Teacher of Mathematics

TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS Dollar Academy is seeking to recruit a permanent, full time, enthusiastic and suitably qualified teacher of Mathematics beginning in August 2017.  

This post offers the opportunity to join a large and successful department at this prestigious 5 – 18 HMC school of 1200 pupils.  Dollar Academy is set in a beautiful central location, about 40 minutes north of Edinburgh. 

We are looking for a capable and enthusiastic teacher with the ability to inspire and motivate pupils in Mathematics.  The person appointed will be expected to be able to teach the full range of courses offered from Form I to Form VI.  He or she will have the ability to teach at the highest levels and, as such, an Honours degree in Mathematics or a closely related subject is required.  We are looking for an individual who demonstrates a genuine love of the subject, enthusiasm for teaching it and an imaginative, creative and energetic approach to helping pupils to share this enjoyment.  Computers, interactive technology and web based resources are now an intrinsic part of Mathematics teaching and fluency with these, together with a thoughtful approach to their use, is essential. 

We aim to help all of our pupils to achieve their full potential in Mathematics, to develop real confidence in their abilities and to appreciate the beauty and utility of the subject.   Throughout years I to V, pupils are placed in sets according to ability and those in lower sets benefit from small class sizes, whilst the upper sets are able to spend more time on sophisticated problems. We hosted the Independent Schools’ ‘Enterprising Mathematics’ competitions for seven years and our teams have had notable successes in this event.   Furthermore, many individuals have gone on to achieve much in the various national mathematical challenges. The progress of all pupils is monitored closely through a programme of internal examinations and tests and, importantly, formal and informal discussion within the department. 

We currently prepare pupils for SQA National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher examination.  At all stages, we attach a great deal of importance to number work and the development of independent thinking.   Pupils are encouraged to see Mathematics not as a collection of disconnected rules but, rather, as an exciting, coherent and intensely logical language with wide applications and inherent value.  Knowledge of the Scottish education system would be helpful, but is not essential. 

In a typical year, the great majority of pupils achieve A or B at National 5, with roughly 70% gaining a grade A.   Approximately 110 pupils sit Higher each year, with about 90% achieving grades A to C and, in recent years, 50% a grade A.   Currently, we present pupils for Advanced Higher Mathematics, Mathematics of Mechanics and Statistics with approximately 45 pupils each year taking these options.   A number of candidates sit more than one paper and many pupils go on to read Mathematics, Science, Engineering or Economics at a broad range of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. 

The Academy has a rich co-curricular programme in which all members of staff are expected to participate. The ability to coach a team in one of the school’s major sports or offer an activity would be particularly useful.  

The salary for the post will be in accordance with the SNCT main grade scales with the Dollar enhancement of 10% in addition. It should be noted that the Chartered Teachers pay scale does not apply to teachers employed by the Academy.   

Candidates should either be registered with the GTC Scotland, or eligible for registration.   

Applicants must complete the Academy’s Teaching Staff Application Form which can be downloaded from the Academy’s website: http://www.dollaracademy.org.uk/vacancies      and provide a covering letter. A CV is optional.   

These should be emailed to rector@dollaracademy.org.uk   

The closing date is noon on Thursday 27 April 2017.   

All appointments are subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update from Disclosure Scotland.   

Contact: 01259 742511 or rector@dollaracademy.org.uk