Teacher of Maths (Maternity Cover)
We are looking to appoint a committed and collaborative teacher who shows a real passion for Mathematics to join an outstanding department. Required for September 2026 initially, to cover a period of maternity leave, the successful applicant with have strong academic qualifications and will be able to teach all parts of the A Level and GCSE Maths syllabus. Most importantly though, the successful candidate will have energy and enthusiasm for the subject, which will be evident throughout all aspects of the application.
Canford is a successful co-educational boarding and day school with some 650 pupils aged 13 - 18, of whom about a third are day pupils. It has one of the most beautiful settings of any school in the country and is a very enjoyable and exciting atmosphere in which to work.
The Department
The Mathematics department at Canford thrives on the sharing of ideas, and the development of resources is central to our approach. The main teaching emphasis is to provide an enriched diet of Mathematics for our pupils. Teachers go beyond the confines of the exam curricula wherever possible in order to inspire pupils to enjoy Mathematics. We hope to help students appreciate the subject’s value and to flourish as mathematicians.
Mathematics is a strong subject at Canford and contributes proudly to the school’s excellent exam results. The department prides itself on its excellence, and all staff continue to challenge their pedagogical understanding and explore new teaching and learning opportunities.
The Mathematics Department is housed in its own suite of seven classrooms. All the classrooms have “white walls” and interactive data projectors. The team consists of 12 specialist teachers of varying experience.
In the Lower School (years 9 to 11), we follow the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus. Last year around 75% of our pupils achieved level 7-9, with over 25% achieving a level 9.
In the Sixth Form, Mathematics is the most popular subject in the school. In the current Lower Sixth, over 50% of the cohort are taking Mathematics, of these approximately one third are studying Further Mathematics. We currently follow the Edexcel A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics syllabus, and last year, over 50% of pupils achieved A/A* grade. Our best mathematicians from all year groups take part in the UKMT Maths Challenge every year; we provide opportunities to these students to work on their problem-solving technique throughout the year.
The post will appeal to an excellent teacher who has learning at the centre of their focus, who wishes to inspire students and challenge them to be the best they can be through an innovative and inspiring approach. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to focus on teaching well behaved, capable and well-motivated pupils.
Applicants are welcome to contact Stuart Gordon (Head of Maths), on sjg@canford.com for further information.
Applications
Please ensure you include details of referees in your application. Please also upload a covering letter and full curriculum vitae. For queries contact the HR Department on 01202 847590 or by email: recruitment@canford.com
APPLICATIONS
Please ensure you include details of referees in your application. Please also upload a covering letter and full curriculum vitae. For queries contact the HR Department on 01202 847590 or by email: recruitment@canford.com
Those interested are requested to apply as soon as possible, and at the latest by 15th March 2026. Interviews may be arranged prior to the closing date for suitable applicants.
TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION
Canford is ‘a school community where all are inspired to explore, empowered to express and challenged to excel’.
This vision is not just a form of words. It underpins how we live and work together, how we seek to educate and support our pupils and how we develop our staff who commit so much of themselves to those young people in our care. As a community we bring a sense of purposeful engagement and a courageous attitude to the challenges and opportunities which life brings; we aim high but pursue our goals with humble ambition and we strive to make a real and positive difference to our world through gracious leadership.
Purpose:
All teachers should make a positive contribution to good practice in the school by generating enthusiasm for the work in their departments, building good relationships with colleagues, parents and pupils, and by encouraging and establishing high standards in the teaching and learning of a specific subject or group of subjects. In addition, they are asked to contribute fully to the wider educational offering including pastoral and co-curricular provision and to the development of the whole school community in accordance with the aims of the school.
All staff are expected to promote the safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare of all pupils at all times.
The core teaching hours take place from 0800 to 1800 Monday to Saturday, with wider contribution required for pastoral and co-curricular activities during evenings and weekends
Workload will be determined by the SLT in discussion with the teacher. Duties are likely to vary from teacher to teacher, but will include the following:
Academic responsibilities
- Prepare and deliver effective lessons according to schemes of work or as set out by the Head of Department/Line Manager.
- Set and mark work regularly for all pupils.
- Keep accurate records of pupils’ progress and achievements.
- Apply assessment framework as laid out by the Deputy Head Academic
- Set and mark a share of the internal examinations within the Department
- Set and mark coursework as required
- Write internal and external assessments/reports as required
- Attend and contribute to Departmental meetings
- Show willingness to share ideas and contribute to Departmental Resources
- Take a share of responsibility for activities organised by the Department (eg field trips, lectures, societies)
- Attend INSET meetings as required – demonstrate active engagement with CPD and an ability to share and apply this learning effectively.
- Attend Staff meetings as required
- Adopt a professional approach to teaching modelling behaviour expected of pupils
Co-curricular expectations:
Canford offers a wide and varied co-curricular programme including Sport, Music, Drama, CCF, Outdoor Adventure and Community Service. Typically, a full-time teacher without additional responsibilities would contribute 4 afternoons sessions (Monday to Saturday) per week, throughout the academic year. This would be pro-rata for part-time staff:
- Activities will be allocated which best align with a teacher’s skills and interests, where possible.
- A requirement to support weekend and evening activities during term-time
- An expectation to support School trips outside term-time.
Pastoral expectations:
- House duties will be required, allocated during evenings and weekends. Part-time teachers will be provided a pro-rata allocation.
- Staff attendance at assembly, chapel each week.
- Other expectations include:
- All staff will be allocated tutees and will be required to meet the expectations of a Canford tutor, including tutor meetings in line with expectations set out by the School.
- An expectation to drive on School business, which may require you to complete a mini-bus driving assessment qualification (depending on ability/qualification).
- Timely completion of compliance training such as safeguarding, first aid and annual declarations to confirm an awareness and understanding of the School’s policies and procedures.
- Support marketing and admissions events such as Open Day, admissions assessment processes and other events involving feeder schools both on and off site where required.
- Support colleagues and engage with wellbeing initiatives both for pupils and staff.
No job description can fully encompass every aspect of this role and duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time.
TEACHER SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
• An honours degree in a relevant subject
• A track record of achievement and ambition
• Excellent subject knowledge
• Excellent communication skills
• Expert classroom management skills and rapport with pupils
• A considerable work rate and high degree of administration efficiency
• Good/effective ICT skills
• Love of working with young people
• Enthusiasm to participate in the School community, supporting a wide range of activities
• Strong, dynamic character
• Excellent interpersonal skills with good pastoral instincts
• Stamina, emotional intelligence and resilience
• Willingness to work on professional development and to assist others to do so
• Willingness to continue learning throughout your career
• Proven aptitude for organisation and quick logical thought
• Attitude, style and presence of a role model for pupils
Desirable
• A recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE
• Experience of classroom teaching
• Understanding of the boarding school environment
• Experience of working within a boarding school
• Ability and experience working in co-curricular areas such as sport, music, drama etc
Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
