Mathematics Teacher (p/t 0.5)

St Helen’s is one of the leading independent day schools in the country, educating over 1100 girls aged 3-18. An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, passionate teacher to join our vibrant and  thriving Mathematics Department. Applications from experienced teachers and NQTs will be considered.

Mathematics at St Helen’s

The Department comprises the Head of Mathematics, a second-in-department, and eight other full and  part-time Mathematics specialists.  Teaching takes place in specialist, well-equipped classrooms with interactive whiteboards. Girls  follow the Edexcel IGCSE (higher tier) and those in the top sets are also prepared for OCR  Additional Mathematics. 

IGCSE results are excellent, with over 92% achieving grades A and A* in  2016.  The Key Stage 3 curriculum prepares girls for the rigours of the IGCSE course whilst offering many  opportunities for enrichment. Girls enter UKMT challenges and team competitions. Every year, six  girls attend the Royal Institution Hillingdon Mathematics Masterclasses. Trips to Maths in Action  lectures, the Bank of England and Bletchley Park are other enrichment activities which are  regularly offered by the Department.

A Level Mathematics is the most popular option in the Sixth Form. We will continue to follow the  Edexcel course next year as the A Level course moves to a fully linear model. We also offer Further Mathematics to both AS and A Level to a small but increasing number of  dedicated students. In 2016 our Further Mathematicians achieved a 100% A Level pass rate at A* or A  grade.  The Department has an enviable track record of successfully preparing students to apply for Mathematics courses at the most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Teaching at St Helen’s (job description)  

All teachers are expected to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning by: 

•  Preparing and delivering challenging and differentiated lessons 

•   Setting homework in accordance with the School’s homework policy

•  Marking work in accordance with the School’s marking policy 

•   Using all available data and information to ensure that each student is provided with an  appropriate programme of study 

•   Having a good understanding of the schemes of work they are following and how these fit into the overall scheme of work for the subject they are teaching 

•   Keeping up to date with developments in the teaching of their subject   

Person specification 

The successful candidate will have:

Essential: 

•    A good honours degree in Mathematics or a related subject 

•   Demonstrable passion for teaching Mathematics in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 

 Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment 

•    A clear motivation to work with young people 

•    The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with young people 

•    Commitment to further professional development 

A willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the School.

Desirable: 

•    A teaching qualification such as PGCE (or equivalent) 

•  The ability to teach Computer Science to KS3

•    Experience of teaching Mathematics (and Further Mathematics) across the secondary age range 

•    Evidence of further professional development 

•    Knowledge and experience of how ICT can be used to support learning  

The successful candidate will: 

•    Be an exceptional classroom practitioner and inspiring teacher of Mathematics 

•    Possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills 

•    Have excellent time management and organisational skills 

•    Be creative, imaginative and energetic 

•    Be able to motivate others  

The teacher should have knowledge and understanding of:  

•    Effective teaching and learning styles. 

•    Theory and practice of providing effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g.  classroom organisation, planning, teaching strategies and removing barriers to learning) 

•    Monitoring, assessment, recording and reporting of pupils’ progress •    An appreciation of how assessment supports effective learning 

•    The needs of pupils aged 11-19 

•    Legislation and best practice concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Individual  Learning Needs and Keeping Children Safe in Education. Person specification (cont.) 

Benefits of working at St Helen’s include:  

•    competitive salary scale with the opportunity to apply for contribution awards 

•    membership of the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme 

•    childcare voucher scheme 

•    access to the School’s swimming pool and fitness suite 

•    on-site parking and excellent public transport links 

•    free lunch and refreshments 

•   generous sick pay and maternity/paternity pay 

•    access to private medical insurance at group rates (contributory) 

•    a beautiful working environment – the School is set in a conservation site in excess of 20  acres 

•    a supportive community of highly motivated students and staff