Head of Mathematics

Roles and responsibilities

1. Leadership and Management of the Mathematics Department:

• Department Leadership: Provide leadership and strategic direction for the mathematics department. Ensure that all staff are aligned with the school’s goals and that the department is working cohesively to meet student needs.
• Team Management: Lead, manage, and support a team of mathematics teachers. This includes conducting performance reviews, offering professional development opportunities, and fostering a collaborative and positive departmental culture.
• Resource Allocation: Oversee the effective use of departmental resources, including textbooks, teaching aids, technology, and budgeting. Ensure that teaching materials are up-to-date and aligned with curriculum changes.

2. Curriculum Development and Delivery:

• Curriculum Design: Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous review of the mathematics curriculum. Ensure the curriculum is challenging, balanced, and caters to the needs of all students, from beginner to advanced levels.
• Curriculum Mapping: Ensure that the curriculum is comprehensive and includes all necessary mathematical concepts, from basic arithmetic to advanced topics like algebra, calculus, and statistics, depending on the grade levels.
• Teaching and Learning Strategies: Promote the use of innovative teaching practices and strategies to engage students. Encourage the use of technology in teaching, such as educational software, online tools, and interactive whiteboards.

3. Assessment and Monitoring of Student Progress:

• Assessments: Oversee the development and implementation of assessments, including quizzes, tests, assignments, and exams. Ensure that assessments are fair, valid, and aligned with learning objectives.
• Tracking and Reporting: Monitor student progress through regular assessments and track achievement data to identify trends. Provide feedback to students, staff, and parents regarding academic performance.
• Data Analysis: Analyze student data to identify areas where students may be struggling and implement interventions or additional support as needed. Use assessment data to inform teaching and adapt the curriculum when necessary.

4. Professional Development and Staff Support:

• Mentoring and Coaching: Mentor and support mathematics teachers within the department. Offer guidance on lesson planning, teaching methods, classroom management, and professional development.
• Professional Growth: Encourage continuous professional development by organizing training sessions, attending relevant workshops, and providing opportunities for teachers to collaborate and share best practices.
• Performance Reviews: Conduct regular evaluations of teaching staff, provide constructive feedback, and set professional goals for development.

5. Student Support and Enrichment:

• Interventions: Identify students who are struggling and work with teachers to provide additional support, whether through extra lessons, peer tutoring, or one-on-one sessions. Develop tailored intervention plans to help students succeed.
• Gifted and Talented Students: Develop opportunities for advanced students to challenge themselves and extend their learning. This could include enrichment activities, math competitions, or access to higher-level content.
• Promoting Mathematical Literacy: Foster a passion for mathematics by encouraging students to explore the subject beyond the curriculum, organizing math clubs, competitions, and other extracurricular activities.

Desired candidate profile

Be a vocational and inspirational educator who supports an inclusive learning environment, with the ability to raise standards for all students
Be knowledgeable of and confident in the use of proven, effective teaching and learning methodologies, yet with the ability to ‘think outside of the box’ and be open to new approaches
Be fully committed to our high-performance learning philosophy (HPL) and the notion that every student can achieve
Have extremely high standards and expectations for all, and be able to work effectively under pressure with excellence as the primary goal
Be aspirational for themselves and their own development and career progression
Believe strongly in and fully support the wider extracurricular life of the school to develop fully rounded students
Have outstanding knowledge of their curriculum area and a passion for their subject.
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaboration with Other Departments: Work closely with other departments (e.g., science, technology, engineering, and economics) to integrate mathematics into cross-curricular projects and ensure students can apply their mathematical knowledge in real-world contexts.
Communication with Parents: Regularly communicate with parents regarding students’ progress, achievements, and areas for improvement. Attend parent-teacher meetings and provide insights into student performance in mathematics.
Involvement in School-Wide Initiatives: Collaborate with school leadership and other heads of department to contribute to school-wide initiatives, policies, and goals. This includes participating in meetings, school committees, and strategic planning.