Abbey Gate College
Saighton Grange
Saighton
Chester
CH3 6EN
TEACHER OF BOYS’ PHYSICAL EDUCATION
September
2011
Abbey Gate College
The School
Abbey Gate College is situated in superb surroundings south of the historic city of Chester. It was
founded as an independent co-educational 11-18 School in 1977 under the Deeside House
Educational Trust, as a charitable foundation. Our Junior and Infant Department is sited in the old
village school at Aldford, 2½ miles from the main site at Saighton. The College now numbers
491 pupils, including a Sixth Form of 69. Academic results in all subjects are excellent and
100% pass rate at A level and GCSE is the norm. The majority of our Sixth Formers go on to
University or other place of further education. The College has a three form entry at Year 7 from
an annual Entrance Examination held in January; places are oversubscribed and there are waiting
lists operating in some year groups in the College.
The building and facilities are impressive. The main building is the former stately home of the
Duke of Westminster and the College has added its own purpose-built accommodation, including
fully equipped science laboratories, IT rooms and a Sports Hall. A new Arts and Media Centre
was completed in 2004, housing Music, a theatre and two IT rooms. Work on the second phase,
housing Art and Technology, was completed in March 2008 and a new science laboratory and
Sixth Form Centre completed the development in the Summer Term.
The Junior and Infant Department is based in the former village school building in Aldford and
numbers 120, with one class entry per year group from 4 -11. The school is set in idyllic
surroundings with its own playing fields, playground, ecology pond and log bark area. Recent
improvements have included an atrium reception and Head of Department office, medical room,
interactive whiteboards and a large mezzanine floor area above the hall for storage and small
class teaching. Juniors from Years 3 -5 enjoy half a day’s timetable per week at Saighton Grange
and J6 spend a full day. Specialist teaching is shared across both sites and collaboration is
frequent.
The Department of Physical Education
The Physical Education Department at Abbey Gate College currently consists of 4 full-time and
two part-time members of staff. Each of the full-time teachers also makes a contribution to other
departments throughout school and has specific areas of responsibility within PE.
Members of the department:
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Mrs E Sanders
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Head of Department (and teacher of Science)
Mr C Cutler
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Head of Boys’ PE, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Mrs S Storrar
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Teacher i/c Netball & Swimming (and teacher of ICT)
Vacant position for September 2011 start
Mrs J Townsend
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(part-time)
Mr A Green
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(part-time PE and KS4 Coordinator)
The Department is also assisted by various members of the College staff.
In the Senior School there is a generous allocation of 3 hours in both Year 7 and Year 8. This
time is reduced to 2 hours 15 minutes in Year 9 and to 1 hour 30 minutes in Years 10 and 11. In
addition to core PE we also offer examination courses at both GCSE and A Level. The
department also play a significant role in the teaching of PE and Games to the pupils in Years 1-6
of the Junior School.
The school regularly competes at local level and also regionally within the ISA sport movement.
Pupils from the school have represented the North ISA teams in a variety of sports at national
level. The facilities available on site include a sports hall, tennis courts, netball courts and
extensive fields for football, rugby, athletics, cricket, rounders etc. We also have frequent use of
an Astroturf pitch at a local Hockey club and use of swimming pools and Leisure Centre in
nearby Chester.
The department currently concentrates its teaching on the main team games of football, rugby and
cricket to the boys; hockey, netball and rounders to the girls. Other activities such as athletics,
tennis, basketball, badminton, swimming, health-related fitness and gymnastics are also taught
within the curriculum
The Post
The successful candidate will be expected to play a full role within the department, teaching
across the full age range, including teaching and coaching within the Junior Department and
taking responsibility for this area. The successful candidate should be able to offer expertise in at
least one of our major sports, together with a wide range of experience in other areas. There may
also be the availability of teaching some examination classes. Whilst the teaching of PE and
Games will be the major part of the role of the post-holder, there may also be the
opportunity/requirement to teach a small number of lessons in a second subject.
Extra-curricular sport is an important aspect of school life and the successful candidate would be
expected to make a significant contribution to a busy schedule, including a number of Saturday
fixtures. Practices currently take place during the lunch break and after school, with fixtures on
several evenings throughout the week, in addition to Saturdays.
Salary
Abbey Gate College has its own pay scale slightly above the national guidelines for salaries and
this post will be offered at the appropriate point on the scale. (Commensurate with qualifications
and teaching experience)
Child Protection
Abbey Gate College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
successful applicants will be subject to enhanced disclosure procedure. The College adheres to a
code of good practice with regard to Safer Recruitment and details are included in the College
Recruitment Policy.
Equal Opportunities
Abbey Gate College is committed to securing equality of opportunity through the creation of an
environment in which individuals are treated on the sole basis of their relevant skills and abilities.
This commitment is shared by pupils, staff, parents, governors and the trustees of the College.
We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity,
gender or disability and aim to ensure equal treatment for all.
Applications
Candidates should complete an Abbey Gate College application form and submit this together
with a letter addressed to Mrs L M Horner, Headmistress, outlining their suitability for the post.
Interviews will be held soon after the closing date
The closing date for applications is Friday 25th March 2011
Candidates will meet PE Staff and have a tour of The College
A teacher observed lesson will take place on interview.
References will be taken up prior to interview, please inform your referees
Please mark the envelope clearly ‘APPLICATION TEACHER OF BOYS’ PE’.
Abbey Gate College
Teacher of Boys’ Physical Education
Main Responsibilities:
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To implement and teach high quality learning for all pupils
To monitor and support the overall progress and development of pupils as a PE teacher and Form
Tutor.
To contribute to raising the standards of attainment in all areas of PE, sport and games.
To act as the main link teacher for Aldford PE and sport whilst taking particular responsibility for
the boys’ extra curricular sport at the Junior school
To act as a strong role model for pupils
Oversee and develop the curriculum for rugby
Assist with cricket delivery and fixtures in Summer Term
Reporting to: Head of Department and Head of Boys’ PE
Key Tasks:
 To assist in the continued development of departmental resources, schemes of work, marking
policies and teaching strategies in the curriculum.
 To contribute to the College and Departmental development plan and its implementation.
 To plan and deliver well structured and high quality lessons across all key stages
 To take an active part in staff development and CPD by participating in further training and
professional development.
 To work as a member of a designated team and to contribute positively to effective working
relations within the College.
 To maintain appropriate records and to provide relevant accurate and up-to-date information for
PASS, tutors and appropriate areas.
 To complete all documentation to assist with pupil tracking including assessments, progress cards,
reports and parents’ meetings.
 To use departmental assessment criteria to regularly assess pupil performance and set targets
accordingly.
 To take part in marketing and community activities such as Open Days, Displays, tournaments
 To assist the Head of Department and Head of Boys’ PE to identify resource needs and to
contribute to their efficient/effective use.
 To be a Form Tutor (additional information provided if appointed as part of the induction process)
 To act as the main PE link teacher at Aldford
Key Tasks Specific to the Post of Teacher of Boys’ PE
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To have an opportunity, as part of further professional development, to assist with mentoring
Associate Teachers.
To contribute to the extended opportunities for students in extra-curricular PE.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALITIES
Essential
Desirable
A love of sport and an ability and desire to communicate
this.
A clean driving license.
An appropriate teaching qualification.
(this could be pending)
Mini bus driving licence.
A good degree in Physical Education or similar subject.
Coaching qualifications in a variety of sports.
An experienced teacher or an excellent NQT with ambition
and drive.
Ability and enthusiasm to and / or experience of teaching
PE or sport at Key stage 2
High professional standards, expectations, attitude,
communication and appearance.
First Aid Qualification
Ability to teach a variety of sports, with a specialism to
pursue one/two main sports for extra-curricular
A strong commitment to extra-curricular Physical
Education and the value of competitive sport.
Ability to work independently and as part of an already
successful team.
Ability to teach across from the Key stages, including
GCSE and A Level PE.
Ability to teach and inspire equally the most gifted pupils
and also recreational participants