- Job title: Debating Coach
- Job Type: Casual
- Salary: £35 per hour
- Department: Co-Curricular
- Reporting to: Assistant Head (Pastoral and Co-Curricular)
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: September 2025
- Closing Date: 23 May 2025 at 12:00 pm
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Are you an experienced debater or established debating coach interested in supporting enthusiastic and talented young people to further develop their public speaking and oratory skills?
Debating is a popular co-curricular choice at Highgate, and it has grown tremendously as a competitive activity in recent years. This role will build on the successes of our previous debating coach, especially in improving our performance at top competitions and expanding our pool of competitive debaters who are pupils aged 11-18. Recently, Highgate teams have been finalists at top national tournaments (such as the Oxford Union, Cambridge Union, and ICYD) and Highgate pupils have been shortlisted for Team England selection.
The successful candidate will be line-managed by the Assistant Head (Pastoral and Co-curricular).
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The DepartmentHighgate has over 150 co-curricular activities, clubs and societies on offer in the Senior School to ensure pupils get to try something different, discover a new hobby and make new friends.
Time is set aside each week for all pupils to take part in at least one co-curricular activity of their choice, and we're always expanding and adapting our offering to make sure there's something to suit everyone's interests.
We take pride in how our pupils:
- Enjoy exploring their interests and enthusiasms
- Develop personal qualities such as self-motivation, collaboration and leadership
- Contribute positively to our School and wider communities
By debating at Highgate, I learned to express my thoughts clearly and persuasively, which has been great for my confidence. I loved being part of a team and making new friends. I highly recommend that all pupils give it a try, even if shy or nervous at first - they'll be surprised by what they can achieve.
- Year 9 Debate team member and finalist in the International Competition for Young Debaters
Job Description
Responsibilities- Leading a high-performance Debating programme for pupils aged 11-18 in line with the British Parliamentary (BP) format of debating
- Planning and delivering two x 1.5 hours weekly training sessions (from 4-5.30pm) for pupils (Junior/Senior) who are interested in competitive debating and are preparing to enter competitions; ensuring that these sessions are engaging, inclusive and support the pupils to develop their skills
- Selecting pupils for the team competitions; ensuring that the selection process is fair, open and understood by all
- Organising external competition entries; liaising closely with the member of Highgate staff with responsibility for the co-ordination of the debating trip administration
- Attending external competitions (usually Saturday or Sunday) as necessary and as agreed (in accordance with the debating schedule)
- Updating the Communications department as appropriate e.g. to inform them of particular competition successes
- Advising, where appropriate, on existing internal debating provision
- Developing pupils' interest in Debating at Highgate and developing the debating programme itself (particularly as it pertains to external competitive debate)
- Adhering to the Staff Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy and procedures
- Depending on the candidate's experience, there is scope to further develop this role
Person Specification
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications and Experience
- Essential
- Expertise in debating and public speaking
- Experience in coaching young debaters
- Excellent understanding and experience of BP debating
- Knowledgeable across a broad range of topic areas and enthusiastic about developing their knowledge further
- Has begun or completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent
- Excellent communication skills
Desirable
- Experience of being a judge in competitions
- Experience of competing in school BP debating
BenefitsLocation | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered - 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Lunch | A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks' full pay, then 10 weeks' half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at HighgateA culture of community, kindness and belongingHighgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
Following a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in September 2024 to assess Highgate's regulatory compliance and school standards, we are pleased to share the inspection findings, which reports compliance in all five areas and a 'significant strength' in our teaching expertise.
Staff wellbeingHighgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Work with us Aims + Ethos
"I really enjoy working in an environment which is focused on education and wellbeing. And the kids are great!"
- A new member of Support Staff
Charitable work and sustainabilityAs an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible - through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham - an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure- Closing Date: 23rd May 2025
- Interviews: w/c 2nd June 2025
Contact: The Recruitment Team is happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered 'as and when' received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply here
InclusionWe know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
SafeguardingAs this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate's Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you applyHighgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities. DBS Privacy Policies
Please note that this role is 'exempt' from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not 'protected' (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. DBS Code of Practice
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.