Are you a new Head of Maths this year? Would you appreciate the heads up from existing colleagues in the role?
Being a head of maths is a challenging job with significant responsibility. But it can also be a satisfying and varied role with the chance to impact positively on a team of teachers and hundreds of students.
If you’re new to the post, there is a lot to consider. In their article, the NCETM asked several experienced heads of maths what they would recommend to new HoDs, including what they wished they had done or would do differently if they did it again! Below are some of their ideas. But don’t try to do everything at once, or even in the first term or year—particularly if you’re moving into the job at a new school, where it’ll be important to value what existing team members are already doing. You could simply start by trying out one or two of the ideas below.
In the short-term…
Form good relationships
Summarise your courses and curriculum on a side of A4
Put a maths question on the department noticeboard
Speak to the students
Produce a weekly bulletin for your team
In the medium-term…
6. Determine your focus
7. Ask for ideas for department meetings
In the long-term…
8. Make connections with other local HoDs
9. Give your team time
For a link to the more detailed NCETM article, please click here.
We have focused on bullet number 8 here:
Leading a department can feel like a lonely job at times, and it’s great to hear from others in the same role who can really empathise with your challenges and questions. As your local Maths Hub, we have a ready-made ongoing collaborative professional development project you can join to build those networking opportunities. However you do it, staying in touch with other HoDs in any way can prove invaluable, as well as reassuring.
If you want to network with other secondary heads of maths, and receive expert input and subject-specific professional development, join our Secondary Subject Leadership Work Group.
For more details, and to register, simply click here: