- Mountain trekking
- Singing in a choir
- Tennis and badminton
- Travel
James Bashford
Lewes,East Sussex
Summary
Shapes mathematics provision through teaching, mentoring and programme leadership across education and training contexts. Coordinates colleagues, partners and senior stakeholders to share practice, improve delivery and support consistent standards. Combines analytical insight with relationship-building to influence change and add value across departments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Department
BHASVIC
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
09.2024 - Current
- Co-led and managed a mathematics teaching team of 21–24 teachers, enhancing instructional strategies for 1400 students.
- Reviewed and evaluated departmental performance, delivering reports to senior management with actionable insights and recommendations for improvement.
- Collaborated with other managers to plan and direct organisational tasks.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, offering constructive feedback and setting individual objectives.
Assistant Professor of Education
University of Sussex
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
09.2022 - 08.2026
- Delivered engaging lectures, seminars and tutorials, increasing class productivity.
- Led secondary mathematics PGCE programme, overseeing curriculum development and teacher training.
- Contributed to departmental accreditation processes, ensuring compliance with educational standards and quality.
- Attended conferences to learn about new research and present findings.
A Level Pedagogy Work Group Lead and Assistant Maths Hub Lead for Post 16
Sussex Maths Hub
Burgess Hill
09.2018 - 08.2023
- Led work group for level mathematics teachers, influencing teaching methods across Sussex.
- Collaborated with post-16 mathematics leads in Sussex to exchange best practices, fostering professional development.
- Coordinated core mathematics and GCSE resit work groups, enhancing support for educators and students.
Teacher of A Level Mathematics
BHASVIC
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
09.2017 - 08.2023
- Delivered A level mathematics, AS Further Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics, achieving consistently outstanding student outcomes.
- Used effective teaching methods to assist with student development, including collaborative learning, positive reinforcement, modelling and explicit instruction.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
- Maintained trusting student relationships by providing both educational and emotional support to students.
Secondary Maths PGCE Tutor and SKE Tutor
University of Sussex
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
09.2016 - 08.2022
- Trained new teachers on PGCE programme through effective teaching and comprehensive school placement visits.
- Enhanced mathematics subject knowledge of prospective trainee teachers through targeted support in SKE.
- Tutored students in one-to-one and small group sessions to progress learning.
Assistant Head of Mathematics
Uckfield College
Uckfield, East Sussex
09.2008 - 08.2017
- Led delivery of GCSE mathematics curriculum, overseeing classroom and assessment activities to ensure educational standards.
- Coordinated Level mathematics course leadership, ensuring consistency in teaching standards across all classes.
- Taught mathematics to students aged 11-18, implementing structured lesson plans to enhance student understanding.
Teacher of Maths/Course Lead for Maths/Head of Faculty
Pakuranga College
Half Moon Bay
05.2002 - 08.2008
- Managed mathematics department of 22 teachers, coordinating subject planning to ensure curriculum alignment and consistency.
- Taught mathematics to students aged 13-18 using structured lessons and targeted practice to enhance understanding.
- Delivered weekly marking and targeted support to strengthen understanding.
- Oversaw ICT department, ensuring seamless operation of learning resources to support effective teaching.
Teacher of Maths
Heathfield Community College
Heathfield, East Sussex
09.1998 - 08.2001
- Developed differentiated maths lessons incorporating practice sets to meet diverse learning needs of 11-18 learners.
- Facilitated guided problem-solving sessions to support 11-18 students during class and revision, improving confidence and skills.
- Delivered clear lesson walkthroughs to enhance understanding of mathematics for students aged 11-18.
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate of Higher Education -
University of Sussex
Brighton, East Sussex01-2023
MA Mathematics Education -
Institute of Education, University College London
London01-2017
Post-Graduate Certificate of Education Secondary Mathematics -
St. Martins College
Lancaster01-1998
BSc - Environmental Mathematics
Lancaster University
Lancaster01-1997
A Levels - PE, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Human Biology & General Studies
The Sixth Form College
Colchester01-1994
Skills
- Curriculum development and planning
- Academic accreditation and quality assurance
- Teacher training and mentoring
- Performance evaluation techniques
- Team and programme leadership
- Strategic planning and compliance
- Academic leadership and relationship building
- Negotiation and recruitment strategies
- Team leadership
- Programme leadership
- Strategic planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Academic leadership
- Relationship building
- Development planning
- PGCE programme leadership
- Relationship building strength
- Negotiation
- Recruitment and hiring
Accomplishments
- I presented at the 2007 New Zealand Association of Mathematics Teachers Biennial Conference. The session focused on Developing Mathematics activities linked to the Auckland Sky Tower.
- In 2017 I completed my Masters in Mathematics Education. My dissertation focused on student use of graphing software to improve their understanding of the structure of graphs in A Level Further Maths.
- In 2018 I was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award at the University of Sussex. This is initially voted on by students with a panel of University Staff and Student Union Officers deciding on the winners.
- In 2024 I organised and hosted a Sussex Maths Hub Post-16 Conference about the Numworks Calculator. This conference was well attended with very positive feedback.
- In 2024-25 we ran a successful Sussex Maths Hub A Level Pedagogy Workgroup on the use of graphic calculators, mainly focusing on the Numworks Calculator.
- In 2024-25 our Maths Department achieved ALPS 2, placing us in the top 10% of student progress in the UK.
- In 2025 the Secondary Maths PGCE course achieved its highest number of Student Teachers for at least ten years, demonstrating the excellent reputation that we had built.
Certification
- Specialist Leader of Education certified
- Professional Development Lead certified
- Excellence in Teaching Award
Interests
Timeline
Head of Department
BHASVIC
09.2024 - Current
Assistant Professor of Education
University of Sussex
09.2022 - 08.2026
A Level Pedagogy Work Group Lead and Assistant Maths Hub Lead for Post 16
Sussex Maths Hub
09.2018 - 08.2023
Teacher of A Level Mathematics
BHASVIC
09.2017 - 08.2023
Secondary Maths PGCE Tutor and SKE Tutor
University of Sussex
09.2016 - 08.2022
Assistant Head of Mathematics
Uckfield College
09.2008 - 08.2017
Teacher of Maths/Course Lead for Maths/Head of Faculty
Pakuranga College
05.2002 - 08.2008
Teacher of Maths
Heathfield Community College
09.1998 - 08.2001
Post-Graduate Certificate of Higher Education -
University of Sussex
MA Mathematics Education -
Institute of Education, University College London
Post-Graduate Certificate of Education Secondary Mathematics -
St. Martins College
BSc - Environmental Mathematics
Lancaster University
A Levels - PE, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Human Biology & General Studies
The Sixth Form College