Start Date: August 2025
OBJECTIVES:
The Head of Mathematics will play a key role in the development of the mathematics academic programme at SPGS International School Chengdu and in leading the Department and its staff.
The postholder will be responsible for Mathematics at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5, oversee all aspects of curriculum development and take responsibility for academic attainment and student progress.
Developing the department’s reputation for academic excellence and achievement will depend on the inspiration, dynamism, guidance, organisational skills and example of the HoD.
In addition to the expected generic duties outlined below, the Head of Mathematics will be expected to foster an enjoyment of mathematics among pupils of all abilities and ages, ensuring that the curriculum is based on rigour and scholarly challenge and that there is a commensurate co-curricular programme to support and extend pupils across all levels. Throughout the year, students will take part in mathematics competitions both within school and externally, to test their problem-solving skills in situations outside the normal syllabus and to prepare them for university admissions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Head of Mathematics is responsible for:
· The overall delivery of the mathematics curriculum at all levels within the Senior School. They will organize systems of appraisal and monitoring according to school policy, and also the administration of assessments and mock exams, with cross-marking where appropriate
· Providing professional leadership and management, generating enthusiasm and encouraging best practice in mathematics teaching and autonomous learning. They have a responsibility to monitor standards, to ensure high quality teaching, high standards of learning and achievement for all pupils, and the effective and safe use of resources.
· The promotion of the subject, be that during open days, school and other competitions and events within the wider school community
· Ensuring that SPGSI is known for the high quality of its mathematics examination results, its creative and innovative teaching methods and the outstanding support it provides for those wishing to study mathematics at university.
Heads of Department are expected to:
1. Provide strategic leadership, creating a positive climate of learning with open and confident staff who are keen to explore the latest developments in pedagogy.
2. Foster a collaborative team in which responsibility is delegated and shared.
3. Plan and manage student learning to ensure curriculum coverage, continuity and progression for all pupils, including ALN/MAT e.g, by reviewing schemes of work, lesson plans and homework and monitoring their use by departmental staff.
4. Evaluate and assess student progress and achievement in their department, establishing effective methods of assessing students’ progress and achievement, analysing the results and implementing appropriate changes to teaching and learning.
5. Assess and evaluate external and internal school data to inform planning.
6. Use data from previous years or other schools to maximise student progress.
7. Monitor and evaluate the work of staff within their department.
8. Encourage staff to be reflective of and creative in their teaching methods.
9. Plan and set expectations and targets for students and staff in relation to standards of student achievement and the quality of teaching
10. Be actively involved in the development and review of departmental and school policies and procedures
11. Develop and maintain good relationships with parents and the wider community, including communicating effectively with parents about areas such as pupil placement within classes, outcomes of assessment and curriculum pathways.
12. Contribute to the recruitment and assessment of prospective students through open days, visits, marking admissions tests (including 6th Form), and other examinations, interviews etc.
13. Oversee and manage all relevant administrative and other aspects of both internal and external examinations in their subject, in close liaison with the examinations officer.
Heads of Department will:
1. Have knowledge and understanding of the School’s aims and ethos, development plan, overall curriculum, and its policies and procedures
2. Share responsibility with other leaders for the implementation of these policies and procedures, especially curriculum, safeguarding, health and safety, pupil behaviour and staff duties.
3. Manage resources, prioritise expenditure and advise on the deployment of staff and the use of facilities and IT.
4. Manage their own performance and professional development in consultation with senior leaders
5. Manage the performance and professional development of staff within their department by establishing clear expectations, encouraging good working relationships, providing clear feedback and advice and by induction, monitoring and appraisal.
6. Play an active role in staff recruitment and retention in their subject area.
7. Have an appropriate working knowledge of areas of the law and school policies relevant to their role as teachers and managers: employment, equal opportunities, personnel, safeguarding, behaviour and discipline, health and safety etc.
8. Work collaboratively with other Heads of Department to ensure that the learning experience of students across the subject areas is co-ordinated (and to contribute as appropriate to the PSHE provision through work in their own subject area),
9. Liaise with other colleagues outside the department involved with student learning e.g. learning development, EAL and mentors.
Learning and teaching
Heads of Department should:
1. Produce a departmental development plan as part of the school’s development planning cycle
2. Produce relevant material for the departmental handbook and update it annually
3. Devise, implement and regularly update specifications for the teaching of their subject and select suitable specifications for public examinations
4. Develop schemes of work for their subject area throughout the senior school
5. Monitor quality of teaching by lesson observation and by monitoring students’ work and its assessment
6. Organise supplementary (off and on-site) educational activities where relevant or appropriate e.g. extension programmes, pre-university seminars, competitions, trips etc.
7. Ensure that rewards and sanctions are effectively and appropriately used by staff and that staff are supported in maintaining the highest expectations of behaviour.
8. Ensure that staff are aware of students with learning (including EAL), medical, social or other difficulties and that appropriate support and strategies are in place.
9. Ensure that sufficient stretch and challenge is provided for the most able and talented students within the department and that additional support and mentoring is available to those students striving for the most competitive universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge.
Student achievement: marking, assessment, recording, reporting:
Heads of Department should:
1. Implement the whole school assessment and marking policy in their subject area
2. Prepare or oversee the preparation of internal exam papers and other internal assessment tests and their marking schemes
3. Monitor student achievement within their subject area both internally and externally via standardised tests and external exam results
4. Monitor the setting and assessment of homework within the department, ensuring that it is in line with the school policy and appropriate for the age and ability of the students
5. Oversee the work of colleagues in reporting to parents and at parents’ meetings
Staff Professional Development:
Heads of Department should
1. Maintain a record of staff training and INSET
2. Provide leadership and professional support for the other teachers in the department
3. Hold fortnightly minuted meetings
4. Provide feedback and advice on lesson observations and monitoring of student work
5. Follow the induction procedures in the Staff Handbook with a colleague joining the department
6. Supervise colleagues and their professional development
7. Conduct the appraisal of staff within their department in accordance with school policy
Resources
Heads of Department should
1. Organise the supply of necessary resources, keeping up to date with the availability of new resources and of IT developments
2. Keep an accurate inventory of fixed assets in the department
3. Manage departmental budgets: producing budget requests annually for approval and incorporation into the whole-school budget
4. Liaise with the IT department for advice on IT provision
5. Ensure that displays in and around the department are stimulating, informative and of high quality.
6. Co-operate with the College and Careers Guidance department to provide information and advice to students
7. Respond constructively to requests from other functions within the school for advice and assistance, including Marketing and Admissions
School level responsibilities:
Heads of Department should
1. Undertake the role of mentor
2. Provide the Deputy Head Academic with information on staffing needs to inform timetable building and recruitment
3. Participate in regular Heads of Department meetings
4. Serve from time to time on working parties and committees
5. Provide an annual report to the Principal and the Governing Board on behalf of the department
6. Follow all agreed school policies and procedures, including those in the Staff Code of Conduct
7. Comply with the school’s legal responsibilities
8. Hold the school’s uniform and behaviour regulations
9. Perform any such other professional duties as may reasonably be required by the Principal
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics or relevant subject area.
· PGCE / QTS.
LANGUAGES
· Fluent in English.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
· Minimum five years’ teaching experience in education at a UK or international school at IGCSE and A-level including, ideally, Further Maths.
· Previous middle leader experience desirable.
· Proven record of success as a classroom teacher
· Preparation of students for STEP or other university mathematics admissions tests (desirable)
COMPETENCIES
· Familiarity with the National Curriculum of England (plus IGCSE/GCSE and/or A Levels as appropriate).
· Ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
· Excellent leadership skills
· Excellent communication, teamwork and collaborative skills, with an even-handed, sensitive approach, an understanding and empathy with the feelings and motives of others, able to see things from the perspective of others and work effectively with students, parents and colleagues.
· Strong communication, teamwork and collaborative skills for working with students, colleagues and parents,
· Proficiency in using technology and educational software to enhance instruction and facilitate learning.
· Strong organisation, planning and administrative skills, with a proven record of meeting targets and deadlines.
APTITUDES
· A wide and enduring interest in their subject area, evidenced by their commitment to it beyond the classroom, with the ability to inspire and stretch able students.
· Strong communication, teamwork and collaborative skills for working with students, parents and staff.
· Enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed to helping all for whom they have responsibility, students and staff, to achieve the best possible standards
· A willingness to explore innovative approaches from across the educational field.
· Flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to collaborate with and support colleagues, contributing to the overall development of the school community.
· A dedicated team-player who strives for excellence and leads by exam ple
· Sound judgement, with the ability to make reasoned, reasonable and balanced decisions.
· Have an active interest in current developments in their subject, and its teaching, and in wider educational issues.
· Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous professional development
· Demonstrating practice that represent the five core SPGS values at all times (Achievement, Community, Liberalism, Creativity and Possibility).
SPGS International School Chengdu is committed to ensuring and promoting the health and safety of children. Successful applicants will:
1. Participate in the school’s regular training on child protection, and sign the code of conduct
2. Immediately report to the designated or acting safeguarding lead for any potential risks for the children
3. Strictly abide by the school’s policies on information confidentiality and protection
4. Play the role of safeguarding members to promote and ensure the health and safety development of all students in the school
5. Report any students concerns to the designated or acting safeguarding lead
6. Report any unsafe behavior on campus to the designated or acting safety lead in accordance with the school’s
“whistle blowing” policy
7. Maintain a professional relationship with students and respect and maintain personal boundaries
SPGS International School Chengdu is committed to safe recruitment and child protection, relevant qualifications and police clearance of applicants will be verified
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities for the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified, especially in the context of a school which requires flexibility in all of its employees. This job description is current at the date shown but, in consultation with the post holder, may be changed by the Principal to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.
