Job title: Head Of Maths at Alcester High School Technology College
Name of company or organisation: Alcester High School Technology College
Time spent in current job: 2 1/2 years as Head of Maths, 5 years at school in total.
Qualifications: BSC (HONS) Maths 2-2, PGCE Maths (Worcester University College), Microsoft Innovative Teacher, IC3 ICT qualification.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for Clearly it is a school that I work for, running the Maths department. Alcester High is a semi rural school in Warwickshire that has a mixed intake, from rural villages to the second most deprived Warwickshire area in the County. There are approx 800 students on roll, and around 60 staff in total.
Explain what you do on an average day at work
During a typical school day, I will be teaching (approx four 1 hour lessons per day), planning, looking after a tutor group, running the day to day requirements of the department, observing and assisting other members of staff in my department, making new interactive resources on pc for the department and my own teaching, marking, the list is almost endless and varied. Every day is different!
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is turning pupils who have failed their 11 plus into confident and able Mathematicians, and seeing them be successful.
When and why did you become interested in maths?
I have always been interested in maths, from a very early age at school (sad I know!). Just liked and understood the logical side to maths.
What made you choose your career?
I always wanted to have a job that would give me variety, and would not just be the same every day, and also wanted to share the techniques that I had learnt with others.
Which of your skills do you consider essential for your job?
Good communication and ICT skills are the most important skills in my job.
Do you have any advice for someone considering your career path?
Be absolutely sure that you are FULLY committed before deciding on teaching, it can be the most rewarding job in the world, but it can also be the most demanding, and in some cases destroying.
What does the future hold for you?
Looking to perhaps move to a bigger department with A-level teaching, or a senior management position in my current school, but not for a few years yet!