The posting
ROLE SPECIFICATION – TEACHER OF MATHS
Job Title: Teacher of Mathematics
Grade: Main Pay Range / Upper Pay Range
Contract: Full Time - Fixed Term to 21st July 2027
Reporting to: Head of Mathematics
Start Date: 4th January 2027
We are looking for a qualified teacher with a passion for Mathematics who has the skills to help pupils excel.
This is an outstanding and rare opportunity to join a thriving, successful and oversubscribed, 11-16, mixed, comprehensive school with an excellent reputation, set in an enviable location at the foot of the beautiful South Downs just north of Brighton
The post is suitable for a newly qualified teacher or a more experienced teacher wishing to further their career.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To carry out the professional responsibilities of a teacher in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and the school’s policies, under the direction of the Headteacher.
ACCOUNTABLE FOR:
• The learning, progress and outcomes of pupils in allocated teaching groups, ensuring pupils make progress in line with, or exceeding, expected progress across Key Stages 3 and 4.
• Delivering departmental schemes of work, ensuring the needs of all learners are met appropriately.
• The pastoral, academic and social development of the allocated tutor group.
ACCOUNTABILITIES AND TASKS
Planning, Teaching and Classroom Practice
• Teach allocated pupils through well-planned lessons that secure sustained progress and excellent learning outcomes.
• Promote and embed a ROCKS approach within subject pedagogy.
• Design engaging and inclusive lessons that inspire pupils through a range of effective teaching strategies.
• Plan lessons that secure progress for all learners through effective use of assessment for learning.
• Identify, monitor and support key pupil groups, including disadvantaged and vulnerable learners, to enable them to achieve strong outcomes.
• Set meaningful homework that consolidates and extends learning.
• Set high expectations and apply the school’s behaviour policy consistently and effectively.
• Demonstrate reflective practice and a commitment to continually improving teaching and learning.
• Ensure the effective and purposeful use of support staff within the classroom.
• Ensure the effective and efficient deployment of classroom support.
• To maintain a tidy classroom and update displays.
• To provide Extra Curricular Activities and GCSE support sessions as appropriate
Monitoring, Assessment, Recording and Reporting
• Monitor pupils’ work and use the REAct system to provide timely, high-quality feedback that supports progress.
• Assess and record progress systematically to inform planning and intervention, and to identify strengths and areas for development.
• Undertake assessment in line with examination board, departmental and whole-school procedures.
• Prepare and present clear, informative reports for parents in line with school policy, meeting all deadlines.
Curriculum Development
• Have lead responsibility for an aspect of the departments work and develop plans which identify clear targets and success criteria for its development and / or maintenance
• Contribute to the whole school’s planning activities
• Attend all directed departmental meetings.
• Develop appropriate teaching support materials as required by the department
Pastoral Responsibilities
• Act as a form tutor to an assigned group of pupils.
• Support the personal development, wellbeing and progress of individual pupils and the tutor group.
• Work closely with the Head of Year to implement the school’s pastoral systems effectively.
• Complete registration, accompany pupils to assemblies, and encourage full attendance and participation in school life.
• Contribute to action planning, progress tracking and reporting.
• Alert relevant staff to concerns regarding pupils and contribute to appropriate support strategies.
• Communicate effectively with parents and external agencies as appropriate, in consultation with senior staff.
• Attend relevant pastoral and team meetings.
Other Professional Responsibilities
• Work consistently within the policies, procedures and ethos of the school.
• Build positive professional relationships and set a strong example through conduct, appearance and professionalism.
• Commit to inclusive practice, ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their potential.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues to maximise the use of resources.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school, including meetings, enrichment activities and events.
• Participate in open evenings, parents’ evenings and liaison activities with partner schools as appropriate.
• Take responsibility for continuous professional development.
• Liaise with parents and governors as required.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and report accidents appropriately.
• Have a working knowledge of teachers' professional duties and legal liabilities;
• Operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school;
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended following discussion with the Headteacher. The post is subject to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and school policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
• A good degree in Maths
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A record of successful teaching in another school or a successful placement in a school as part of teacher training
• A clear philosophy of how successful learning is promoted and why the subject should be taught
• Good subject knowledge that enables students of all abilities to achieve high outcomes
• Awareness of the strategies available for improving the learning and achievement of pupils of all abilities
• Knowledge of the current legal requirements, national policies and guidance on the safeguarding and promotion of the well-being of children and young people
Skills and Abilities
• High-quality teaching and the ability to implement evidence based inclusive best practice, that enable all pupils to achieve
• Ability to motivate and engage learners of all abilities
• Skills in adaptive teaching to support SEND pupils, high attainers and identified groups
• The ability to assess pupil progress and use this assessment to promote further learning
• Strong classroom routines and behaviour management with high expectations
• Effective assessment skills to inform planning and next steps
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with pupils, parents and colleagues
• Confident use of IT
• Committed to the role of the form tutor and to the academic and social progress of the pupils in the tutor group
Personal Qualities
• A reflective practitioner committed to professional development.
• Enthusiastic and passionate about the teaching of Mathematics education and able to share this passion with pupils.
• Committed to the pastoral role and supporting pupils’ academic and social development.
• Willing to contribute to the wider life of the school and extra-curricular activities
• Organised, reliable and able to manage time effectively.
Further Information:
Downlands Community School is a thriving, inclusive, and ambitious school committed to providing transformative opportunities that take all pupils beyond their lived experience.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding teacher to contribute to a thriving and highly successful Maths Department as it continues to build on its strong reputation for excellence.
Downlands is West Sussex School and uses national pay scales. The pay range for a Main Scale Teacher is point 1 (£34,069) to point 6 (£46,940). Teachers will be placed on this range according to the number of years of successful teaching experience they bring. The pay range for teachers on the Upper Pay Range is point 1 (£49,134) to point 3 (£52,835). Teachers will be placed on this range according to their current point on the range unless evidence can be produced of successful appraisal and recommendation from the current Headteacher that progression is warranted.
Applications
This school and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
Shortlisted applicants will be subject to an online search. This is not part of the short-listing process itself, and you will get a chance to address any issues of concern that some up during the search, at interview.
Applications should be made on a West Sussex application form for teaching posts which can be downloaded from the school website under “Vacancies”.
Applications should be addressed to Mr M Ashdown – Headteacher, once completed, please email to: [email protected]
Closing dates for applications is 9am on Monday 2nd November 2026
Applicants who are short listed for interview should be aware that references may be taken up before interview unless it has been indicated on the application that you do not want us to contact your referees without letting you know first.
Start date: 4th January 2027
