Teacher of PE (Head of Netball Responsibility)

AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY

Teacher of PE (with responsibility as Head of Netball) Information for prospective staff

About Freemen's Our mission is to inspire our people to learn, to lead and to make a difference.

We believe that if we can motivate pupils and staff to always give their best, the School will continue to grow and thrive. Community engagement and our impact on the world beyond our walls are at the forefront of everything we do at Freemen’s.

The School was founded in Brixton in 1854 to provide an education for the orphaned children of Freemen of the City of London before moving to the present site, Ashtead Park, in 1926. We have a magnificent site with modern buildings alongside the original Main House set in a stunning 57 acres of parkland. This idyllic setting further supports the wellbeing of our students and staff, as being here, in the park, makes coming to work a pleasure. It looks striking in every season and we are lucky to have a vast array of wildlife living in our woods.

Today, Freemen’s is an independent day and boarding school for students aged 7-18, with a strong ethos of community and service in accordance with the values on which the School

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was founded. We are proudly co-educational and have been since 1854, which was radical at the time, and we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our forward-thinking, progressive approach.

You can expect stellar exam results and academic excellence, but that’s not all. The focus within the School is on every individual finding a path which is appropriate for them, be that in the classroom, on a sports pitch or in one of the many co-curricular activities we encourage our young people to throw themselves into. Our mission is built upon four pillars of the Freemen’s education: pastoral support, House activities, academic achievement, and our varied co-curricular programme (including sport) to ensure every student realises their potential to be able to learn, lead and make a difference. Freemen’s is a place where students are keen to learn and eager to engage in the wider aspects of life at our School.

Teachers at Freemen's embody our principles for excellent classroom practice, offering innovative and forward-thinking approaches, enabling us to be a beacon of learning and teaching. We take risks in the pursuit of excellence by being brave and radical, willing to challenge the status quo. Through our 1-1 iPad programme, we aim to create discerning users of technology,

About Freemen's so that staff and students can thrive in the modern dynamic world. We do all of this, in an environment where staff feel supported, by investing in life-long learning through research-led enquiry and building learning communities. The emphasis in the Junior School is on Kindness, Honesty and Fun and the Senior School picks up that message with a pastoral programme that emphasizes the importance of a strong, supportive community in which every member, staff and student, feels respected, supported and valued. As a result, we are able to support our young people to successfully navigate the tests of life they face every day.

The School is one of four independent schools managed by the City of London Corporation (The City). The City provides financial support in the form of bursaries and scholarships. Other links with the City of London and the Livery Companies are strong, which presents opportunities for staff to attend events at Guildhall and elsewhere in the City, as well as the possibility of gaining the honour of the Freedom of the City of London.

Transport links are good; the School is a mile from Ashtead station with regular services to Epsom and London and south to Leatherhead and Guildford. The M25 junction 9 is a seven-minute drive from the School.

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Sport at Freemen's The Sports Department has undergone considerable change over the last three years with a new Director of Sport and a remodeling of the department.

The current vision of the department is: “We put pupils first in order to achieve our objective of making them better people who participate in physical activity for life.”

To achieve this, we follow the 5 P’s outlined below: Pupils - We treat each pupil as an individual and give them the opportunity to forge their own path of physical activity to suit them. To do this we ensure our programme is broad, to enable pupils to try numerous sports, and give our pupils a choice of activity in Games for their latter years at the School, making our programme more relevant to each of our pupils.

People - Physical activity can make pupils better people. A recent HMC study highlighted that physical activity has a positive correlation 4

with mental toughness and well-being. These alongside numerous other psychological and sociological benefits are the underpinning reasons for physical activity in School. In PE lessons, we look to teach beyond physical literacy and sporting skills, and focus on character strengths such as leadership, resilience, creativity, honesty, self-organisation and kindness.

Participation - We want pupils to have a passion for physical activity so they participate in physical activity long after leaving Freemen’s. Around 90% of all pupils played in formalised fixtures in 2022-23, with all Junior School pupils representing the school. The vast majority of our pupils are physically active for more than four hours in the course of the school week.

Progression – Each and every time a pupil takes part in Physical Activity they should be progressing. Some of this progression lower down the School may be through deliberate play. We aim to make each pupil the best they can be, whilst ensuring that each team can achieve their collective potential. In PE we aim to be progressive, by teaching key skills within a variety of activities to develop physical literacy and pupil competency in that specific activity, whilst building a passion and confidence in Physical Activity.

Sport at Freemen's Performance - Performance in a sports programme is important, but winning is not necessarily the priority. We believe in teaching via processes and, if the processes leading to the competition are correct, the score ultimately takes care of itself. Even for high performers the emphasis is on having fun, whilst progressing towards individual and team goals. We will soon be launching a Performance Programme in the Senior School for those who represent their county or beyond, in order to develop them as sportspeople. Performance in teams can also be important, and we aim to develop this through high level coaching and mentoring, including video analysis. The department is well equipped to be successful in the pursuit of this vision.

Staffing The department currently contains nine PE teachers who are well supported by a good number of coaching staff for Games and afterschool activities. Members of the wider common room also make a significant contribution to sport at Freemen’s. The department is led by a Director of Sport and a strategy team including two Assistant Directors of Sport (Academic & Games and Performance). The department has a passion for learning from each other and a high level of experience in both coaching and teaching. Each of the school’s core sports are led by a Head of Sport, who is responsible for the pathway and direction of their own sport.

Facilities The sports facilities at the school are fantastic with a large sports hall, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a modern gym, an all-weather pitch, two squash courts, multi-activity room, a PE classroom and many sports fields accommodating for rugby, football, athletics and cricket.

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Core PE The PE curriculum is diverse and progressive, focusing on fundamental movement skills, physical literacy and swimming in Key Stage 2.

As pupils progress up the school a broad range of sports and activities are covered with pupils changing activity every four weeks. Character strengths are an important aspect in the teaching of PE, and these are also taught in four-week blocks.

Academic PE The department regularly achieves strong academic results offering both GCSE and A level PE. Academic PE is increasing in popularity with over fifty pupils studying the subject next year, record numbers for the school.

Games Every year group has one Games afternoon a week. The major sports in these are football, rugby and cricket for the boys and hockey, netball and tennis/cricket for the girls. The department is currently facilitated by many coaching staff allowing the school to provide outstanding coaching provisions in all sports. The provision for many other sports has increased in recent years, with boys being able to play hockey and girls compete in rugby and football. Whereas squash, athletics, fencing, golf and swimming are part available in the senior school during Games.

Co-curricular sport Each year group in the school has access to co-curricular sport throughout the week with a large contribution made by PE, coaching and the wider teaching staff. Some of these focus on the development of teams for weekend and after school fixtures, whilst others focus on giving pupils a different sport to sample. Currently the school plays fixtures in thirteen different sports across the school year.

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Information about the role General The teacher is accountable to the Head of Department and has responsibility for the following: • Promoting and supporting the School’s aims and policies.

Teaching, learning and assessment • Preparation and planning of lessons in accordance with departmental schemes of work.

• Demonstrating a range of teaching methods and keeping abreast of developments in the subject area at KS3, GCSE and AS/A level; employing a range of teaching resources including the display of pupils’ work.

• Carrying out assessment according to departmental and School policies. Recording assessment (grades/reports etc) within deadlines set and keeping clear records.

• Setting and marking of class work and homework according to relevant School and departmental policies.

• Reporting to parents on progress at parents’ evenings or on reasonable request from parents.

• Setting and marking/moderating examination coursework where appropriate.

• Providing pupils with appropriate challenges.

• Recognition of the specific needs of each

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pupil and of classes as a whole. Setting an appropriate pace for lessons and adapting teaching methods to the needs of pupils.

Establishing a structured learning environment conducive to learning and where pupils know that high standards are always required.

Managing the classroom effectively with appropriate use of sanctions and rewards in accordance with departmental and School policies.

Motivating pupils to learn and establishing a rapport with pupils conducive to learning.

Attending departmental meetings and sharing departmental responsibility; Attending staff meetings and School or departmental INSET; seeking opportunities for professional development; participation in the School Professional Review (appraisal) scheme; participation in induction arrangements.

Other • Promoting high standards of work and behaviour inside and outside the classroom.

• Contributing to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the School and carrying out the role of form tutor effectively.

• Carrying out the normal supervision duties as laid down in School policies.

Teacher of PE (with responsibility as Head of Netball)

Click image above to play video Head of Netball responsibilities: Purpose of post • The effective administration and delivery of the School’s Sports programme.

Main duties and responsibilities • To deliver a dynamic Sports programme in accordance with the School’s aims and policies.

• Create and organise a competitive fixtures programme that includes entry into competitions for your sport, with other schools and external organisations.

• Communicate your plan for fixtures with the Assistant Director of Sport Games and Performance in a timely manner for approval well in advance of the season starting.

• To ensure the highest standards of coaching are adhered to, as well as developing new coaching styles and enthusiasm for the sport.

• Organise the staffing for Games ensuring all pupils are exposed to equal levels of expertise.

• Ensure that all Games lessons are well equipped and to oversee an equipment budget for the sport.

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Teacher of PE (with responsibility as Head of Netball)

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Distribute plans for how games lessons should run, including the style of coaching.

To ensure that the highest standards of sportsmanship are promoted among pupils, staff and coaches.

The development and delivery of an appropriate training programme for pupils at every age level in line with the ethos of the department’s vision and school aims.

Encouraging talented players and assist them in gaining representative honours at club, academy and national levels.

Promoting and leading a culture of wholesome and healthy sporting activity; ensuring that pupils observe the highest standards of behaviour on and off the field; ensuring adherence to NGB and HMC guidelines; dealing with discipline issues, on or off the field, in consultation with the Director of Sport and Senior Leaders, as appropriate.

To allocate staff to playing spaces in accordance with the programme and NGB guidance.

Leadership and management • Liaison with all members of staff, as appropriate, on all matters concerned with specific sport.

• Regular and frequent liaison with the Assistant Director of Sport – Games and Performance and Director of Sport regarding the success of sports provision.

• Chair at least one meeting with all sports coaches in order to communicate your vision, pathway and performance / participation objectives during the season.

• In liaison with the Assistant Director of Sport – Games and Performance and Director of Sport, ensuring professional development among staff involved, especially the updating and upgrading of coaching and other relevant qualifications and arranging a regular internal and external CPL programme.

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Fixtures tournaments and competitions • Oversee and allocate pupil selection to ensure a balance of participation and excellence across the sports programme.

• To work alongside the Assistant Director of Sport – Games and Performance and give feedback of an appropriate fixtures list with other schools, providing opportunities for pupils to represent the School at every level.

• Organising participation in competitions and tournaments, including hosting events by the School and House competitions.

• To liaise with the Assistant Director of Sport – Games and Performance regarding NGB subscriptions, tournaments and appropriate competitions.

• Organising and leading sports tours in the UK or overseas, organising and leading the sports programme in joint Sports Tours overseas, in accordance with school policies/procedures.

• Administration and communication • To liaise with the Assistant Director of Sport – Games and Performance regarding communication to parents on all sport specific matters, and when required, engaging with concerns of parents relating to the sport.

• Dealing promptly with all administrative matters and meeting deadlines.

• Ensuring that the relevant sections of the Sports Department handbook and development plan are completed and updated within the deadlines set.

• Responsibility for communication with outside bodies, including the NGB and the Old Freemen’s Association. Marketing of sport within the department’s social media feed and checking photo consent.

• Ensuring an inventory of appropriate kit and equipment is presented on a regular basis to Assistant Director of Sport – Games & Performance and that all kit properly stored and maintained

Safeguarding, health and safety • To demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, health and safety and promoting the welfare of children and young people within your sport.

• Ensuring that all risk assessments in relation to the sport are reviewed, updated and adhered to by all including consent for contact sports • Regular and frequent liaison with the School’s medical staff and other medical staff in attendance at matches.

• Ensuring that all health and safety policies in relation to sport are rigorously adhered to in the interests of the safety and welfare of pupils and staff.

• Ensuring that the pitch and playing areas are safe.

• Ensure all staff have completed the Head Case course and are up to date with concussion protocol.

• Ensure all staff are regularly checking Return to Play, understand the off games protocols and that all pupils have relevant consent from parents.

• The Head of Sport will be required to carry out any task in relation to the Sport’s programme as reasonably directed by Headmaster.

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Person specification • Staff should demonstrate a passion for, and expertise in, their subject and use that to inspire the students whom them teach.

They should hold a good honours degree in a relevant subject, ideally a 2.1 or higher.

• To either, hold QTS and demonstrate a track record of success, or possess the willingness and ability become a qualified teacher.

• Someone with an awareness of, and a commitment to, the needs of young people in a school setting; someone who shares the School’s commitment to promoting the welfare of and safeguarding children.

• An enthusiastic and dynamic teacher and leader, able to motivate and inspire pupils and staff to achieve the highest standards.

• Someone who can build and maintain professional relationships, striking the right balance between formal and informal channels.

• Someone with good time management skills, able to cope with the demands and life of a busy leading independent school.

• An effective communicator.

• Someone with good ICT skills and the ability to deal with the administrative routines.

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Professional expectations of staff Safeguarding Staff will be kind, fair and respectful to students and each other, challenge others when they are unkind, unfair or disrespectful and have the highest regard for the students’ safety and their safeguarding duties, whether on or off the school premises.

Appearance Smart professional dress, or appropriate co-curricular clothing, at all times.

Availability Prompt attendance during the School’s operating hours and a commitment to completing School business is expected.

Awareness and use of Freemen’s policies Staff will be able to access and use policies as necessary, and read and act upon them appropriately.

Behaviour Staff will establish Freemen’s as a place of learning and will determine clear boundaries of behaviour, based on mutual respect and trust.

Staff will have high expectations of students and will manage their behaviour effectively.

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Collective responsibility Staff share collective responsibility for Freemen’s standards, reputation and property, should treat them with respect and care, and insist others do likewise.

Communication Staff will expect high standards of communication from students and will, in turn, demonstrate accurate, timely and appropriate communication when dealing with students, parents and colleagues.

Ethics and behaviour Staff will uphold public trust in the profession and the reputation of Freemen’s by maintaining high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside School. They will be respectful and tolerant of the rights of others, including colleagues, and not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will ensure that their personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

Learn, lead and make a difference Leaders Staff will be leaders in the School, exercising good judgement and modelling the behaviour and habits that are expected of the students.

Learners Staff will show and share a passion for their subject or discipline(s). They will seek to develop as professionals and as specialists, will be open to feedback and will seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and engage with relevant research.

Planning Teaching staff will have a sense of where the lesson fits within the scheme of work and plan well-structured lessons using an appropriate range of pedagogies.

Use of feedback Staff will seek to use feedback for themselves and if appropriate, their students and will complete assessments and reports in a timely fashion in the appropriate manner and style.

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How to apply Applicants should send a covering letter and a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk, by 9am on Thursday 29 February. Shortlised candidates will be invited to interviews.

Candidates are asked to note that Freemen’s retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process.

Early applications are encouraged.

Freemen’s acknowledges receipt of all applications, if you have not received confirmation of the safe receipt of your application within two working days please call the School or email CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk to check on its status.

The successful candidate must be able to satisfy the City of London’s health requirements and a confidential medical assessment by the City of London’s Medical Officer is required.

The City of London Freemen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).

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"Friendly was the single most uttered word used to describe the school by students, while parents report that their offspring are happy. ‘Kind’ and ‘non-judgemental,’ we also heard, with support on tap."

The Good Schools Guide

"This friendly, grounded and well-run school takes the pressure off getting academically bright young things into senior schools and seems to a knack of making challenging work seem fun."

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Your benefits

Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) Contributory defined benefit

City of London benefits:

• CityBenefits - discounts and cashback.

• Wellbeing resources.

• Sponsorship to become a Freeman of the City of London.

Sports and Leisure: Family friendly Significantly enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement

Free lunch and refreshments The option to join Supper Club at a subsidised rate

• Discounted gym membership.

• Free use of the fitness suite.

• Staff social and sporting opportunities including pilates, yoga and five-a-side football.

• Free staff swimming and weekend family swimming for staff.

Learning and Development: Fee remission Up to 50% fee remission subject to the normal entry requirements.

Cycle to work scheme Up to £3,000 salary sacrifice

• Funding to obtain QTS/PGCE. • Tailored CPD for all colleagues that includes a thriving internal CPD programme, as well as a range of external opportunities such as Masters and PhD support, Enquiring Teachers Programme and Chartered College qualifications.

Season Ticket Loan Wellbeing: Free parking on site

Access to on-site facilities

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• Up to 2 days’ paid leave for volunteering.

• Cash back on private health care treatment.

• Access to on-site Medical Centre.

• Staff Wellbeing Committee.

• Confidential Employee Assistance for staff and their families.

• Emergencies-only approach to out of hours email.

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Campus Map

Click here to view 360 Tour of campus 01. Visitor parking 02. Reception 03. Philp House 04. Science and Technology 05. Medical Centre 06. Art and Design 07. Stable Block 08. Ferndale Theatre 09. Dining Hall 10. Haywood Centre 11. Junior School (Kemp House) 12. Boarding (Walbrook House)

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13. Music School and Recital Hall 14. Main House 15. Sports Hall 16. Swimming Pool 17. Cricket Pavilion 18. Tennis and Netball Courts 19. Astro Pitch 20. Cricket Nets 21. Cricket Pitch 22. Italian Garden 23. Rugby and Football Pitches 24. Green Room

25. Fire Assembly Point 26. Bus Stop 27. Upper Car Park 28. Lower Car Park 29. Service Gate (KT21 1JB)

"A down-to-earth, friendly school that’s comfortable in its own skin rather than relentlessly trying to show off its most polished side – and is all the better for it.

Just the ticket for parents after a high-quality, stress-free route for their academically bright sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18.

Almost unique around here."

The Good Schools Guide