Lead Practitioner in Maths - Fixed Term

Lead Practitioner in Maths - Fixed Term

Please note that this role is not suitable for Early Career Teacher (ECT) candidates.

Job Overview

If you’ve got the talent, passion, and determination – we’ve got all the support you need to become our next Subject Leader in Maths.

At Shire Oak Academy, we are on an ambitious journey of improvement and growth. We want leaders who are ready to embrace this challenge and seize the opportunity to make a real difference. This is your chance to step up, shape the future of Maths at our school, and truly #BeIncredible.

From day one, you’ll have the backing of a dedicated mentor as well as phenomenal support from our Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. You’ll also be part of a wider team of colleagues who share a deep commitment to increasing opportunities and improving outcomes for every single student.

We are looking for someone who:

• has the vision, ambition, and resilience to lead change.

• is a strong mathematician and a good team player.

• is passionate about Mathematics and can inspire both students and staff.

• believes in high expectations for all and shares our ethos of doing the right thing by our students.

Whether you’re already leading a Maths department, or you’re an ambitious teacher ready to step up, we want to hear from you.

About Shire Oak Academy

Shire Oak Academy is at the heart of the community in Walsall. We are proud to be part of the Mercian Trust, a family of schools united by a commitment to students and to one another. Our Trust focuses on collaboration, integrity, and above all, doing what is right for young people.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a school that is determined to raise aspirations and transform outcomes for our students. You’ll be joining a dedicated staff team and working with fantastic students, supported by great middle leaders who are making a real impact every day.

More about the role

As Subject Leader in Mathematics, you will:

• provide strategic and pedagogical leadership for the Maths department.

• inspire and motivate colleagues to deliver high-quality teaching and secure outstanding outcomes.

• drive a culture of high expectations, resilience, and achievement across the department.

• work closely with senior leaders and the Mercian Trust Maths network to shape curriculum, raise attainment, and innovate in teaching practice.

You will need to:

• be a strong classroom practitioner with a proven track record of success at KS3 and KS4.

• show strong leadership potential with the ability to challenge, support, and develop others.

• possess the drive to make a significant difference to the lives of our students, and to play a central role in our academy’s improvement journey.

In return, we offer:

• extensive professional development opportunities within the Mercian Trust.

• the chance to work with a network of talented Maths leaders across the Trust.

• opportunities to teach at KS5.

• a dedicated and committed staff team.

• fantastic students and great middle leaders.

• benefits that come with being part of a strong and supportive multi-academy trust.

• a genuine opportunity to shape the future of Shire Oak Academy and the lives of our young people.

We encourage you to visit to see the department and meet the team having read the full application pack. You’ll be pleasantly surprised !

At Shire Oak Academy, we will invest in you and support you to reach your potential. As a school we are only as good as the people we work with and to ensure that we get the best from our young people, we need to make sure that we also get the best from our staff. Relationships matter and this is at the heart of what we do every day in our school and as one of 12 schools within the Mercian Trust.

Shire Oak Academy is not the easier school to work in currently, but we encourage you to visit to see we are far more than our most recent Ofsted report. We have a new Leadership Team, led by experienced Headteacher Matthew Everett and we would welcome applications from those wishing to join us on the exciting journey that Shire Oak is currently
on. We are a community secondary school in Walsall Wood and proud of our inclusivity. Our ethos is built upon #BeIncredible and we accept that young people are going to make mistakes, but through positive interactions and support we will help to ensure that they fall less often and can reflect and learn from their mistakes and #BeIncredible in all that they do . Through our House System, and form tutors, we provide the care and support that is needed for all individuals and their families, including healthy competition. Everyone within the academy is expected to be an active member of their house, students and staff alike!

As well as offering a knowledge rich curriculum, which includes the full spectrum of creative subjects, we also offer an extensive enrichment and extra-curricular programme. Our drama shows are as good as what you would see in the local theatres, our sports teams are committed and driven taking part in local and regional competitions, and our wide array of trips provide awe and wonder for our young people. If there is an opportunity to improve the cultural capital of our young people, we will always be open to ideas.

The design of our building is unique, a huge campus at the highest point in Walsall with incredible views and huge open spaces, with top of the range facilities, including sport, technology and photography spaces.

Come and see what Shire Oak Academy has to offer, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Closing date - 27th February 2026

For a more detailed look at our Academy access our website.

Further details are available by contacting the Headteacher’s PA by e-mail on s.read@soa.merciantrust.org.uk 

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Pre-employment checks include an enhanced disclosure and barring service check as a requirement of this post. Our Safeguarding Policy is available on our website, and we encourage applicants to review it before applying. 

This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Further details regarding this check are available from the school.