Head of Mathematics

In the top 12% of schools nationally, Crown Hills Community College blends a 70-year history of inclusive education with an innovative, forward-looking approach to providing a state education like no other to 1,500 students from inner city backgrounds.

The School now seeks to appoint an exceptional individual to work alongside the second and third in faculty, who together comprise the Maths Leadership Team. The Maths Head of Faculty is involved in all areas of school life but takes the lead on maths across the college in all year groups. This is, therefore, an exciting opportunity to play an integral role in developing the School’s vision and for enhancing the quality of education for our students. We have 1500 students in total.

To be successful, the appointee will possess a proven track record of providing excellent outcomes for students and developing staff along the way to improve the quality of education. We are looking for an adept leader with strong delivery and an ability to take staff with them on their journey. Candidates will be assessed on their understanding of effective strategic leadership and their ability to work with others, including emotional intelligence.

This role will suit professionals with a high level of personal credibility and demonstrable experience in implementing a strategic vision. Outstanding communication skills and the personal authority to build strong relationships with students, staff and parents are essential, as is a deep commitment to the School’s aims and values.

We have taken a very clear stance on knowledge-first teaching and place an emphasis on memory recall as well as responsive teaching. In order to be successful you need to buy into this pedagogy and practice as it underpins our philosophy and the way the curriculum should be delivered to our students.

I would urge you to read our think- pieces on Curriculum, Responsive Teaching and Assessment before applying on our website. 

However, we have also taken a clear stance on leadership and the way we lead. You need to have the emotional intelligence to deal with sensitive matters with clarity as well as trusting those around you to deliver and, when needed, have tough love conversations to improve delivery. This all needs to be done within the values of THIRST, as we have 200 staff and 1500 students, so your ability to work with different groups of people in a dynamic environment is paramount, and a key part of the role.

Over the past three years the college has changed significantly not only in its performance but in the way it operates. We are not interested in the OFSTED grade or judgement and it is not something that we use to threaten staff with nor do we use it to set policy. We do what is best for the staff and the students underpinned by a set of clear values and we trust that everything else will take care of itself. I would also like to direct you to the information evenings later on in this letter and to look at our website and the video about what it is we stand for and why you would want to join us. 

We have also spent time with staff exploring what it is we stand for and after a school wide consultation have decided that ASPIRATION, COMMITMENT AND SUCCESS are the three key drivers that will support the development of our pupils.

The faculty consists of 10 teachers. It is part of the Discovery Zone which it shares with the Science and Technology faculties. It delivers the AQA GCSE syllabus and follows a two-year Key stage four curriculum.

Whilst our students make good progress there is still work to do to improve attainment. Below is a snapshot of our results when we last completed a full set of external examinations.

Maths 2019 Validated Data

7-9 21%

5-9 46.5%

4-9 60.0%

Progress 8 +0.39

If you have high aspirations for children from deprived backgrounds and want to support the leadership of excellence by improving pupil outcomes, then we would love to hear from you.

Please read the attached job description and person specification. If you are interested in applying, please fill in the application form available on our website. Please include e-mail addresses of all referees, and e-mail it together with a letter of application (no more than 2 sides of A4, font 12) outlining your skills, qualifications and experience relevant to this post to Jo Amey by 9am on Friday 17th September 2021.

In particular, please tell us about how you have contributed or developed your curriculum and the success that it has brought about to student outcomes.

Interview dates TBC

We have also organised 2 information Evenings online for your convenience and to ask any questions:

Information Evening 1 – September 2nd @ 5pm

Information Evening 2 – September 13th @5pm

Should you wish to visit the College please contact Jo Amey by email.