Head of Department - Mathematics

We recognise the importance of balancing work and home life. We consider flexible and family-friendly working opportunities wherever possible, including part-time, term-time and job-share arrangements. At Mulberry Academy Hastings we also design timetables to support staff wellbeing. All teachers receive a weekly PPA sessions scheduled as an afternoon, which can be worked remotely if teachers wish, supporting a healthy work life balance. Supporting your health and wellbeing Balancing everyday life with the requirements of work can create pressures for all of us. Work is a significant part of our lives and we are committed to creating a healthy and supportive working environment. All employees have free access to a 24-hour confidential counselling and wellbeing service, designed to support staff with a range of personal and professional challenges. Recognising that the autumn term is the longest and most demanding, we restructured our calendar to better support staff wellbeing with a two-week break in October. Actively promoting equality and diversity Mulberry Academy Hastings is committed to building an equal, diverse and inclusive community. We want the very best people to work in our school regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, family status or marital status. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from historically under-represented and minority groups, helping ensure our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve. Further details about the role This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate Mathematics specialist with strong subject and curriculum knowledge to lead and develop the department, inspire students, and make a significant impact within a supportive and ambitious school. For a suitably experienced candidate, this role may include leadership team responsibilities or offer the potential for leadership progression. You will lead a highly collaborative Mathematics department committed to delivering engaging, high-quality teaching and ensuring all students develop secure and confident mathematical understanding. Mathematics is a well-established and valued subject at the school, with a team focused on curriculum development and the continuous improvement of teaching practice. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for the leadership of Mathematics, including the strategic planning and delivery of high-quality teaching, oversight of assessment and progress tracking, and accountability for student outcomes across the department. Working closely with colleagues and senior leaders, you will lead the ongoing development and review of the Mathematics curriculum, fostering a culture of curiosity, consistency and high expectations in teaching and learning. We are seeking a Head of Department who can engage learners of all abilities, set a clear strategic direction for Mathematics, and inspire both students and staff through enthusiastic and effective leadership. The role includes contributing to the wider life of the school through the leadership of enrichment and whole-school initiatives. The successful candidate will hold a relevant degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will demonstrate a clear commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. You will be joining a school with a strong culture of collaboration, coaching, and professional development, where staff are supported to develop their practice to the highest level. Commitment to safeguarding

• A good honours degree in Mathematics or a related subject.
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and eligibility to work in the UK.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to continually improve teaching and learning., Significant experience of teaching young people in a school setting, with a proven ability to engage and inspire students of all abilities.
• Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating high-quality teaching across a subject curriculum, securing strong progress and outcomes for learners.
• Experience of subject leadership or contributing meaningfully to curriculum development, improvement initiatives and enrichment opportunities within a department.
• Demonstrable impact on raising standards, improving teaching and learning, and supporting positive student outcomes across a subject area.
• Strong classroom practice and behaviour leadership, with the ability to model and promote a positive, inclusive and purposeful learning environment.
• Secure understanding of how to support learners with differing needs and abilities to access the curriculum and make sustained progress.
• Effective use of assessment and feedback at both classroom and departmental level to inform teaching, intervention and curriculum review.
• Commitment to developing and implementing strategies to raise achievement, improve consistency and promote positive learning behaviours.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues, supporting professional development and contributing to a strong team culture.
Knowledge and Skills
• Strong subject knowledge with the ability to lead and develop high-quality teaching across the department.
• Secure understanding of the National Curriculum and examination specifications.
• Commitment to high expectations, inclusive practice and strong student outcomes.
• The ability to motivate and engage students of all abilities, encouraging curiosity, mathematical thinking, and active participation in Mathematics.
• Ability to inspire learners and model excellent practice for colleagues.
• Effective organisational, communication and leadership skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and contribute positively to the department and wider school community.
• Strong behaviour leadership and the ability to promote positive learning routines.
Personal Qualities
• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, with the ability to inspire students and provide effective leadership for colleagues.
• Genuine passion for the subject and education, with the ambition and capacity to lead, develop and champion the subject at departmental level and beyond.
• A confident and influential communicator, able to work effectively with students, staff, parents and senior leaders.
• A clear commitment to high professional standards, reflective practice and continuous improvement, with the potential to contribute to strategic leadership and whole-school development.
• Resilient, proactive and motivated, with the confidence and aspiration to take on increased leadership responsibility and progress into senior leadership for the right candidate.
  
  We're proud of our people. At Mulberry Academy Hastings, we are building a culture where pupils, parents, teachers and staff work together in the service of our community. When you join our school, you will find a place where you belong and where your work truly makes a difference to the lives of young people.
Working in education is not always easy. We recognise the effort, creativity and commitment our staff bring every day. We value this deeply and show our appreciation by creating a culture where staff are supported to grow, develop and thrive. Providing talent development opportunities We want ambitious and talented people to join Mulberry Academy Hastings because they want to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people. Professional development is central to our culture. All teaching staff benefit from weekly professional development, and each year we dedicate a two-week professional development programme in October. During this time teachers deepen their practice and collaborate on improving teaching and learning, while colleagues in support roles have structured time designed specifically for their own professional development. We also build coaching into teachers' timetables, ensuring every teacher benefit from regular professional dialogue, reflection and support to continually develop their practice. As part of the Mulberry Schools Trust, staff benefit from Trust-wide expertise, strong collaboration, and opportunities to grow professionally. The East London Teaching School Hub further enhances this offer, delivering nationally recognised programmes and enabling staff to engage in and contribute to training across all career stages. Providing a good pension When you join the Mulberry Schools Trust, you will have access to an excellent pension scheme - either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme, depending on your role. Offering flexible working