There are several ways in which one can define a successful sports programme; What’s on offer, results compared to other schools and probably the one that most people look at, success on a local and national scale. However, for me this is just the tip of the iceberg and although important shouldn’t be the main measuring stick against a department that offers so much opportunity to demonstrate success in all of its forms.
A successful sports programme must first engage all involved, this includes; pupils, parents, staff and the wider school community. Without engaging all parties to work towards the same ethos and goal then any one part can have a huge effect on the end product.
I believe that the experience and skill set I have developed, within a challenging and restricted environment, whilst achieving numerous regional and national successes, will enable me to add a huge amount of value, knowledge and expertise to an already successful department.
I take great pride of the success and value that my current department offers to the immediate and wider school community and the contribution I have made to this success. The positive outcomes we see both inside and outside of the classroom and the value added by a department which I help manage is a key reason why Wimbledon College continues to be over-subscribed and competes strongly against some of the biggest and best schools in the South East of England.
We have done this by ensuring our programme engages, encourages and promotes a desire to participate and provide all students with the knowledge and understanding of the benefits of participation from both a performance or recreational perspective and how to excel in these environments. Within my current role I have continued to regularly review our sporting provision with the current Director of Sport, Heads of sport(s), all internal/external PE staff and wider staffing community to plan, create and implement the full PE curriculum across all key stages.
It is through the excellent working relationship I’ve developed with the Director of Sport that we have been able to grow and offer so much to so many. This includes 4 academic options, a comprehensive key stage 3 PE curriculum & Games curriculum, regular Saturday and midweek fixtures and residential tours. Through my role as Director of Rugby, I have managed the largest budget of all sports, successfully coordinated 23 teams, managed the logistics of all fixtures whilst communicated and engaged the wider community via online platforms, social media and face to face communication.
I have also demonstrated a range of skills across a variety of different roles and responsibilities that I’ve held within my time at Wimbledon College. The fact that I have been trusted with the roles of Director of Cricket and Director of Swimming demonstrate the vast knowledge and skill that I have across the whole curriculum, I have also committed to running football and athletics teams, something that I would want to continue with in this role. My commitment to sport doesn’t stop at my strongest, Rugby. This demonstrates that I am committed to developing and providing sport to as many pupils as possible. A mantra that I continue to encourage and promote within my current role. I am adept at liaising with all sporting communities to ensure that the best possible provision is available to all those that want to engage and participate.
I have a proven track record of developing outstanding individual excellence, as demonstrated by numerous current and ex-students representing Harlequins and London Irish academy age groups, two of whom have since gone on to receive full time contracts and international honours. Another of whom recently gained international experienced. We have also developed current Athletics and Football internationals.
Inside the classroom I have continued to deliver outstanding results at both GCSE and A level. I’ve over 7 years of delivering the Socio-cultural content of OCR A level across both Upper or Lower sixth, achieving outstanding results in the end of course exams. I have also demonstrated my excellent classroom ability and expertise within the AQA GCSE and Pearson Btec courses. This is evident from my 2018 GCSE entries which resulted in achieving a residual value added 1.1 – the highest value amongst all teachers at Wimbledon College. My 2020 GCSE cohort produced 86% of grades 9-4 & 29% of grades 7-9.
Sept 2012 – to date Wimbledon College, Wimbledon
Assistant Director of Sport, Director of Rugby, Head of House
I have been fortunate to spend the last eight years working within Wimbledon College, primarily as a member of a very successful Physical Education department but for the past 4 years as Assistant Director of Sport. As part of my teaching responsibilities I have delivered the A Level, GCSE and Btec level 3 specification to years 10, 11, 12 and 13, successfully taking three different groups through the whole GCSE course and 2 year 13 classes through to their final A level exams. I have also been given the responsibility of Director of Rugby, the largest and most successful extra-curricular provision at the College. Since the inception of the College’s House system (2013), I have also been Head of Xavier House. In addition to these roles I have also held the responsibility of Director of Cricket & Swimming.
My main responsibilities within these roles include:
Assistant Director of Sport:
· Creating and delivering an inventive and enjoyable PE curriculum to KS3 & 4.
· Coordinating the core PE and games timetable.
· Delivery of A level, GCSE, Btec Level 3 courses including practical assessments, moderation and marking of written coursework and formative assessments.
· Collaborative strategic planning with Director of Sport for KS3 Physical Education programme, extra-curricular and exam delivery.
· Writing new schemes of work for KS3, 4 & 5 PE, Games & BTEC Sports Studies programme.
· Planning and delivering successful lessons for GCSE, BTEC Sports Studies, KS4 and KS3 Physical Education lesson.
· 2018 GCSE results = Residual value added 1.1 – highest value amongst all teachers at WC.
· 2019 Year 10 GCSE progress results = class of 20, 35% made Excellent progress, 35% made Outstanding progress compared to target grades.
· 2020 GCSE results – 86% (18 pupils) grade 9-4, 29% (6 pupils) grade 7-9.
· 2020 GCSE progress results – 85% Expected or higher, 50% Good or higher, 35% Outstanding.
· Provide regular updates, written and oral feedback and tracking of student’s progress for Senior Leadership team to review.
· Mentoring of four PGCE students throughout their placement, providing observations, feedback and written assessment at the end of their placement.
· Conducting formative and summative assessments of students work.
· Liaising with course leaders as to the delivery and implementation of course content.
· Identifying and managing intervention strategies for all students.
· Liaising with heads of year and department heads to provide feedback on student progress.
· Preparing students for upcoming external examinations.
· Managing and reviewing of departmental and sport(s) budget including writing budget reviews and forecasts.
· Hiring of external Sports Coaches, First Aiders and Physiotherapists who work within the extra-curricular programme.
· Attending and contributing to Heads of department, departmental and partnership meetings.
· Attending all parents’ evenings in order to liaise with both parents and pupils and provide them with an up to date progress report and strategies for progression.
· Attending departmental and whole school CPD sessions.
August 2017 – November 2017 Wimbledon College, Wimbledon
Acting Director of Sport
Due to the sudden departure of the previous Director of Sport I was given the responsibility of the above role on an interim basis until the newly appointed Director of Sport took up the post. My main responsibilities within this role were to formulate and coordinate the extensive Physical Education Programme within the school. This included KS3 & 4, all extra-curricular activity, hiring of external staff, managing the numerous departmental and sporting budgets, liaising with all school teaching and non-teaching staff and line managing four PE specialists and one member of support staff.
Director or Rugby 2015 – to date
· Liaising with other Directors of Rugby to co-ordinate block fixtures for the autumn term.
· Strategic planning of fixtures and negotiating new and existing fixtures.
· Coordinating College staff and providing coaching development for successful delivery of my coaching philosophy.
· Organising and coordinating the John Pieroni invitational U15s 7s tournament, 25 schools.
· Liaising with all relevant RFU, Surrey county and England School officials.
· Continue to develop my own professional development with the sport.
· Meet with DoS and Senior Leadership to discuss action plan, programme of study and any other issues.
· Talent identification of gifted pupils and liaising with affiliated professional club within the ‘Elite Player Development Programme’.
· Hiring of external staff: Writing the job specification, interviewing and working with coaches across all age groups.
· Managing of the largest budget within the extra-curriculum programme.
· Managing other Rugby related budgets; Rugby funds raised (tour fundraising), John Pieroni 7s (invitational 7 a-side tournament).
· Organising biannual tours to North America, Europe and other destinations. Liaising with host schools and coordinating hosting of pupils.
· Coordinate, manage and organise fundraising events, committee, parental contribution and finances.
· Updating Social Media of all Rugby fixtures, competitions and upcoming events.
· Organising and coordinating Surrey County U12s 7s tournament, over 40 schools.
· Ordering and maintaining equipment and facilities. Including liaising with the College’s full-time ground staff.
Head of Xavier House 2013 – to date
· Continued development of the whole school House system.
· Create and identify activities to promote a fully inclusive house system.
· Leading/chairing Heads of House meetings. Including annual strategic development and implementation. Setting the agenda for the meeting and reporting back to the Senior Leadership team.
· Planning and organising of all House sporting competitions and co-operating with other house competitions.
· Planning and delivering House assemblies to Xavier house. 4 per year.
· Use of house points data to implement strategies within my own tutor group.
· Update and input all house results data on to the school’s IT system.
· Coordinate and organise the KS3 house activities for Open evening.