Curriculum Leader - Maths - Firrhill High School

Curriculum Leader - Maths - fixed term until 02/04/2027
Firrhill High School

Salary: £71,649
Hours: 35 per week

Firrhill High School serves the area of South West Edinburgh. In partnership with our five associated primary schools Bonaly, Colinton, Pentland, Longstone and Oxgangs, we strive to "Provide learning opportunities of the highest quality." Our school values are founded on respect for self and others, tolerance and support.

We have an ambitious goal in all we do - excellence for all, excellence by all.

We are one of the largest schools in Edinburgh with a roll of 1300 pupils and 130 staff. This provides us with the opportunity to provide a wide range of curricular, interdisciplinary and extracurricular activities that meet the needs of all of our pupils. We also provide opportunities for personal achievement and support pupils to develop skills for learning, work and life.

The Curriculum Leader will manage and lead a team of teaching staff within Firrhill High School to ensure high quality teaching and learning with the ultimate aim of maximising attainment and achievement for all pupils. S/he will work as the Curriculum Leader of Mathematics with a specific remit to take a lead role in managing this curriculum area. This faculty has 9.6 FTE members of teaching staff, including the Curriculum Leader.

As well as managing discrete courses, s/he will be expected to be forward thinking and innovative in terms of delivering the most appropriate courses to all levels of ability at all stages in the school.

The Curriculum Leader will be an active member of the school management team who will be responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of effective teaching and learning policies and procedures within the allocated department(s). A knowledge of current theories and practice relating to effective classroom teaching is required, along with an ability to ensure that such theories and practice are successfully implemented within the department and across the school as appropriate, taking account of school, Council and National Priorities.

The Curriculum Leader will undertake the duties outlined for all teachers as set out in Annex B of 'A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century'. S/he will teach up to 18 hours per week.

The Curriculum Leader will undertake duties related to the following:

1. responsibility for the leadership, good management and strategic direction of colleagues

• to be responsible for the planning and strategic direction of the Mathematics Faculty in the school.
• to oversee the Faculty Improvement Plans for the appropriate priority areas, and be accountable for their progress.
• to manage the budget and resources of the faculty.
• to be involved in the recruitment of staff.

2. curriculum development and quality assurance

• to develop and retain an overview of the direction, scope and pace of curriculum development within Mathematics Faculty.
• to promote, develop, implement and monitor school policies related to teaching and learning.
• to work with and advise colleagues in a professionally supportive and practical manner to ensure best practice in the classroom.
• to promote active participation of pupils in classroom experiences and their participation in self-evaluation and target-setting exercises in line with school policy
• to oversee arrangements for assessment and reporting within the faculty.
• to ensure that assessment records are carefully analysed to identify areas of success or concern.

3. contribute to school policy in relation to the behaviour management of pupils

• to support colleagues in the effective implementation of the school's behaviour policies

4. the management and guidance of colleagues

• manage faculty meetings and faculty quality assurance files
• to ensure that colleagues are familiar with whole-school policies and the whole school improvement plan
• to maintain a faculty handbook

5. reviewing the CLPL needs, careers development and performance of colleagues

• to carry out professional reviews within the faculty

6. the provision of advice, support and guidance to colleagues

• to initiate professional discussion, as appropriate, relating to theories, practices and research information on teaching and learning strategies

7. working in partnership with colleagues, parents, other specialist agencies and staff in other schools as appropriate

• to be responsible for the health and safety of Mathematics Faculty including managing risk assessments for the department(s), as appropriate
• to be responsible to the relevant Depute Head Teacher for the quality of learning and teaching in the Mathematics Faculty.
• to participate in whole-school consultation, cross-departmental discussion and decision-making processes and subject enquiries.
• to promote and implement effective links with Pupil Support staff (including Support for Learning).
• to meet parents and specialist agencies as necessary

• to liaise with the school Qualifications Co-ordinator and other colleagues to ensure collection of accurate data for QS examinations and post-result service requirements and the construction of internal examination arrangements.

  The Curriculum Leader will have significant relevant experience as a teacher who is qualified to teach Mathematics and have achieved the highest level of professionalism in the classroom. A sound knowledge of current national curricular developments and teaching and learning theory and practice and willingness to keep abreast of such developments and theory will be required. Evidence of a clear ability to implement and evaluate such methodology will also be of critical importance.

The Curriculum Leader must be able to demonstrate an ability to create, motivate and work effectively within a team and organise workload to meet deadlines. Good management liaison, communication and presentational skills and a commitment to maximising pupil progress are essential to this post.

The Curriculum Leader should demonstrate:

• proven ability to form good relationships with pupils, parents, staff and the wider community
• enthusiasm, energy, commitment, initiative, optimism and flexibility
• an empathy with pupils
• a commitment to personal development

The City of Edinburgh Council is an equal opportunities employer and will prevent discrimination, particularly on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, colour, religious belief, political belief, sexuality, nationality, ethnic origin, age, trade union activity, responsibility for dependants or employment status.

Note: Candidates are required to be registered, or eligible to be registered with, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Salaries will be in accordance with the Scheme of Salaries and Conditions of Service for Teaching Staff in School Education.

This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Find out more about our commitment to equalities https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/work-us/inclusive-edinburgh/4

Happy to talk flexible working.

Follow us on X at @edincounciljobs

To find out more about the essential and desirable requirements for the role click apply.

View Curriculum Leader job description

View Middle Leader person specification