ensure the department offers an excellent range of co-curricular activities including: House sport and inter school competitions at district, county and national levels.

To oversee the day-to-day work of the PE Department including ensuring cover work is set if required.

About the School

Townsend Church of England School is a small, inclusive and friendly 11-18 school with approximately 750 students, including a Sixth Form.

• Rated Good by Ofsted and Outstanding in SIAMS

• Located on a beautiful, green site between St Albans and Harpenden

• Serving a diverse and vibrant community across Hertfordshire and beyond

Our ethos is rooted in our Christian vision of “Love Your Neighbour”, which underpins our commitment to kindness, respect and ambition for every student. While we are a Church school, we welcome applications from candidates of all faiths and none.

Led by our Headteacher, Mr Anthony Flack, the school is on an exciting journey to become “the first choice secondary school for all.”👉 View our School Prospectus

How to Apply

For further information or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact: recruitment@townsend.herts.sch.uk. Please submit your application to: Mr Anthony Flack, Headteacher, Townsend CofE School, High Oaks, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DR online or via recruitment@townsend.herts.sch.uk

Safeguarding

Townsend CofE School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an online search in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Following the shortlisting stage, and before making a final decision, the school will collect and process information publicly available about you by conducting a brief online search using an internet search engine. We do this to ensure that the school acts in accordance with its obligations set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Townsend Church of England School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Baring (DBS) check and meet the safeguarding requirements consistent with those outlined in the Keeping Children Safe in Education document. Please note that references are always taken up.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Townsend Church of England School

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 746 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Townsend Church of England School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/townsend-va-church-of-england

A Church of England Voluntary Aided secondary school.
See Website www.townsend.herts.sch.uk

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