Queen Anne’s School
Appointment of
Head of Mathematics
Applications should be marked ‘Private and Confidential’
Job Description
Post Title
Head of Mathematics
Reporting to
Deputy Head Academic
Accountable to
Headmistress
Queen Anne’s is one of the country’s leading independent boarding and day school for girls of 450
pupils, aged 11 to 18 years.
The School
Queen Anne’s is well known for its high academic standards and prides itself on providing students
with high aspirations and a positive approach to learning in an environment where they can grow
into motivated, decisive and self-assured individuals.
The school is renowned for its rich
programme of extra-curricular opportunities and excellence in the arts, drama, music and sport.
Located in Caversham, Berkshire, the school is situated to the north of Reading near Henley-onThames and is just over 40 minutes from London by car.
As a result of Queen Anne’s investing in updating and building new facilities, along with the
recruitment of excellent and skilled staff, the academic results have improved alongside increasing
pupil numbers.
The school takes its charitable status very seriously. Queen Anne’s offers a generous number of
scholarships and bursaries every year and our excellent facilities are enjoyed by members of the
local community as well as by members of the school.
Further details about the school are available on our website at www.qas.org.uk
The Department
The Mathematics Department at Queen Anne’s is a strong and successful one with three full-time
and three part-time experienced members of staff.
In years 7, 8 and 9 the programme of study is based on the National Curriculum, although we do
not enter any girls for SAT tests.
In years 10 and 11, all girls study Mathematics at higher level and the syllabus being followed is
EDEXCEL iGCSE Mathematics 4MA0. The majority of pupils will take examinations in the
summer of year 11. The top set are prepared for early entry in January of year 11, and they will
then study the AQA GCSE Further Mathematics. In June 2014, the pass rate was 92%, with 42%
of the grades at A and A*.
Mathematics is a popular subject in the Sixth Form and there are normally two Mathematics
groups as well as a Further Mathematics group studying the EDEXCEL modular specifications.
Girls are encouraged to choose pure mathematics with statistics in the year 12, and may then
choose mechanics, more statistics or decision mathematics in year 13.
In June 2014, 100% of
girls passed A2 Mathematics, with 42% of passes at A or A*.
From September 2015, we will offer EDEXCEL ‘Mathematics in Context’ in the Sixth Form (a Core
Mathematics qualification).
Main Duties
The Head of Mathematics will take responsibility for the leadership and strategic direction of
Mathematics within the School.
In addition to the requirements of a full-time teacher, the Head of Department is responsible for
the overall policy of the department and for contributing to whole-school policies. The Head of
Department should actively support and promote the ethos of the school.
He/she will be responsible for:
1.
The day to day running of the department: delegation of duties, classroom behaviour and
discipline within the department, liaising with staff in charge of “on call” and room provision
as required, referral of problems to the Deputy Head where necessary. Hold effective
department meetings on a regular basis.
2.
Specification and assessment: overseeing the preparation of Programmes of Study and
schemes of work for each year group; setting and marking term work, tests and
examination papers, monitoring new developments and adjusting departmental
specification accordingly.
3.
Maintaining academic standards:
organisation and efficiency of classroom teaching,
quality of teaching and learning within each teaching group, assessing, recording,
reporting, co-ordinating work of staff, supporting and guiding them when problems are
encountered.
5.
Finance and use of resources, stock and books, keeping departmental records and
stocktaking, checking that equipment and facilities are well maintained.
7.
Identifying training needs within the department.
9.
Ensuring that all materials to promote the department internally and externally are relevant,
attractive and up to date.
10.
Attending Head of Department meetings.
11.
Ensuring that all examination requirements are met and fulfilled.
12.
Organising varied educational visits and trips in the UK and abroad; ensuring that the
correct procedures, as specified in school policies, are carried out and adhered to.
13.
To actively engage in school initiatives including the current Life and Learning programme.
14.
Preparing and marking assessment day and Common Entrance papers for 13+
examinations and advising the Headmistress on the suitability of candidates.
15.
Organising displays for the A Level Fair, GCSE options evening and Open Days.
16.
Increasing cross curricular links and actively raising the profile of the department.
There will also be a requirement to fulfil any other duties as reasonably requested by your Line
Manager or the Headmistress.
As part of a boarding school community there will be a requirement for teaching staff to fulfil a
minimum of two evening duties between 4.30pm and 6.30pm and to commit to two Sundays a
year, which be a house trip or house cover. There is also a requirement to attend such functions
and or events that include participation from pupils particularly within staff members own tutor
groups, to support and encourage all those involved.
All employees are required to assist the School where necessary in applying UK Border Agency
policy with regard to overseas students. These duties include giving information, when requested,
to allow records to be kept on pupils' visas and attendance, as well as other matters.
Note: This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed as
part of the cycle of appraisal, and it may be subject to modification or amendment at any time
after consultation with the holder of the post.
Essential Requirements

A degree in Mathematics

Stamina, determination and passion for subject

Highly effective communication skills with pupils, parents and staff

Committed to promoting Mathematics across the whole school

Able to lead a department with a highly successful examination record

Prepared to attend internal and external training days

Be enthusiastic and able to motivate and inspire pupils

Excellent ICT skills and understanding of how to use IT in the classroom environment

The ability to and desire control the classroom whilst effectively managing all pupil
expectations

Able to demonstrate commitment to wider school life

Willing to act as an Tutor

Able to prioritise and manage time effectively

Able to working in an enthusiastic manner bringing new ideas and suggestions to the
department and the school

Able to demonstrate an interest in further professional development

Efficient and diplomatic when dealing with staff throughout the school

The desire for excellence in all areas

Flexibility
Desirable Requirements

Experience of working in a boarding school environment

Willingness to assist with after school activities

Willingness to drive the school minibuses

Attend weekend activities on occasions such as matches
Outline Pay and Conditions
A competitive starting salary will be offered in accordance with experience and qualifications.
The appointment will be conditional on a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure and the person
appointed will be required to work in accordance with the School’s Policy for Child Protection.
The school campus provides an attractive environment. Members of staff benefits include Pension
Scheme, Child Care Voucher scheme, School fee reduction where appropriate and excellent
training and Inset opportunities. Members of staff have the opportunity to use the school sport and
leisure facilities.
Queen Anne’s School is an ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) accredited centre for
training.
The Application Process
Please supply a completed application form and a letter detailing why you should be considered
for this role along with a current CV addressed to:
Mrs Judith Tremayne
HR Advisor
Queen Anne’s School
Henley Road, Caversham
Berkshire, RG4 6DX
Alternatively, please email hr@qas.org.uk
Queen Anne’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including
checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Queen Anne’s School is an equal opportunities
employer.
QUEEN ANNE’S SCHOOL
Heads of Department
Heads of Department provide professional leadership and management of their subject to meet
the aims of Queen Anne’s School, to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and
improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.
Objectives

To share in all aspects of school life, not simply those relating to the department.

To secure high standards of teaching and learning in the subject.

To ensure that practices improve the quality of education provided, meet the needs
and aspirations of all pupils, and raise standards of achievement.

To support, guide and motivate teachers in the subject.

To evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning, the subject curriculum and
progress of pupils. To identify needs in the subject and consider these in relation to
the overall needs of the School.

To understand how the subject contributes to school priorities and to the overall
education and achievement of our pupils.
Skills




Leadership skills – the ability to lead and manage people to work towards a common
goal.
Decision-Making Skills – the ability to solve problems and make decisions.
Communication Skills – the ability to communicate with a range of staff, pupils and
parents.
Self-Management Skills – the ability to plan time effectively and to organise oneself
well.
Strategic Direction and Development of the Subject:

Developing and implementing policies and practices for the subject which reflect
Queen Anne’s School’s commitment to effective teaching and learning, high
achievement and, as a boarding school, to the life of the school beyond the curriculum.

Creating a climate which enables staff to develop and maintain positive attitudes
towards the subject and confidence in teaching it.

Establish a clear, shared understanding of the importance and role of the subject in
contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development.

Use data to identify pupils who are underachieving and where necessary implement
plans of action to support these pupils.

Analyse and interpret relevant national, local and school data, research and inspection
evidence to inform development.

Establish development plans for the subject and monitor progress made in achieving
them.
Teaching and Learning

Ensuring curriculum coverage, continuity and progression for all pupils.

Ensuring that all pupils are well prepared for public examinations and other external
assessments.

Providing guidance on the choice of appropriate teaching and learning methods to
meet the needs of the subject and of different pupils.

Establishing and implementing clear policies and practices for assessing, recording
and reporting on pupil achievement, and for using this information to recognise
achievement.


Evaluating the teaching of the subject and using this analysis to identify good practice
and areas for improvement.
Ensuring effective development of pupils’ individual and collaborative study skills
necessary for them to become more independent in their work.
Leading and Managing Staff

Helping staff to achieve constructive working relationships with pupils.

Establishing clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff
who teach the subject through team working, delegation, and developing an
acceptance of accountability.

Performance managing staff as required by the school policy.

Leading professional development of subject staff through example and support and
co-ordinating the provision of professional development, including that of Trainee or
Newly Qualified Teachers.

Enabling teachers to achieve expertise in their subject teaching.

Ensuring that the SMT are fully informed about policies and plans, and progress in
meeting targets.
Efficient and effective deployment of resources

Establishing staff and resource needs for the subject and allocating the available
subject resources and budget with maximum efficiency to meet the objectives of Queen
Anne’s School and the subject.

Deploying staff to ensure the best use of subject expertise.

Ensuring the efficient and effective management and organisation of learning
resources.

Using accommodation to create an effective and stimulating environment for the
teaching and learning of the subject.

Ensuring that there is a safe working and learning environment in which risks are
properly assessed.