Teacher of Mathematics

An able mathematician who is also an inspiring teacher is required for this large and successful department to teach full-time across the entire range of ages and attainment at Highgate from Year 7 to Year 13 Further Mathematics, STEP and Oxbridge preparation. 

The successful candidate should be academically well qualified: it is expected that applicants will have excellent grades in A Level (or the equivalent) Mathematics and, preferably, Further Mathematics, and have taken a degree, or pursued a career, containing a significant amount of Mathematics. The Department has significant experience in successfully training teachers who enter the profession without formal teaching qualifications (including the current Heads of Department and the current Director of Studies) and in providing suitable opportunities for continued professional development for all colleagues. 

Our department teaching style is Socratic: pupils encounter new material through exploration and problem solving. We aim for pupils to take real ownership of their Mathematics by ensuring that all new study comes from them. This approach leads to a deeper understanding of the subject and helps pupils become the best mathematicians they can be. The successful candidate will subscribe to this teaching methodology, ensuring that their pupils’ experience of the subject is robust, challenging and enjoyable.  

We have 24 specialist Mathematics teachers and Mathematics is the most popular A-level choice at Highgate. Standards of achievement are high: this summer 71% of A Level candidates were awarded an A* or A grade. There are around 35 Further Mathematicians in Year 12 and Year 13, from which there are usually a number of successful Oxbridge applicants. In 2018-19, all pupils in Year 11 took the new AQA 1-9 GCSE qualification; 64% of pupils attained a grade 8 or a 9 (equivalent to an A* in the old grading system) and 95% secured a grade 6 or above. About 220 pupils enter each of the UK Mathematics Challenges, with around twenty pupils qualifying for follow on rounds. In recent years, we have had pupils placed in the top fifty nationally in both the Intermediate and Senior Olympiads. 

Partnership teaching is at the heart of our work as a department, with the equivalent of approximately two teachers’ timetable allocations devoted to working with local Haringey schools. The Mathematics Department has pioneered a number of partnership programmes, including Primary Maths Clubs for years 4 and 5, Mathematics Enrichment days, Further Maths teaching and university preparation courses. The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to these programmes as part of a team of teachers.

The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff.  Salaries are competitive.  The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.