Head of Maths

The post of Head of Maths at St Leonards represents an outstanding opportunity for a first-rate leader to shape a clear and compelling vision for Maths teaching in an ambitious and welcoming environment. The Maths Department is a flagship department, regularly achieving outstanding results. This is an exciting time to be joining St Leonards as it approaches its 150th anniversary and builds on its success as one of the UK's leading independent and IB World Schools.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

STRATEGY:

• To devise and lead the implementation of a clear strategic plan, aligned with whole-school objectives, ensuring that the Maths Department is achieving at the highest level.

LEADERSHIP:

• To develop, lead and model a strong collegiate, collaborative and reflective culture amongst department staff, with the highest quality of experience of the pupil at its heart.
• To promote learning, teaching and effective performance management with other Heads of Department and key middle and senior leaders.
• To develop and promote the highest standards of teaching and learning and be able to monitor and evaluate our success in this area in line with the School and the IB’s vision.
• To be a visible ‘front-of-house’ and involved presence for pupils, parents and other key stakeholders.

MANAGEMENT:

• To line manage the Maths Department, regularly meeting staff throughout the year to give feedback, conduct performance reviews and support teaching staff in their professional development.
• To support Early-Career Teachers and Probationers in the department in the first years of their career and offer mentoring and support.
• To monitor the budget for internal and external in-service training and professional development concerning teaching and learning within the department, paying close attention to the requirements of the International Baccalaureate and other regulatory agencies.
• To oversee pupil teaching and learning feedback, acting on any concerns raised.

CURRICULUM, TIMETABLE, DATA & ASSESSMENT:

• To ensure consistent and coherent application of the values of the learner profile across all areas of the curriculum.
• To oversee the recording and reporting, tracking and monitoring of individual pupils within the department and adopting suitable intervention strategies.
• To consistently evaluate the curriculum provision in the department, identifying areas for development and training needs for staff.
• To work with the Timetabler to ensure that staffing allocations are met.
• To work closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) in identifying staffing needs within the department.

EVENTS & PUBLICATIONS:

• To lead a range of super-curricula events and activities which promote Maths to the wider school community.
• To be a key presence at open mornings and other important whole-school events.

CHILD-PROTECTION, SAFEGUARDING, PUPIL WELFARE, MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING:

• To undertake all relevant Child Protection and Safeguarding training as required.
• To ensure a caring and developmental approach to any issues that arise and with the best interests of the child and community in mind.
• To ensure that the complaints policy is followed effectively, carry out appropriate investigations when concerns are raised and ensure that any formal procedure is followed in a fair and equitable manner.

COMPLIANCE

• To ensure compliance, in terms of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC), child protection and pupil welfare, with the requirements of any inspecting agency, such as HMI, the Care Inspectorate, the IB and other relevant authorities.
• To contribute willingly to the boarding and co-curricular life of the School.
• To adhere to the GTCS Code of Professionalism and Conduct as well as the School’s expectations and policies for behaviour and conduct.
• To be aware of and apply the School’s policy on Health and Safety, including matters relating to risk assessments, fire regulations and maintenance/works issues, to help to ensure the safety of staff and pupils and to raise their attention to Health and Safety regulations and responsibilities.
  
  Please see the job pack for further information.

Closing time and date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 19th January 2025.

About St Leonards

St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location - there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep.

St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum (which has been praised by university admissions officers for its focus on deepening learning learning, offering wider subject options, and enriching minds) for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey. The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme.

St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey, horse riding, and small-bore rifle shooting. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world. Truly an education ‘Ad Vitam’ (for life).