Spotlight on: Mr Hewer, Head of Maths and Seniors

When did you join Hallfield?

September 2020.

Where were you before you joined Hallfield?

I worked at Lordswood Boys’ School and St George’s School in the Birmingham area.

What made you want to become a teacher?

The excitement of the classroom environment and working with young people. There is something really magical and motivating about helping children to become the best versions of themselves.

What is your favourite topic(s) to teach and why?

I love the variety that teaching provides me with so it’s difficult to choose one thing I love the most. If I had to choose it would be mathematics of course, but also developing the Seniors’ curriculum, particularly their enrichment opportunities, such as applying their mathematics skills to design and construct a Pizza oven, as well as the best bit, making, cooking and finally eating the pizzas!

How does your subject enhance a child’s curriculum / development?

Mathematics is unlike many subjects in that there is often only one correct answer. This means children are frequently subjected to ‘failure’, so mathematics gives them more opportunities to develop their resilience and perseverance, and understand that everybody fails at times, and to “FAIL” is just a “First Attempt In Learning”.

What careers would your subject be useful for?

Every career. Mathematics is all about learning to problem-solve and no matter your career, you will be solving problems.

What does an average day at Hallfield look like for you?

Every day begins with my cycle to work, setting up my classroom and lessons for the day, checking emails and then deciding what genre of music we will be listening to when the Seniors arrive! Lots of teaching, marking and meetings, finishing up with a debrief of the day and goodbye handshakes with the Seniors. But really there’s no such thing as an ‘average day’ at Hallfield. I love that every day is different.

What do you love most about Hallfield?

The wonderful staff and the friendly atmosphere created by all the Hallfield community, as well as the opportunity to be creative with the curriculum; Hallfield provides pupils with a rich and exciting learning experience like no other school I’ve seen.

What would we be surprised to know about you?

I’m also a professional-level musician and used to work at Kerrang! Radio.

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would that be?

Work hard, and be kind and generous with everyone you meet. Also, grasp the opportunities presented to you with both hands.