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Whole School Director of Sport

  • On-site
    • São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Whole School

Job description

General

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational and talented Director of Sport, who will have a Whole School remit.  An enthusiastic, well-qualified, ambitious and dedicated teacher is sought to lead all aspects of PE and sport both within and beyond the curriculum.  St. Paul’s has an excellent reputation in school sport and the expectation is that the Director of Sport will continue in this tradition, seeking always to find ways to improve and develop new opportunities.

About us:

St. Paul’s was founded in 1926 and was the first school in South America to receive accreditation from the UK government as a British School Oversees. Fully coeducational, with about 1,000 pupils, aged from 3 to 18, it is a school with history and tradition, but which embraces innovation, contemporary values and the latest in digital learning. We are a world-class school, and an international member of HMC and IAPS, and a member of COBIS and the LAHC. We are proud of our local, national and international reputation and we constantly strive to improve the opportunities for our pupils and staff. Our recent BSO inspection judged us as a leading British School overseas, and you can download the report from our website. Our exceptional facilities place teaching and learning at the heart of the school.

Watch a video of the school:


The Sports & PE Department

The department consists of two PE Coordinators (one for Junior and one for Senior School), who have a team of PE teachers and assistants, plus one Sports Clubs Coordinator, responsible for four specialist outsourced coaching companies in football, basketball, volleyball and swimming.
The PE Department has great facilities. Outdoor facilities consist of a large field, where football and athletics are played. Inside we have a 25 metre four-lane swimming pool, a multipurpose area, basketball and volleyball courts. These are used by the school both within and beyond the school day.
The PE department delivers academic PE throughout Junior and Senior Schools (years 2 to 13). Pupils are taught a wide range of sports and physical activities, with both individual and team games being popular. The school has an extensive and comprehensive co-curricular programme of sports for pupils which are both popular and represent a high standard of performance. St. Paul's teams are highly competitive in tournaments and individual matches against schools (both Brazilian and international schools) and they also have the opportunity to be involved with sports tours at home and overseas. Sport has a high profile in the school and the department is well resourced and supported by the wider school community.

The post will appeal to an established and experienced leader of PE and sport, who may have demonstrated excellence as an athlete and will have demonstrated their capability in teaching and coaching a sport to the highest standard. The successful candidate will be passionate about excellence in sport and will embrace sport for all as a crucial part of the co-curricular offer of the life of this world class school.

Main Responsibilities

In addition to the general and specific areas of responsibility of a subject teacher, the Director of Sport is expected to assume the following responsibilities.

  • Within the curriculum, to promote and develop high standards of teaching and learning in the department and to monitor teaching and learning strategies.
  • To prepare a departmental handbook, entries for curriculum handbooks and department reports according to an agreed format.
  • To oversee the continued development of schemes of work as appropriate in meeting the full range of pupil needs.
  • To ensure that the department implements the reporting and assessment policy of the school.
  • To liaise with the Senior and Junior School leadership teams to ensure curriculum continuity and progression in physical literacy.
  • Lead and support the PE Coordinators for Junior and Senior School.
  • To lead, oversee and encourage participation and engagement with sport for all in the school (pupils and staff, where appropriate), at an appropriate level in a variety of contexts.
  • To support the Sport Coordinator and oversee tours, trips, competitions and activities beyond the curriculum to further enrich the provision of sport throughout the school.
  • To work with the relevant staff to develop community links.
  • To arrange staff professional development and ensure that continual professional learning is cascaded in the department, recorded and implemented in teaching strategies as appropriate.
  • To control and be responsible for departmental budgeting where relevant within the general limits discussed with the Heads of school, and to order and organise resource material taking responsibility for the recording, storage and safe handling of equipment and materials in consultation where appropriate with the Bursar.
  • To champion and lead on the importance of health and safety and its management in the department and its activities.
  • To organise and lead departmental meetings, to provide occasion for consultation and discussion of matters relating to the department and its policies. Minutes of the meetings should be kept and circulated.

Accountability

  • To report regularly to the Heads of school about developments in PE and sport.
  • To oversee the work, development and support all members of your department.

To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as the Heads of school may reasonably direct from time to time.

This job description will form part of the annual cycle of the staff review and development process and this will be an opportunity to refine certain aspects and functions listed.


STEPS OF RECRUITMENT PROCESS


St Paul’s is working with ICE Education on this appointment. Potential applicants can arrange a preliminary discussion, to find out more about the role, the school and living in Brazil. To do so, contact Daniel Scargill, Recruitment Director to arrange a conversation. Email dan@ice-education.co.uk.

Following this, we will conduct two remote interviews with our HR team and the Head of Senior School. As this is a key leadership position within the School, the intention is for finalists to travel to São Paulo and spend a few days at St. Paul's for the final interviews and engagement with key stakeholders.

Applications will be considered as they arrive and the school reserves the right to appoint it at any time.


CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30th November 2024


Benefits 

For expatriates the package is a two-year (renewable) contract that includes: housing allowance (only flats covered); furnishing allowance; grocery allowance; annual return flights; luggage allowances (inbound and return); visa expenses covered; opt-in private pension scheme; local healthcare and dental plan, on-site lunch.


Living in Brazil and in São Paulo city

“It only took a matter of months for me to fall in love with Brazil: the warmth of its people; their optimism and zest for life; their willingness to help strangers and their ever-readiness for a party! This, against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, incredible wildlife and some of the best beaches I have ever seen make Brazil an unrivalled country to call home away from home. More locally, São Paulo is an elating metropolis to live in: I love how diverse it is demographically; how green and leafy it is; the excellent arts and culture options; the food offering is second-to-none and the nightlife is awesome. In all, São Paulo (and Brazil) are the best places to live if you value good people, fun, quality of life and heady adventure.” - Mr Jonathan Tarrant, Second in the English Department in Senior School.


Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks (including Internet and Social Media profiles and exposure), an overseas check if appropriate and a pre-placement medical assessment. Proof of entitlement to work in Brazil is also required where necessary.


Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

St Paul’s is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value of diverse environments and strive to promote a culture in which all pupils, staff and members of the school community are welcomed and supported to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair treatment, embarrassment, discrimination, bullying and harassment.


Job requirements


  • To be a good honours graduate with excellent teaching skills, subject knowledge and a passion for education.
  • To have a certified teaching qualification, e.g. a PGCE from the UK
  • To be a qualified PE teacher with coaching experience.
  • To have experience of teaching and coaching a range of school sports.
  • To be professional in outlook and conduct.
  • To be flexible in attitude and approach.
  • To have the ability to lead, motivate and inspire others: both colleagues and pupils.
  • To have the ability to work well with others in small teams.
  • To have the ability to manage a considerable workload and have a high degree of administrative efficiency with the ability to work to deadlines.
  • To have excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage resources, people and complex systems effectively.
  • To have excellent inter-personal and communication skills.
  • To have the sensitivity to deal with difficult pastoral and staffing issues.
  • To have a positive approach to problem solving.
  • To feel confident about leading continual professional development for their team.
  • To have a proactive attitude towards participation in continual professional development and the school’s staff review and development provision.
  • To be resilient and cheerful.


Experience of overseas educational environments is not essential but would be an advantage.


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