Prep and Senior School Mathematics Teacher

Basic Information

• Department: Academic
• Responsible to: Head of Maths (Prep School), Head of Maths (Senior School)
• Main Purpose: To teach mathematics in an inspiring, challenging, rigorous manner to pupils in the Upper Prep School (years 6 – 8 in the UK national Curriculum) and Senior School (years 9 – 13).

In the Prep School the Maths department aims to provide an exciting and engaging mathematics curriculum that is truly preparatory for pupils’ futures. We develop highly effective approaches to teaching maths based on research and evidence, building pupils’ mathematical fluency. We aim to teach pupils to think mathematically through reasoning and problem-solving. Emphasis is placed on pupils’ independence in learning so that they are able to draw on a complete set of skills and knowledge and to articulate their learning by the time they enter the Senior School.

In the Senior School, the Maths department prepares pupils for the Edexcel Higher Tier examination, taken by more than half of pupils at the end of Year 10 and the remainder of pupils at the end of Year 11. In Year 11, those who have completed the IGCSE course study the Edexcel Further Mathematics specification. This helps extend pupils’ abilities and success in this course is a requirement for those aiming to take Higher Level mathematics (especially the new Analysis & Approaches course) as part of their IB Diploma programme. It is also of considerable benefit to those pupils intending to pursue Standard Level maths courses at IB.

A great many Wellington pupils are enthusiastic, dedicated young mathematicians. Parents have high expectations or outcomes in this subject and pupils actively seek out high levels of mathematical challenge from their teachers. Each year pupils take part in mathematics competitions both within school and across China, to test their skills in situations beyond the normal specifications. It is expected that the successful applicant for this post will wish to play an active role in developing the enjoyment of mathematics by pupils in both schools, well beyond the classroom.

Current levels of the outcome at IG and IB: 88% A*, 94% A*-A, 100% A*-B at IGCSE. 40% 6+, 80% 5+ at IB. Pupils from the first two IB cohorts have received offers from top universities around the world to read mathematics.

The teacher will also be expected to contribute to the pastoral life of the school as either a Prep School or Senior School house tutor.

Responsibilities:

• DIRECTED TIME: To ensure attendance in College between stipulated hours and to attend all meetings/functions deemed to be directed time.
• PUNCTUALITY: To set high standards with regard to punctuality and to insist on the same from the pupils. To encourage good time-keeping amongst the pupils, monitor lateness within the class and provide remedies, both individual and general, to rectify its occurrence.
• STANDARDS: To maintain, with the rest of the teaching staff, high standards of conduct both in and out of the classroom. To act always in a way that conforms to the College’s ethos and values, and is in the best interests of the pupils.
• SAFETY: To emphasise the importance of safety and of safe methods of working in the classroom, and indeed in all areas of the College and the curriculum. To communicate to the pupils that they must take a responsible attitude to equipment and materials with which they have been provided, and that they will be punished and possibly charged for damage inflicted upon College property.
• DRESS: To maintain smart and professional standards of appearance.
• MONITORING: To monitor and evaluate constantly the effectiveness of your own teaching, maintaining good standards of practice and ensuring progression. To participate fully in the staff appraisal system, with classroom observation of colleagues and a willingness to be personally observed within the classroom. To submit books, records or planning as required for monitoring by colleagues or the Heads of Maths. •
• ASSESSMENT: To assess regularly the pupils’ work by means of formal and informal termly/half-termly assessment, as directed by the Heads of Maths, or the Head of the school. To communicate with the Heads of Maths regarding any pupil whose progress or behaviour gives cause for concern.
• COMMUNICATION: To communicate with housemaster on a regular basis and, if appropriate, parents, as directed by the Heads of Maths and the Head. To attend parents’ meetings as required and to provide accurate, honest information regarding the progress of individuals in Maths at these meetings. To report to the parents in the form of regular written reports, and when may be additionally required by the Head.
• COLLEGE RULES: To apply consistently and diligently the rules of the College in order to maintain discipline, standards of dress and to safeguard the happiness, safety and well-being of all pupils. To ensure that pupils know, understand and follow the College rules.
• RECORD KEEPING: To maintain all the relevant College records, and ensure they are provided/delivered at the stipulated time. To keep all records relating to the pupils’ academic progress, and to ensure that these records are shared with colleagues and are available for inspection by the Heads of Maths and the Head.
• CURRICULUM POLICY: To be involved in developing, implementing and monitoring all College policies regarding courses taught, and to assist in the necessary documentation pertaining to the subject, where required by the Heads of Maths.
• DISPLAY: To ensure that the examples of the pupils’ work are displayed and presented to a high standard in the classroom, and, where appropriate, throughout the schools. To ensure that these displays are changed regularly.
• CLASSROOM APPEARANCE: To ensure that the classroom and adjacent corridors etc. are kept suitably tidy for prospective parents, to welcome the latter into the classroom and be prepared to give a short explanation of lesson content and displays etc.
• Prep: To oversee and implement the Prep and Senior School policies for all classes taught in relation to prep.
• DUTIES: To carry out duties as required and timetabled by the Head. This will include break supervision, lunchtime supervision and after-school supervision.
• COVER: To provide cover for absent colleagues as and when deemed necessary by the Head.
• STAFF DEVELOPMENT: To attend and participate fully in Wellington College Staff Development and CPD programmes. To attend staff meetings and briefings as and when required by the Heads of Maths.
• MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES: To assist with the resourcing of Maths and to work with the Heads of Maths in drawing up the annual order.
• COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT: To support the College Development Plan generally and in so far as it relates to Maths and/or other courses taught.
• CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: To play a full role in the weekly co-curricular activities programme. The programme will take place outside of the prescribed teaching hours, as directed by the Principal and the Heads of Senior and Prep Schools.
• ASSEMBLIES: To make a significant contribution to College assemblies, and newsletters, and by so doing highlight the work carried out by pupils in the subject.
• COLLEGE EVENTS: To contribute as fully as possible to the annual calendar of College events, in whatever way possible.