Head of Mathematics (Curriculum Leader for Mathematics)

Alsager School, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, ST7 2HR

29 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  16 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  18 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Subject: Mathematics
• Working pattern: Full time: FTE - Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Salary MPS/UPS (depending on experience)
• Additional allowances:

  + TLR1C £13,498

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Role

The governors, staff and students of Alsager School are seeking to appoint an outstanding and ambitious Head of Mathematics to lead a large and successful faculty at an exciting point in its development.

This is a key strategic leadership role within the school. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping the quality of teaching, curriculum and outcomes in Mathematics across KS3, KS4 and post-16, while also making a meaningful contribution to whole-school improvement and leadership.

We are looking for a leader who combines strong subject expertise, a track record of impact, and the ability to inspire and develop others within a culture of high expectations, professional trust, and collaboration.

Why Lead Mathematics at Alsager?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead a large 12.9 (FTE) and committed Mathematics team.
• Shape the long-term vision for Mathematics from KS3 to KS5.
• Drive sustained improvement through high-quality teaching, thoughtful use of data and targeted professional development.
• Play a significant role in whole-school strategic leadership.

This is an ideal role for an experienced Mathematics practitioner with a proven track record of securing strong outcomes within their current role.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide clear, ambitious leadership for Mathematics aligned with whole-school priorities.
• Lead the faculty improvement plan and contribute to whole-school self-evaluation and development planning.
• Develop and communicate a compelling short, medium and long-term vision for the faculty.

Teaching, Learning and Outcomes

• Be accountable for student progress and achievement across all key stages.
• Lead by example as an excellent classroom practitioner.
• Evaluate teaching and learning and drive improvement using evidence-informed approaches.
• Ensure effective assessment, tracking and intervention strategies are in place.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

• Ensure curriculum coherence, progression and challenge across the full ability range.
• Lead the development and review of programmes of study across KS3, KS4 and post-16.
• Promote consistency and high expectations in classroom practice.

Leading and Developing Staff

• Lead, support, challenge and line manage members of the Mathematics faculty.
• Address underperformance where necessary with clarity and professionalism.
• Develop a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support professional development within the faculty and contribute to wider school CPD.

Wider Responsibilities

• Work effectively with pastoral leaders, SEND and support staff to secure strong outcomes for all students.
• Develop positive partnerships with parents and carers.
• Ensure the effective deployment of resources and a safe learning environment.
• To undertake any reasonable duty at the request and discretion of the Headteacher.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a candidate who:

• Is an effective and reflective Mathematics teacher.
• Has experience of, or clear readiness for, middle leadership.
• Has a proven track record of improving teaching and outcomes.
• Is ambitious for students, staff and themselves.
• Shares our commitment to inclusive education and high aspirations.

Safeguarding

Alsager School and The Cornovii Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and pre-employment screening.

Person Specification:

Head of Mathematics

CRITERIA

Qualifications & Experience

ESSENTIAL

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• A good honours degree in Mathematics or a related subject
• Successful experience of teaching Mathematics across KS3 and KS4
• Evidence of improving student outcomes within own teaching or across a team
• Experience of contributing to, or leading, improvement in teaching and learning
• Experience of working collaboratively within a team to secure improvement

DESIRABLE

• Experience of teaching Mathematics at KS5
• Experience in a leadership role (e.g. second in department, key stage lead)
• Experience of leading curriculum development or assessment within Mathematics

Knowledge & Skills

ESSENTIAL

• Strong subject knowledge across the secondary Mathematics curriculum
• Understanding of what constitutes high-quality teaching and learning in Mathematics
• Ability to use assessment and data effectively to inform teaching, intervention and curriculum planning
• Ability to lead, support and challenge colleagues to improve practice
• Strong organisational and strategic planning skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, students and parents

DESIRABLE

• Experience of using evidence-informed approaches to improve teaching and learning
• Experience of coaching or mentoring colleagues
• Experience of leading change or implementing new initiatives successfully

Personal Qualities

ESSENTIAL

• High expectations and ambition for all students
• Commitment to inclusive education and ensuring success for all learners
• Reflective, resilient and solutions-focused
• Ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively
• Integrity, professionalism and a strong sense of accountability
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

DESIRABLE

• Aspiration to progress to senior leadership in the future
• Willingness to contribute to wider school and trust development

Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment for visitors and telephone callers.

The school will endeavor to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition (as defined in the Equality Act 2010).

This job description will be reviewed where necessary and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks; it sets out the expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.

What the school offers its staff

About Alsager School

Alsager School is a high-achieving, inclusive 11–18 mixed comprehensive, with 1,500 students on roll, including 220 students in the Sixth Form. As the only secondary school in the town, we serve a broad catchment area across Alsager and neighbouring parts of Cheshire and Staffordshire.

We are proud of our school community. Our students are friendly, respectful and ambitious, with positive attitudes to learning and strong relationships with staff. Visitors regularly comment on the calm, purposeful atmosphere around the school and the pride students take in their work.

The school benefits from:

• A committed and experienced staff body.
• Strong relationships with students, families and the local community.
• A supportive trust that values collaboration, leadership development and evidence-informed practice.
• Ongoing support from experienced colleagues within school and the wider trust, including access to high-quality training and leadership development.
• A community cover scheme that supports staff wellbeing.

Mathematics at Alsager School

Mathematics is a strong and well-established faculty with positive outcomes and a clear ambition to continue improving further.

2025 outcomes include:

• 80% of students achieving GCSE Grade 4+
• 61% of students achieving GCSE Grade 5+
• A Level Mathematics: Value Added +0.71
• A Level Further Mathematics: Value Added +0.45

Mathematics at post-16 remains a popular choice, with students progressing to a wide range of STEM-related pathways. The successful candidate will build on these strong foundations and help lead the next phase of curriculum and pedagogical development across the department.

Rewards and Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We recognise that every school and every individual is of equal importance, we respect and have tolerance of all, and we ensure that everyone feels known, appreciated and valued.

We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, investing in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring and a wide range of top-quality training programmes at every level.

You will have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are highly experienced, knowledgeable, and committed education practitioners to support your development and career with the trust.

You will have the autonomy to evolve your school’s vision, values, performance and culture, but you will never be alone, you will have continuous support from the wider trust.

You will also have full access to our rewards package:

Learning and development

We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities including structured qualifications, and you will be able to access support, coaching and mentoring by senior members of staff from across the trust.

Competitive pension scheme

Teaching and School leadership staff are part of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).You receive a guaranteed pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme, via career average arrangement; benefits are accrued each year based on 1/57th of your pensionable salary including overtime.

Employee Assistance Programme

We have partnered with Legal and General to offer free and confidential advice to our staff. This is available 24 hours, 7 days per week for you and your immediate family. Some of the services include support with family, financial information, legal advice, stress and anxiety, and bereavement. You will also have access to ‘in the moment’ counselling sessions.

Flexible working

We offer various flexible working arrangements, and all staff are encouraged to submit applications for flexible working to suit their individual circumstances.

Discounts on shopping, leisure, and travel

Through our Legal and General EAP our staff have access to a wide range of offers and discounts on high street and supermarket shopping, leisure facilities such as cinema and gym, and travel options such as holidays and hotel stays.

Gym- Access to Alsager Everybody Health and Leisure.

Flu vaccinations - All staff have the option to access their annual flu vaccination via a local pharmacy.

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.

Application Process

Applications should be sent to hr@thecornoviitrust.org by Thursday 16th April 2026 (12:00pm).

Statements in support of your application may be written as part of the application form or submitted separately and must not exceed two sides of A4.

Please structure your statement using the three headings below. Applications that do not address all three areas may not be shortlisted.

• How your experience and skills align with the key elements of the role and job description.
• What you would bring to the Mathematics faculty at Alsager School, including clear examples of impact.
• Your priorities for leading Mathematics in your first year in post.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the school website to gain a sense of life at Alsager School: www.alsagerschool.org

The Interview

Interviews are to be held on Friday 24th April 2026.The interview process will involve a tour of the school.

Important - The Rehabilitation of Offender Act

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation Act 1974. The successful applicant will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS certificate. As the post will involve regulated activity with children, it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are included on the children’s barred list held by the DBS.

Amendments to the Exceptions order 1975 (2013, 202 & 2023) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are protected. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of justice website or visit https://unlock.org.uk/advice/what-will-be-filteredby-dbs/.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclose information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your

appointment is confirmed. Any data processed as part of the DBS check will be processed in accordance with data protection regulations and the trusts privacy statement

Commitment to safeguarding

Alsager School is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all students and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

CL Maths Advert March 26.docx - 358 KB (opens in new tab)

CL Maths ALS Job outline.docx - 372 KB (opens in new tab)

About Alsager School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1519 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Alsager School website
• Email address: n.clarkson@thecornoviitrust.org
• Phone number: 01270 871100
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/alsager-school-stoke-on-trent

Arranging a visit to Alsager School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email n.clarkson@thecornoviitrust.org.

School location

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