Lead Practitioner in Maths - Fixed Term in Walsall

What skills and experience we're looking for:

Reports to: Subject Leader for Maths

Contract: Full time or part time considered

Pay: LP with salary range L06–L10 (£58,569 – £64,691)

Job Overview:

Lead the teaching and learning of Maths across KS3 and KS4/5 at Shire Oak Academy, a community school on an ambitious journey of improvement and growth. You will receive support from the Senior Leadership Team and a dedicated mentor while working with a dedicated team of staff and students committed to raising aspirations and transforming outcomes. We are appointing two new roles – one for KS3 and one for KS4/5. The role is not suitable for Early Career Teacher (ECT) candidates.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has vision, ambition and resilience to lead teaching and learning in Maths
• Is a strong mathematician and a good team player
• Is passionate about Mathematics and can inspire both students and staff
• Believes in high expectations for all and shares our ethos of doing the right thing by our students

Responsibilities:

• Plan high‑quality lessons and lead delivery of consistently good and outstanding teaching; model excellent practice and maintain a clear focus on outstanding delivery for learners, acting as a centre of best practice and excellence.
• Carry out day‑to‑day duties of a classroom teacher on an exemplary basis.
• Lead, inspire and motivate colleagues in developing their teaching and learning through mentoring, coaching and support.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team and other external support to develop, implement and evaluate policies and practice that lead to school improvement.
• Undertake research into best practice in other schools.
• Research and evaluate innovative curricular practices and draw on research outcomes and other sources of external evidence to inform own practice and that of colleagues.
• Develop high‑quality teaching materials and schemes for learning.

Essential qualifications and attributes:

• Strong classroom practitioner with a proven track record of success at KS3 and KS4.
• Strong leadership potential with the ability to challenge, support and develop others.
• The drive to make a significant difference to the lives of our students and play a central role in the academy’s improvement journey.

What we offer:

• Extensive professional development opportunities within the Mercian Trust.
• The chance to work with a network of talented Maths leaders across the Trust.
• Opportunities to teach at KS5.
• A dedicated and committed staff team.
• Fantastic students and great middle leaders.
• Benefits that come with being part of a strong and supportive multi‑academy trust.
• A genuine opportunity to shape the future of Shire Oak Academy and the lives of our young people.

Application details:

• Closing Date: 13 March 2026
• Interview Date: TBC w/c 23 March 2026
• Start Date: 13/04/2026 or 01/09/2026

For a more detailed look at our academy, visit www.shireoakacademy.co.uk. Further details are available by contacting the Headteacher’s PA by e‑mail: ons.read@soa.merciantrust.org.uk

Safeguarding Commitment:

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Pre‑employment checks include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check as a requirement of this post. Our Safeguarding Policy is available on our website and we encourage applicants to review it before applying. This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Further details regarding this check are available from the school or by visiting www.crb.gov.uk.

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 inform us of any unspent conviction, caution, reprimand or warning under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.