Teacher of Academic Physical Education
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, passionate and suitably qualified teacher to join our thriving school from September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for someone keen to share their knowledge and love of Physical Education with enquiring and able young minds, within a friendly and supportive staff body. The successful candidate will be an academic specialist, capable of teaching GCSE and A Level PE.
The department is large, well-established and highly successful. Currently, over 75 pupils across the Fourth and Fifth Forms study GCSE PE. At A Level, Lower Sixth numbers for September are projected to be approximately 30, alongside 24 pupils progressing into the Upper Sixth. Examination outcomes are consistently strong, with recent GCSE results securing 70% at Grades 9–7 and A Level results above 80% at A*–B. Both courses follow the AQA specification.
We aim to foster an active and discursive engagement with PE as an academic discipline, delivering lessons that are intellectually rigorous and inspiring. Pupils are encouraged to think critically about sport and performance, while developing a deep understanding of the scientific and theoretical principles that underpin the subject. Our ambition is to challenge and stretch students, nurturing both their intellectual curiosity and their analytical understanding.
Broader school life
Canford is a successful co-educational boarding and day school with 650 pupils aged 13 - 18, of whom about a third are day pupils. It is set in over 250 acres of parkland just outside Wimborne and is a very enjoyable and dynamic place in which to work. All members of staff are encouraged to play a full part in the co-curricular activities of the school, whether in sport, theatre, music, or art. The pastoral side of the school is very strong, and over half the staff are involved in some way with house duties.
Canford has its own generous salary scale and accommodation may be available.
Applicants are welcome to contact the current Head of PE, Matt Collison, mdc@canford.com for further information.
Applications
Please ensure you include details of referees in your application. Please also upload a covering letter and full curriculum vitae. For queries contact the HR Department on 01202 847590 or by email: recruitment@canford.com.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 11th March 2026 and it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Wednesday 18th March 2026. Early applications are encouraged.
TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION
Canford is ‘a school community where all are inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel’.
This vision is not just a form of words. It underpins how we live and work together, how we seek to educate and support our pupils and how we develop our staff who commit so much of themselves to those young people in our care. As a community we bring a sense of purposeful engagement and a courageous attitude to the challenges and opportunities which life brings; we aim high but pursue our goals with humble ambition and we strive to make a real and positive difference to our world through gracious leadership.
Purpose:
All teachers should make a positive contribution to good practice in the school by generating enthusiasm for the work in their departments, building good relationships with colleagues, parents and pupils, and by encouraging and establishing high standards in the teaching and learning of a specific subject or group of subjects. In addition, they are asked to contribute fully to the wider educational offering including pastoral and co-curricular provision and to the development of the whole school community in accordance with the aims of the school.
All staff are expected to promote the safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare of all pupils at all times.
The core teaching hours take place from 0800 to 1800 Monday to Saturday, with wider contribution required for pastoral and co-curricular activities during evenings and weekends
Workload will be determined by the SLT in discussion with the teacher. Duties are likely to vary from teacher to teacher, but will include the following:
Academic responsibilities
· Prepare and deliver effective lessons according to schemes of work or as set out by the Head of Department/Line Manager.
· Set and mark work regularly for all pupils.
· Keep accurate records of pupils’ progress and achievements.
· Apply assessment framework as laid out by the Deputy Head Academic
· Set and mark a share of the internal examinations within the Department
· Set and mark coursework as required
· Write internal and external assessments/reports as required
· Attend and contribute to Departmental meetings
· Show willingness to share ideas and contribute to Departmental Resources
· Take a share of responsibility for activities organised by the Department (eg field trips, lectures, societies)
· Attend INSET meetings as required – demonstrate active engagement with CPD and an ability to share and apply this learning effectively.
· Attend Staff meetings as required
· Adopt a professional approach to teaching modelling behaviour expected of pupils
Co-curricular expectations:
Canford offers a wide and varied co-curricular programme including Sport, Music, Drama, CCF, Outdoor Adventure and Community Service. Typically, a full-time teacher without additional responsibilities would contribute 4 afternoons sessions (Monday to Saturday) per week, throughout the academic year. This would be pro-rata for part-time staff:
· Activities will be allocated which best align with a teacher’s skills and interests, where possible.
· A requirement to support weekend and evening activities during term-time
· An expectation to support School trips outside term-time.
Pastoral expectations:
· House duties will be required, allocated during evenings and weekends. Part-time teachers will be provided a pro-rata allocation.
· Staff attendance at assembly, chapel each week.
Other expectations include:
· All staff will be allocated tutees and will be required to meet the expectations of a Canford tutor, including tutor meetings in line with expectations set out by the School.
· An expectation to drive on School business, which may require you to complete a mini-bus driving assessment qualification (depending on ability/qualification).
· Timely completion of compliance training such as safeguarding, first aid and annual declarations to confirm an awareness and understanding of the School’s policies and procedures.
· Support marketing and admissions events such as Open Day, admissions assessment processes and other events involving feeder schools both on and off site where required.
· Support colleagues and engage with wellbeing initiatives both for pupils and staff.
No job description can fully encompass every aspect of this role and duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time.
TEACHER SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
• An honours degree in a relevant subject
• A track record of achievement and ambition
• Excellent subject knowledge
• Excellent communication skills
• Expert classroom management skills and rapport with pupils
• A considerable work rate and high degree of administration efficiency
• Good/effective ICT skills
• Love of working with young people
• Enthusiasm to participate in the School community, supporting a wide range of activities
• Strong, dynamic character
• Excellent interpersonal skills with good pastoral instincts
• Stamina, emotional intelligence and resilience
• Willingness to work on professional development and to assist others to do so
• Willingness to continue learning throughout your career
• Proven aptitude for organisation and quick logical thought
• Attitude, style and presence of a role model for pupils
Desirable
• A recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE
• Experience of classroom teaching
• Understanding of the boarding school environment
• Experience of working within a boarding school
• Ability and experience working in co-curricular areas such as sport, music, drama etc
Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undergo child protection screening.
