Head of Maths

Head of Maths

 Permanent, full-time from 1st September 2026

Information for Candidates

             INTRODUCTION

Celebrated throughout the world as a centre of musical excellence, The
Purcell School is the most vibrant, exciting and exhilarating place to work
or study.  We are a close-knit community dedicated to nurturing some of
the worldʼs most talented young musicians and we recognise the unique
privilege it is to work with these incredibly gifted students.

Our students are the liveliest, most committed and self-motivated young
people you could hope to meet.  Every day, the Schoolʼs corridors echo
with the sound of extraordinary music as our students prepare for one of
the 150 concerts we present every year, both here at School and in the
most prestigious venues in London.

It is a working environment quite unlike anywhere else!  We want our
students to be challenged and inspired by every aspect of their experience
here, and we support and encourage staff to achieve this.  Academic
classes are small, behaviour is excellent and the opportunities for
innovative and creative teaching practice are limitless.

If you are committed to providing an outstanding student experience and
prepared to play a full part in the life of this extraordinary place, The
Purcell School offers you the opportunity to join an exceptional team,
serving truly exceptional students in a totally unique environment. I very
much hope you will consider making an application to join us.

Kind regards

Paul Bambrough

Principal

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Head of Maths

We are seeking an inspirational Head of Maths capable of delivering the highest standards of
teaching and learning through exceptional classroom practice. The successful candidate will
join  a  highly  motivated  team  of  academic  teachers  and  will  have  the  benefit  of their own
teaching room and use of the latest technology in Maths education.

Successful  teachers  at  The  Purcell  School  are  committed,  industrious  and  open  to
development,  not  only  within  the  confines  of  the  classroom  but  within  the  wider musical
and boarding life of the School as well. We seek to appoint teachers who are confident and
warm,  who  possess  charisma  and  who  recognise  that  organisation,  open-mindedness,
structure, clarity, diligence and a sense of vision are vital ingredients in a successful life as a
teacher.

In  the  Maths  department  we  develop  strong,  positive  relationships  with  students  and
parents  and  provide  a  safe  and  supportive  atmosphere  in  which  all  students  can  make
progress  through  their  individual  learning  journey.  We  aim  to  think  beyond  examination
results  by  making  use  of  mentoring  schemes,  co-curricular  projects,  competitions  and
enrichment  days.  Our  small  class  sizes  and  sets  enable us to create bespoke pathways for
our  students  with  high  levels of differentiation that lead to outstanding student outcomes.
Maths  is  a  popular  subject  at A Level and current experience of teaching Edexcel A Level is
essential as well as experience of teaching students with EAL and SEN provision.

The Maths department has a high profile in the school and our staff work closely together to
create  new  learning  opportunities  and  resources  that  can  be  showcased  to the rest of the
school.  As  a  small team, we can offer a supportive atmosphere that allows each teacher to
explore  and  innovate  in  a particular area of expertise and there is a strong commitment to
continued CPD as an essential way to develop and acquire further skills as a teacher.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This  is  a  full-time  post  to  start  in  September  2026.  Competitive  salary  according  to  the
candidateʼs experience.

Children  of  staff  are  not  eligible  to  be  educated  at  the  School  except  through  the  normal
admissions and audition process.

All  members  of  staff are expected to contribute fully to the Schoolʼs extra-curricular and/or
boarding provision.

Lunch  and  supper  (when  there  is  an  evening  event)  can  be  taken  free of charge at school
during term-time.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates wishing to apply should submit a letter  to the Principal as soon as possible outlining your motivations for applying
and why you believe that you meet the requirements of the role as expressed in this job pack. Please do not send a separate
curriculum  vitae  as  these  will  not  be  accepted.   The  closing  date for applications is Sunday 8th March 2026 with interviews
scheduled for the week of 16th March 2026.

Interviews will explore your vision for the future of Maths in the School, your subject knowledge, pastoral experience and your
ability to relate appropriately to students.

Applications should be made to the Principal, sent by email to recruitment@purcell-school.org or by letter to:
Recruitment, The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS.

JOB SPECIFICATION

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all
staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

JOB TITLE: HEAD OF MATHS
All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal.
Your line manager is the Director of Teaching and Learning.

This job specification sets out the duties of the post at the time of drafting. Specific responsibilities are as follows:

FOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

●  To create engaging, rigorous and enriching schemes of work, ensuring they are robust and effective and meet the

needs of all students

●  To ensure that all lessons within the department are well-planned; lessons should be tailored to meet the learning

requirements of the class with sufficient opportunities for group and individual challenges.

●  To teach all year groups a range of Maths enrichment activities.
●  To lead the Maths team; giving a clear vision and direction to the work, identifying key areas for improvements and

planning appropriate actions to meet them.

●  To ensure that staff have access to all relevant materials to carry out these tasks.
●  To organise a framework for administrative tasks. This includes both day to day administrative and Maths specific

tasks.

●  To manage both the people and resources associated with the department.
●  To ensure that risk assessments are carried out in line with the school Health and Safety policy.
●  To remain fully informed about national and local developments in their subject area as well as keeping abreast of

wider educational issues.

●  To develop the departmental Teaching and Learning action plan.
●  To ensure that examination administration is carried out and that all students are prepared for Edexcel external

examinations at GCSE and A Level with a range of suitable internal mock exams/assessments administered to help
raise student outcomes.

●  To manage the departmental budget.

FOR  ALL TEACHING STAFF

●  To carry out teaching commitments as agreed with the Principal and Vice-Principal
●  To participate in the Schoolʼs appraisal scheme
●  To support and implement the Schoolʼs behaviour policy
●  To monitor studentsʼ attendance in lessons and to liaise with the Vice-Principal or the Instrumental Timetabler when

difficulties arise

●  To assist in providing cover for absent colleagues
●  To supervise students during internal and external examinations
●  To supervise students during breaks on a duty rota
●  To attend assemblies
●  To attend the weekly staff meeting and other relevant meetings by arrangement
●  To attend Parentsʼ Evenings
●  To participate in School Inset meetings
●  To contribute to the Schoolʼs extra-curricular and/or boarding provision
●  To assist occasionally at whole school events

FOR  ALL STAFF

●  To promote the aims and values of the School
●  To support and protect the interests of the students
●  To support colleagues in their work and ensure the smooth running of the School and the well-being of the School

community

●  To act in accordance with the current legal requirements, school policies and guidance on the safeguarding of children

and young people

●  To undertake such administrative and supervisory duties as may be required
●  To follow the procedures and policies set out in the Staff Handbook
●  To promote equality by actively protecting staff and students from discrimination

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge:

A good degree in Maths (essential) and a higher degree in Maths (desirable)

Experience teaching students in one-to-one, small group and class settings (essential)

Qualified teacher status (desirable)

Understanding of SEND and adolescent mental health

Knowledge of sixth form pathways in the UK and abroad for A Level and alternative GCSE pathways for low ability
students

Ability and Skills:

The ability to use an imaginative range of teaching strategies to promote high expectations and a high level of challenge

The ability to use assessment for learning to improve teaching and learning

Good communication, planning and organisation and the ability to lead a team

The ability to develop teaching and learning resources and to contribute to schemes of work

Reliable judge of standards, achievement and potential

Excellent administrator

Personal Attributes:

The ability to inspire students of all levels and abilities

Enthusiasm, energy, creativity and imagination

Willingness to play a full part in the life of the School and raise the profile of Maths within the School

Able to work effectively as part of a team