QUEEN ANNE’S SCHOOL
APPOINTMENT
OF
Head of Mathematics
Applications should be marked “PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL” and
addressed to:
Judith Tremayne
HR Advisor
Queen Anne's School
Henley Road
Caversham
Reading
RG4 6DX
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title
Head of Mathematics
Reporting to
Deputy Head, Academic
The School
Queen Anne’s School is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 – 18
years situated in the northern suburbs of Reading at Caversham. The School is affiliated to
the Girls’ Schools Association. There are at present over 320 pupils of whom
approximately half are boarders. The School forms part of the Grey Coat Hospital
Foundation with its offices in Westminster. The other school in the Foundation is the Grey
Coat Hospital, a voluntary aided Church of England Comprehensive School in
Westminster. Queen Anne’s was founded in 1894 although the Grey Coat Foundation goes
back to 1698.
The School is well known for its high academic standards and its caring Christian
community way of life. The School occupies an attractive 35 acre site. Since the School
was founded, it has been considerably enlarged and, in the last ten years, in excess of £10M
has been spent on new facilities and refurbishment. Among the major projects has been a
£3M sports centre, a state of the art £3M science centre and a new Art and Design Centre.
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 MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
The Mathematics Department at Queen Anne’s is a strong and successful one with four
experienced members of staff. The course followed is EDEXCEL IGCSE 4400. All girls
work towards the higher level papers which are sat in the summer of Year 11. Some may
be entered at foundation level and this decision is made after the mock examinations in
January. Last year all girls passed with grade C or above with 60% gaining A or A* grades.
Additional Mathematics is also offered in year 11 as an extra single lesson per week. All
girls entered last year gained A grades.
Mathematics is a popular subject in the Sixth Form. Girls choose between Pure
Mathematics and Mechanics and Pure Mathematics and Statistics, depending on their other
A-Level choices. Last year 79% of girls completing the full A2 course gained grade A.
There is also a Further Mathematics group who complete AS and A2 Mathematics in the
Lower Sixth. In the Upper Sixth, their choice of applied modules for the Further
Mathematics qualification will depend on their individual needs. Some may only continue to
AS Further Mathematics. Last year, 70% of girls gained A grades.
The Department is looking to extend the use of ICT where relevant and to make greater
use of the excellent computing facilities available for whole class teaching.
Staff are expected to teach at all levels and to all abilities, although preference and
experience are borne in mind when allocating classes.
THE POST
The post is a full-time one. 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. The Head of Department is expected to teach approximately 28 periods per week
and should undertake one prep supervision, one evening duty per week in a day or
boarding house and two on-calls. He/she should oversee the following areas:
1.
Yearly allocation of staff teaching time, number of periods taught and teaching
groups.
2.
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 senior members of
staff where necessary.
3.
Syllabus and assessment: devising schemes of work for each year group updating
the internal syllabus, setting and marking term work, tests and examination papers,
monitoring new developments and adjusting departmental syllabus accordingly.
4.
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.
6.
Staff and pupil information: distribution of information in and out of the
department, departmental meetings, health and safety in liaison with the Health
and Safety Officer.
7.
Advice to the Head on staff appointments
8.
Implementing the school’s appraisal programme and monitoring staff progress and
development, in particular overseeing new teachers appointed to the department
and mentoring newly qualified teachers. Identifying training needs within the
department.
9.
Attending Head of Department meetings and liaising with other Heads of
Department and Head where necessary.
10.
Co-operating with other Departments.
11.
Organising educational visits and trips; ensuring that the correct procedures, as
specified in school policies, are carried out and adhered to.
Additional duties specific to the Head of Mathematics are:
1.
Prepare and mark sixth form scholarship examinations.
2.
Prepare and mark 11+, 12+ and 13+ scholarship examinations.
3.
Prepare and mark assessment day papers for Year 7 and 9 applicants.
4.
Mark 11+ and 13+ Common Entrance papers and advise the Headmistress on the
suitability of candidates.
5.
Prepare and mark entrance papers for girls applying to the school outside of the
normal application processes in consultation with the registrar.
6.
Organise the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Mathematics challenges.
7.
Be prepared to tutor candidates sitting STEP examinations in Upper 6.
8.
Be prepared to teach Additional Mathematics to any year 11 pupils.
9.
Organise displays for the A level fair and Open Days.
The post holder will also be expected to carry out any other duties as reasonably
requested by their Line Manager.
Essential Requirements;
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a well-qualified teacher
a newly qualified or experienced teacher
be committed to promoting mathematics as a subject across the whole school
be able to lead a department with a highly successful examination record
Excellent subject knowledge
Excellent communication skills with pupils, parents and staff
Must be prepared to attend internal and external training days
Must be enthusiastic and able to motivate and inspire pupils
Good ICT skills
Excellent classroom control
Able to demonstrate commitment to wider school life
Willing to act as Academic Tutor
Able to prioritise and manage time effectively
Able to work in an enthusiastic manner bringing new ideas and suggestions
The desire for excellence in all areas
Flexibility
Desirable requirements
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Good level of IT knowledge
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Experience of working in a boarding school environment
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Willingness to assist with after school activities
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Knowledge of basic Health and Safety
Outline Pay and Conditions
A competitive starting salary will be offered in accordance with experience and
qualifications. This salary will be reviewed annually. The school campus provides an
attractive environment. Members of staff have the opportunity to use the school sport and
leisure facilities.
Normal retirement age: 65
The application process
Please supply a letter of application detailing why you should be considered for this role
along with a current CV , addressed to Judith Tremayne, HR Advisor, Queen Anne’s
School, Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6DX.
The deadline for applications is : Friday 13 February 2009
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 Criminal Records Bureau.
Queen Anne’s School is an equal opportunities employer.