Debate-Coach-2nd-round-1

Academic with a very modern edge, Putney is a dynamic
and down-to-earth school that nurtures bright and
imaginative students.

Our unique brand of modern scholarship provides an
outstanding education that is bold, broad and above all,
relevant. We prepare students for the future by building
confident, hopeful young people, with agile, entrepreneurial
mindsets, equipping them with skills in everything from
design thinking to PPE. Our students go on to become
leaders in fields from medicine to politics, architecture to
the environment. Curiosity abounds with fun and
challenging lessons across an exceptionally rich curriculum
and with exciting co-curricular activities to match.

The school is set on a leafy campus in Putney, close to the
River Thames. As the largest school of the Girls' Day
School Trust (GDST) we have been leading the way in girls'
education since 1893 and today provide a happy and
progressive environment in which over 1000 pupils aged
between 4 and 18 years old can flourish.

We are consistently ranked among the top performing
schools both in London and the UK and are known for
producing young people who are ambitious, rounded and
responsible. They pursue their interests with passion and
humour while building the skills, self-awareness and
confidence to throw open doors and make their mark in the
world.

THE DEPARTMENT & THE ROLE
The key aims of our vibrant and successful debating
and public speaking provision at Putney High
School are:

• To foster and maintain a culture of oracy,


debating and public speaking.

• For students to be successful in nationally run


debating and public speaking competitions.

• For students to be confident speakers in a


variety of situations including interviews.

Putney High has become a prime mover on the
Debating circuit. The successful candidate will work
with the Debating and Public Speaking Lead to
maintain this status and build on it. They will also
work to ensure that we maintain a friendly,
enjoyable and accessible debating programme as
well as developing our elite squads., Current co-curricular responsibilities
To support the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead with delivering a weekly Debate Club for
Years 7-9 and the after-school Debating
Society for Years 9-13.
To support the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead with the organisation of debates and
competitions within the school and entry into
national competitions run by, among others,
the ESU, the Oxford Union, the Cambridge
Union, other University Competitions and the
GDST.
To support the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead in delivering opportunities for younger
teams to participate in, among others, the
GDST Junior Debating Competition, the
International Competition for Young Debaters
(ICYD) and friendly debates with local schools.
To support the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead with the organisation of the school inter-
house debating competition.
To organize and lead on weekend
competitions and complete the required
training in First Aid and trip leadership.

Organisational Skills
Supporting the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead in planning and organising trips to
competitions including using EVOLVE trip-
planning software and completing risk
assessments.
Supporting the Debating and Public Speaking
Lead with communication with pupils and
parents, in person and in writing., required to bring original identification documents (e.g.
passport) and if applicable proof of eligibility to
work/reside in the UK as well as documents confirming
educational and professional qualifications. A
confirmation of your address within the last three
months is also required.

Putney High School and the GDST are committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children,
and applicants must be willing to undergo child
protection screening appropriate to the post, including
checks with past employers and the Disclosure and
Barring Service.

At Putney High School, we embrace and celebrate
difference. We are proud to be an equal opportunity
employer and do not discriminate against any
employee or applicant based on their age, disability,
gender, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy
and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual
orientation. To ensure this, all positions are subject to
blind shortlisting.

Experience of debating at school and
university level.
A can-do attitude and willingness to learn new
skills associated with the role (for example
managing trips and risk assessments and
helping with the administration that underpins
debate competitions).
Flexibility in leading and attending debating
competitions in evenings and at weekends.

DESIRABLE
Debate coaching experience with young
people aged 11-18.
Experience of organising debate competitions.
Success in debating at National and/or
International level.

We are delighted that you are considering joining Putney High School. This is an incredible
community in which to teach, work and learn and this role offers an opportunity to play a part in
one of the UK's most exciting and successful schools.

Based in Putney, SW London, with a reputation for academic excellence and expert pastoral
care, we are a down-to-earth, innovative and unashamedly ambitious school where girls
achieve exceptional results and go on to an array of impressive destinations in the UK and
abroad.

The wealth of passions our pupils pursue is testament to an education that is intellectually thrilling
and fun, and to a dedicated staff body who interest, inspire and support our students to thrive.

We are known for our pioneering initiatives in everything from biophilia and design thinking to the
science of learning, and for our leading co-curricular programme. Our superb facilities include a
purpose-built Sixth Form Centre, a cutting-edge centre for Science, Music, Drama and Debating
and the only girls' school boathouse on a famous stretch of the River Thames.

With a focus on continued professional development, membership of leading organisations and a
superb package of personal benefits provided by the GDST, this is an opportunity to join a warm
and inclusive organisation which has been a powerful voice in education for over 150 years, and
to enjoy the camaraderie of a fantastic group of colleagues.

Thank you for your interest in our school. We hope you will make an application and we very
much look forward to meeting you.

Jo Sharrock
Headteacher

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

At Putney High School we are:

INNOVATIVE - Forward-thinking in our approach to
teaching and learning, ours is a culture that is modern,
relevant and inspires the idea-makers of the future.

INCLUSIVE - We offer a holistic education that
focusses on the individual and is outward looking -
encouraging integrity, compassion, respect and social
responsibility.

INTREPID - Interested and interesting, we are
unafraid to stretch our wings and to blaze trails,
curious to explore and to challenge limits.

INTELLECTUAL - Scholarly in our approach to
learning, we are creative in our thinking and bold in
our ambitions.