Junior Class Teacher and Head of Lower School Maths

Job Introduction

We are looking for a bright, caring, and enthusiastic individual who will relish the opportunity to become a Junior Class Teacher, working with our very able pupils. They will also take additional responsibility for leading Maths across the Lower School (Reception to Year 4).

This post has been created as part of the Under School's expansion, as we also prepare to welcome girls from September 2026. It will also coincide with the first intake of a larger 7+ cohort, making this an exciting opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the Junior Department.

The successful candidate will be part of a friendly team consisting of three Year 3 classes and two Year 4 classes (growing to three Year 4 classes in 2027), each with 20 pupils. The staff body is warm, supportive, and collaborative. A collegiate approach to teaching, planning, and assessment is encouraged and nurtured. Both pupils and staff are exceptionally motivated.

Junior Class Teachers teach a broad range of core subjects including English, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Theology, Philosophy and Religion (TPR), and PSHEE. Pupils work significantly above their chronological age. Specialist teachers take the Junior pupils for subjects including Computing, Games and PE, French, Art, Drama, and Music.

The successful candidate will lead on Maths across the Lower School and will have a significant impact on the curriculum development of our new age groups and expanded cohorts. They will inspire others with their commitment to fostering a high standard of academics and a love of mathematics.

Main Responsibilities

Line Manager: Deputy Master (Lower School)

The post holder will also report into, and work in collaboration with, the Head of Maths, who holds responsibility for Maths across the whole School.

Role Responsibilities:

Teaching and Learning

• Plan, prepare, teach and evaluate lessons, activities and learning and teaching strategies in line with Schemes of Work located on the Intranet and in line with the parallel class teachers.
• Provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which consideration is given to the individual development of all pupils.
• Adapt learning and teaching and associated resources in a manner that challenges and interests the pupils and is appropriate to their needs and skill levels.
• Apply any recommendations and guidance for pupils with specific learning or welfare needs or disabilities, as directed by the SENDCo, or on the pupil's personalised learning plan.
• Apply, judiciously and where appropriate, IT capability to enhance learning and teaching.
• Contribute to, and maintain consistency with, internal and relevant external marking schedules and moderation procedures.
• Engage pupils fully in the assessment and self-evaluation process.
• Carry out a range of formative assessments of pupils' attainment to acknowledge and inform progress.
• Record and report on pupil progress and achievements in accordance with the Junior Department's requirements, including formal reporting points such as parents' evenings and written reports.

Pastoral care and pupil management

• Put pupils at the centre of everything you do, taking a pastoral interest in pupils around the school environs, so that they feel valued and cared for.
• Monitor the work of class pupils, providing guidance, advice and support, and fostering self-esteem.
• Motivate pupils through praise, while being firm but fair.
• Actively maintain the high standards of behaviour and uniform of pupils in the classroom and in all school locations and activities.
• Write and maintain relevant records for individual pupil files and writing reports.
• Communicate, respond to and consult with parents on a regular basis maintaining records, as appropriate.
• Communicate and consult with other departments or members of staff to implement recommendations, policies or guidance.

All teachers and other staff are expected to:

• Promote and support the School's Aims and Vision and School Development Plan.
• Adhere to and support the School's policies and procedures.
• Accept responsibility for the welfare and care of all pupils, at all times.
• Undertake break and supervisory duties as designated by the Senior Management Team.
• Cover classes for absent colleagues as directed by Senior Management Team.
• Attend staff meetings, parents' evenings and other meetings and school events, such as the Carol Service and open days, outside normal hours.
• Attend relevant school trips, normally including one residential visit per year.
• Undertake any other duties or tasks as the Master, the Deputy Master or the Governing Body may reasonably require.
• Engage positively in and contribute to INSET activities offered by the School.
• Be involved in new initiatives within the School as part of ongoing professional development.
• Take an active interest in maintaining subject knowledge, learning networks and current educational research.

Head of Lower School Maths

Curriculum and Teaching

• Lead and oversee the design, delivery, and assessment of Mathematics teaching from Reception to Year 4.
• Develop a curriculum that promotes fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving, preparing pupils for the demands of the Upper School and beyond, and working closely with the Head of Maths (Upper School).
• Ensure that teaching is engaging, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all learners.
• Promote mathematical curiosity and encourage pupils to explore, question, and think creatively about numbers and patterns.
• Support teachers in embedding effective approaches to early numeracy, including mastery-based learning and conceptual understanding.
• Run regular parent workshops to ensure that the parents are well-informed partners in their children's learning.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and support Lower School staff in the teaching of Mathematics, sharing best practice and promoting professional development.
• Work closely with the Head of Maths (Upper School) to align curriculum intent, pedagogy, and assessment across all year groups.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Head (Lower School), SENCo, and other subject leaders to ensure appropriate differentiation and challenge for every pupil.
• Contribute to the strategic development of Mathematics across the school and play a key role in maintaining its position as a subject of excellence.

Co-Curricular and Enrichment

• Inspire a love of Mathematics through enrichment opportunities such as maths clubs, competitions, and problem-solving workshops, raising the profile of the subject across the Lower School.
• Celebrate mathematical success and encourage pupils to see the relevance and beauty of Mathematics in the wider world.

Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

Any additional questions should be directed in the first instance to the Assistant Master (Juniors), Hayley Wellman

The Ideal Candidate

Please refer to the attached person specification for further details.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About The School

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Our staff are friendly and welcoming and all new teachers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours.

It also does not matter where you come to us from. Some teachers come to us straight from university or having just taken a PGCE. Some have taught in independent schools before while others come from the state sector, or another industry altogether. The common ground is that all our teachers have a great knowledge and love for their subject and are willing to be fully involved in the life of the School and the lives of the children who come here.

At Westminster Under School we will always select the best candidate for every position. However, we know we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here. Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity.

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments' walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education.

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them.

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School's focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil's spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School's dedication to inclusivity and excellence.

Package Description

Required for: September 2026

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time, permanent

Salary: Westminster Under School has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are shortlisted. There is also an associated responsibility allowance with this role.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 31st October 2025. Interviews will take place in-person shortly after the closing date.