Head of Department (Maths)

Jane Austen College, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1DD

15 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April 2026

• Closing date

  11 February 2026 at 12am (midnight)

• Date listed

  26 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Mathematics
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Salary: Leadership Pay Scale Point 11 (£66,368 per annum)

Head of Department (Maths) job summary

Salary: Leadership Pay Scale Point 11 (£66,368 per annum)

Start Date: April 2026

Jane Austen College is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Department for Mathematics.

We are looking for an exceptional classroom practitioner with a proven track record of excellence outcomes and someone who has had a clear impact at a subject level. The successful candidate will demonstrate the drive and commitment to go above and beyond for our pupils to ensure the succeed. In this role, you will be able to engage with our raising achievement strategy to ensure mathematics outcomes at the college are significantly better than national benchmarks.

This key role will give you the opportunity to collaborate with senior leaders and the subject team on curriculum approaches, embedding effective pedagogical approaches and driving standards in mathematics. Through collaboration with the wider Inspiration Trust mathematics team, you will ensure the delivery of our exceptional knowledge rich curriculum.

Main purpose of the role:

• To have a clear vision for mathematics teaching across the college.
• To be a role model to the department and beyond
• Align classroom practices with the school’s improvement plan and national standards.
• Lead initiatives that promote innovative and evidence-based teaching strategies.
• To lead on the development of new ways of thinking about the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop pupil mastery in the subject.
• Curriculum planning, sequencing, and assessment to maximise pupil progress.
• Maintain professional conduct and actively engage in performance management and professional development activities.
• Conduct lesson observations, learning walks, and work scrutiny to quality assure the subject area.
• Design and deliver CPD within department meetings.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, the Maths Hub and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Promote and uphold the Trust and Academy’s ethos, policies, procedures, and Health & Safety standards.
• Teach the curriculum, prepare pupils for examinations, and provide additional support such as interventions and revision sessions which will include Saturdays and school holidays.
• Plan collaboratively, set homework, adapt teaching for SEND/EAL pupils, and maintain high standards of pupil work.

About You

You will be a leader who shares our belief that all pupils have the right to succeed and have access to the absolute best education. The successful candidate must have a commitment to changing lives and outcomes for young people. You should come with an existing track record of effectiveness but be keen to develop further as a member of the wider leadership team.

Essential:

• An appropriate degree and other qualifications required for the award of QTS.
• Qualified Teacher Status
• Successful subject experience as a teacher and manager in education in a secondary school.
• Successful involvement in performance management, self-evaluation process and data analysis as an aid in personal and team improvement, development and change.
• Proven practice in leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve ambitious standards.
• Knowledge of the statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with pupils, parents, colleagues, and the wider community.
• Knowledge and understanding of the subject to at least undergraduate degree level and different teaching approaches.
• Experience of teaching the subject in a secondary school across the 11-16 age range.

Desirable:

• Other relevant qualifications in the sector (e.g. NPQLT, MEd, etc.).
• Existing curriculum or pastoral leadership experience (e.g. second in department).
• Experience examining the subject for an appropriate exam board.
• Experience mentoring and coaching trainee and early-career teachers.

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You will be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you will receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking (Subject to criteria and waiting list)
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.

* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Jane Austen College opened in 2014 as a flagship free school of the Inspiration Trust, with a focus on English and Humanities. Since then, it has grown from serving just two year groups to become a full 1118 school of over 1,100 pupils.

In May 2024 the college was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all inspection areas, including leadership, behaviour and sixth form provision. Inspectors noted that pupils benefit from “exceptional academic education, excellent pastoral support and a character curriculum building life skills to see them succeed in progressing to some of the top universities in the country and into prosperous careers.”

The college prides itself on ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background or disadvantage, have access to powerful knowledge and transformative extracurricular experiences, as well as strong mental health and wellbeing support.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners.

For information on what it is like to live and work in Norwich, click here.

Next Steps

Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Rowan Wood, PA to Principal (rowanwood@inspirationtrust.org).

To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.

When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Wednesday 11th February 2026

Interview date: Thursday 26th February 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

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

All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Jane Austen College

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1101 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Jane Austen College website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/jane-austen-college

Jane Austen College is a thriving secondary school and sixth form in the heart of Norwich city centre. We combine the modern and traditional, marrying academic rigour and innovative teaching techniques. Our sixth form is one of the top performing in Norfolk and we have been rated by Ofsted as Outstanding in four out of five areas, with an overall rating of Good.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust family of schools in East Anglia, and work closely with Charles Darwin Primary and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form as well as the Trust's other schools around the region.

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