The Post
The Prep School Director of Sport will oversee all PE, Swimming and Games and will be responsible for the smooth running of sport throughout the Prep School. We are looking for a well qualified and outstanding teacher with expertise and experience. Applicants should have high expectations of pupil achievement and behaviour, with excellent organisational and time-management skills. The successful candidate will bring energy, warmth and enthusiasm and a high degree of professionalism to the role. They will work closely and collaboratively with the Senior School Director of Sport and with other colleagues and coaches across the whole School.
Ever mindful that enjoyment is a key factor in children’s participation in PE, Swimming and Games, staff in the department strive to instil the foundations of a life-long love of sport, health and exercise. It is important that our pupils benefit not just physically and that they have opportunities to develop teamwork, decision making, respect, humility and social skills. To that end, we run many teams across a wide variety of sports so as to offer all pupils the opportunity to learn new skills, improve existing skills and represent their School, whilst also promoting excellence for county, regional or even national honours. The Director of Sport is supported by an Assistant Director of Sport and visiting sports coaches as well as teachers and other school staff.
Spirited internal House (Castle) competitions foster friendly rivalry whilst offering a supportive arena for all pupils to contribute, whatever their level of ability. Additionally, we host a wide number of tournaments and events in football, cricket, hockey, rugby, swimming, cross country and netball where both prep schools and primary schools are invited to compete. There are also county and regional sporting events that we enter throughout the year and we finish the year with our EYFS and Prep Sports Days. There is also a rich and varied clubs programme before, during and after School in which almost all children participate.
We have excellent facilities on our own site and we are also fortunate to be able to have use of those at our Senior School too. On the Prep site we have a full-size Astro-Turf, tennis and netball courts, extensive sports fields, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a sports hall, permanent cricket nets and a grass athletics track. We also have extensive grounds and play spaces for the children to use. On the Senior School site we have an all-weather athletics track, an AstroTurf and other indoor and outdoor facilities, cricket pitches and an indoor 25m swimming pool.
In short, this is a fabulous role in a wonderful School.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Develop and implement the sporting strategy including related policies;
- Establish a dynamic environment which promotes all sports, establishing short, medium and long term plans for each sport;
- Manage and maintain teaching areas and equipment to facilitate stimulating learning environments which make effective use of available resources;
- Ensure that resources are accurately recorded and looked after;
- Use the annual budget for the delivery and further development of sport;
- Attend Heads of Department, Health & Safety and Full Staff meetings;
- Contribute to the induction of new staff and the coaching of all staff within the department;
- Ensure that those responsible for taking sports and teams are given appropriate guidance, training and information on their roles;
- Conduct regular meetings with key staff involved in School sport;
- In conjunction with the Marketing Department and School Office, ensure that sports results, sports photography and website information are kept up to date and communicated;
- Stay informed about and respond accordingly to national initiatives in sport and the implications for the School;
- Work closely with colleagues to develop the timetabling arrangements for sports in each term.
Sports Operations
- Be an outstanding and effective communicator, who builds excellent relationships with children and parents through all channels;
- Ensure that the fixture and sporting events timetable is finalised in good time in advance of the termly calendar review;
- Ensure that fixtures are arranged and kept up to date on all systems, with results communicated often;
- Ensure that swimming arrangements are in place, including lessons, clubs and galas (an ability to teach swimming would be helpful);
- Organise inter House (Castle) sporting events;
- Ensure that appropriate transport is arranged for each away fixture or event;
- Run or oversee various sporting clubs across the academic year;
- Liaise with the catering staff regarding the provision of packed meals, early meals and match teas for both home and away fixtures, as required;
- Instil and maintain the highest standard of dress and behaviour from pupils and staff at fixtures and during sports sessions, ensuring that kit is ordered, distributed, consistent and correct;
- Contribute articles to promote sport and wellbeing to the wider School community through the School’s weekly newsletter as required, as well as weekly assembly updates;
- Develop a constructive and supportive relationship with the Prep School’s SMT, Director of Music and Head of Drama, and with the Senior School Director of Sport and other Schools.
Teaching and Assessment
- Assume overall responsibility for the delivery of a broad and engaging PE, Swimming & Games programme across the School (PE from Nursery-Y6 and Games from Y2-6);Regularly review and evaluate teaching and learning within the department;
- Produce reports and assessment grades in line with School model;
- Support Sports Scholarship applications for pupils to the Senior School and other schools;
- Manage, officiate and coach teams directly and guide colleagues accordingly;
- Produce detailed reports of the department’s activities and performance for SMT and Governors as required.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Build and uphold an excellent relationship with the grounds staff to ensure that outdoor sporting facilities and pitches are produced and kept to the highest possible standard;
- Liaise with the grounds and maintenance staff and Estates Bursar to ensure that indoor sports facilities are suitably maintained;
- Ensure that all relevant aspects of Health and Safety are understood and procedures are followed;
- Work with the Bursary and SMT to ensure that risk assessments are up to date and regularly reviewed;
- Keep up to date with legislation, guidance and amendments to best practice and rules;
- Maintain good order and promote high levels of discipline among the pupils when participating in sporting activities;
- Safeguard pupils’ health and safety at all times when they are authorised to be on the School premises and when they are engaged in authorised School activities elsewhere;
- Ensure that the safety of pupils and staff complies with the School’s Health and Safety Policy.
Deadline for applications: Monday 1st June 2026
We welcome early applications, and we may interview candidates and appoint before the closing date.
Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Sutton Valence School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including:
• Checks with past employers;
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check;
• Declaration of medical fitness.
Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.
