PE Teacher

About the School - Oakfields

Oakfields Preparatory School is an independent day school located in Upminster, where tradition meets dynamism, creating an extraordinary pathway of opportunities for pupils aged 3 to 11.

At Oakfields, we prioritise small class sizes and provide a nurturing and stimulating environment. We are dedicated to delivering a bespoke and enriched curriculum tailored to each child's needs. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond academics; we prioritise the holistic development of each child, fostering their caring nature and building confidence.

We offer an energetic and diverse range of extra-curricular activities and enrichment programmes aimed at increasing learning opportunities for all children, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Our Core Values:

• Confidence: We foster self-belief, encouraging students to take risks, try new things, and have faith in their abilities.
• Collaborative: We emphasise the power of teamwork and working together, helping students build meaningful relationships and support one another.
• Curiosity: We encourage a love of learning, inspiring students to explore new ideas, ask questions, and seek understanding.
• Community: We value strong connections, both within the school and with our wider community, and promote a sense of belonging for all.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for a PE Teacher to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too.

We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 100 schools in 16 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class. 

It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.

About the role

We are excited to offer a dynamic and rewarding opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Physical Education (PE) Teacher to join the Oakfields Preparatory School community. This is a full-time, permanent role, and you will be a key member of our thriving PE department, teaching across EYFS (Kindergarten and Pre-Prep); Lower School (Year 1 – Year 3) and Upper School (Year 4 – Year 6).

At Oakfields, we believe in empowering students through physical education, nurturing not only their athletic abilities but also their character. Our core values—Confidence, Collaborative, Curiosity, and Community—guide everything we do. We are looking for a PE teacher who shares these values and can inspire students to achieve their full potential in a supportive and inclusive environment.

This is a full-time, permanent role with an April 2025 start date.

To see a full job description, click here.

Who we are looking for: 

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
• Degree in Physical Education or a related subject.
• Experience in teaching PE across Key Stages 1 and 2.
• Strong understanding of child development and effective pedagogical approaches in PE.
• Passionate and Motivated: Demonstrated enthusiasm for physical education, sport, and fostering confidence and curiosity in students.
• Excellent Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to build positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Organisational Skills: Ability to manage time effectively and plan extracurricular activities that align with the school’s ethos.

Desirable but not essential:

• Coaching experience in cricket and football.
• Experience in an independent school or similar educational environment.
• Additional qualifications in coaching, sports science, or safeguarding.
• First Aid certification or a willingness to undertake relevant training.

Benefits at Cognita

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience 
• Teacher’s Pension
• Free lunch provided during Term Time 
• School holidays and public holidays
• Free parking on site (subject to availability) 
• School fee discount 
• Exclusive third-party discounts 
• Professional Development 

 How to Apply

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of the Oakfields community—a place where we instil Confidence in our students, encourage them to be Collaborative, foster a Curiosity for learning, and build a strong sense of Community. If you are an inspiring PE teacher who is passionate about developing students both on and off the field, we would love to hear from you.

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is Sunday 19th January 2025.

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. 

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

EARLY APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW AND APPOINT PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE FOR THE RIGHT APPLICANT.