Computer Science Teacher

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1200 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, Middlesex. 

THE DEPARTMENT

Computer Science is a dynamic, collaborative and thriving department at St Helen’s; the subject is taught by three specialist Computer Science teachers, augmented by a number of teachers of related subjects.

Computer Science is an increasingly popular GCSE and A Level option subject; over 25% of students at Key Stage 4 regularly take the GCSE Computer Science qualification, and A Level outcomes are exceptional. All students take Computer Science throughout Key Stage 3; the schemes of work focus on developing problem-solving, computational thinking, and coding. We follow the AQA syllabus to GCSE, and the OCR syllabus to A Level.

A large proportion of Year 13 leavers go on to study STEM subjects, including Computer Science, at leading universities including Cambridge, Durham and Imperial College London. The Department forms part of the Technology Faculty along with Design & Technology, and we are keen to develop opportunities for collaborative curricular and Co-Curricular projects, especially within robotics.  

THE POST

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Full or Part Time (0.8) Computer Science Teacher to start September 2023. Early Career Teacher (ECT) applications are welcomed.

The role will report to: Director of Digital Learning

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

All teachers are expected to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning by:

•    Preparing and delivering challenging and differentiated lessons

•    Setting homework in accordance with the school’s homework policy

•    Marking work in accordance with the school’s marking policy

•    Using all available data and information to ensure that each student is provided with an appropriate programme of study

•    Having a good understanding of the schemes of work they are following and how these fit into the overall scheme of work for the subject they are teaching

•    Keeping up to date with developments in the teaching of their subject

•   Take a full and active role in the School’s Co-Curricular programme 

OTHER DUTIES

•      Carry out such duties as may reasonably be required by the Head of Department

•      Support and promote the school’s ethos, aims and objectives

•      Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Strategic Plan

•      Promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

•      Work within the School’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors

•      Promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff

•      Help sustain a school culture and curriculum which promotes an ethical education for all including promoting positive strategies for challenging discrimination of any kind

•      Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues

•      Engage actively in the performance review process

•      Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time

THE PERSON

It is essential for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes:

 ·        A good honours degree in a relevant or associated subject

·        A love of teaching and learning and a commitment to further professional development

·        Be able to work well with others and develop the curriculum through collaborative planning

·        Excellent classroom practice with experience of teaching Computer Science across the secondary age range including KS5

·        Excellent ability to code and debug code in Python, HTML and one other language (e.g. JavaScript and C#) 

·        Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment

·        Be able to lead learning in their classroom, develop each child and demonstrable passion for the subject 

It is desirable for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes: 

•     A teaching qualification such as PGCE (or equivalent)

•     Evidence of further professional development

•     Knowledge and experience of how technology can be used to support learning 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8am Friday 17th February 2023

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership team, be observed teaching a lesson, have a tour of the school and meet other members of the Computer Science Department and wider Faculty.

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2022 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london