Teacher of Maths
Full time
Starting September 2024
Headington Rye Oxford is a vibrant and welcoming school set in 23 acres of playing fields and grounds. In an environment where individuals come first, Headington Rye Oxford is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, pastoral support and an impressive range of extra-curricular opportunities.
Executive Summary
We are seeking to appoint an innovative and inspiring teacher to join our large, dynamic Mathematics Department from September 2024. The successful candidate will work as part of the team, supporting the delivery of the subject at all Key Stages.
Headington Rye Oxford teachers benefit from an excellent CPD structure and we therefore also welcome applications from confident and well-qualified ECTs with relevant backgrounds and experience.
Maths at Headington Rye Oxford
A large and thriving department, the success of the Mathematics Department rests on close, productive working relationships, shared goals, innovative ideas and strong classroom practice. The department occupies a purpose-built teaching centre, with all classrooms equipped with interactive screens and whiteboards.
Mathematics is taught following the Pearson Delta course for U3-L4 (Years 7-8), leading into a three year Pearson GCSE Higher course starting in U4 (Year 9). In U3 (Year 7) the pupils are placed in mixed ability groups with ability sets created from L4 (Year 8) upwards. We have a dedicated problem-solving lesson once a fortnight with L5 (Year 10), and in U5 (Year 11) we use this fortnightly session to work on past paper practice. The majority of our resources are digital, including textbooks. All pupils in U3-U5 (Years 7-11) are issued with iPads which are actively used in all lessons.
Pupils at Headington Rye Oxford are highly motivated and achieve excellent results. In 2023, 55 percent of our U5 (Year 11) candidates achieved grades 9-8 at GCSE (Edexcel), and 68 percent grades 9-7. The most able students are also entered for the AQA Further Maths GCSE, with 87 percent achieving grades 9-8 in 2023.
For over a decade, Mathematics has been our most popular Sixth Form choice. About a quarter also study Further Mathematics. Our students are extremely ambitious, with 68 percent achieving A*- A at A Level in 2023, and 75 percent A*- B for Further Mathematics. The department also delivers a one-year AS Level Maths course in L6 (Year 12) in which 100 percent achieved grade A in 2023 and the first AS Further Maths group will be taking the exam this summer.
Headington Rye Oxford pupils also enjoy success in the UKMT National Mathematics Challenges at all levels, with many pupils progressing to the follow-on rounds, and benefit from the trips and study days led by the Department.
The inspiration, dedication and enthusiasm of the staff ensure the strong reputation of the department. At present, there are 14 members of staff in the Mathematics Department. All our staff take a full and active part in many different aspects of school life, pastoral, co-curricular as well as departmental.
We look forward to welcoming a new member to the team, one who shares our flair, commitment, and joy in the teaching of Mathematics.
Role Description
This is a full-time, permanent, position starting 1st September 2024.
Key Responsibilities
Academic responsibilities
In line with the Teachers’ Standards, all our teachers must plan and teach well-structured lessons of a consistently high standard which inspire, motivate and challenge our pupils. They must be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of how to adapt their teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils. Teachers must monitor the progress of their pupils, set appropriate targets and give regular feedback, encouraging their pupils to reflect on this feedback. Teachers must communicate effectively with parents by producing relevant reports and attending parents’ evenings as directed. Our teachers are expected to make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the School, developing effective professional relationships with colleagues to support the specific targets of the School, faculty and departmental development plans. They have a responsibility to work collaboratively with others in their department, contributing to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum within the relevant subject area.
The Maths Teacher will need the ability to teach across the key stages.
Co-curricular responsibilities
Teachers are expected to make a regular contribution to the co-curricular life of the School, through involvement in extra-curricular clubs, societies and activities and through attendance on academic, pastoral and co-curricular school trips. All staff attend competitive house meetings and assist with the running of internal house events and many staff choose to make a wider contribution to the School’s varied partnership and outreach programme.
Pastoral Responsibilities
All members of staff are tutors. Full-time members of staff are lead tutors, while part-time staff have a supporting role. Duties include registering the tutor group each morning, monitoring their attendance and initial stages of pastoral and academic welfare, teaching PSHE, attending year group meetings as required, attending assemblies with your tutor group and organising tutor group assemblies in conjunction with the School Chaplain.
Professional Development
All teachers are expected to show evidence of a continuing interest in professional and personal development and to consider the needs of the School and its development plans when planning Continuing Professional Development.
Headington Rye Oxford supports staff with a wide range of internal and external inset opportunities, including regular internally-delivered teaching and learning sessions, Initial Teacher Training sessions for those in the early stages of their career and regular whole-school inset designed to ensure teachers are up-to-date with statutory training in a variety of areas.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- A good honours degree relevant to the teaching aspects of the role
Desirable
- A recognised teaching qualification
Personal Attributes and Skills
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- ability to motivate and enthuse others
- adaptability and show good judgement
- an exceptional classroom practitioner
- positive manner and a sense of humour
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
- excellent organisational skills
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Full time, starting September 2024
Benefits
Pension
As per current legislation, eligibility is based on the School’s terms and conditions of eligibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for girls attending Headington School and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
The remuneration package
Headington Rye Oxford offers an enhanced teaching scale with points that equate to teaching experience and a leadership scale for responsibility. The salary offered will reflect the experience of the successful candidate and be commensurate with the post.
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Yoga, Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headington.org
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Closing Date: 12 noon Friday 26th April 2024
Interviews: week commencing Monday 29th April 2024
Please note that applications will be reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK. Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.