Computer Science Teacher

St Helen’s is one of the leading independent day schools in the country, educating over 1100 girls aged 3-18. An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, passionate teacher to join our vibrant and  thriving Computer Science Department. Applications from experienced teachers and NQTs will be considered.

Computer Science at St Helen’s Computer Science at St Helen’s School is a popular subject choice as our exciting Key Stage 3 schemes of work give the girls the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to take Computer Science qualifications at GCSE and A Level.  Girls study Computer Science as a compulsory part of their core curriculum in Years 7-9, in which  they focus on coding and computational thinking. Python remains the main coding language taught at  Key Stage 3, and the girls are introduced to it as early as Year 7, alongside opportunities to use  Lego EV3, BBC MicroBits and Raspberry Pi.We follow the AQA syllabus to GCSE and the OCR  specification to A Level.  From September 2017 the Department will benefit from newly-converted accommodation within the  School, comprising three state-of-the-art computer suites and a departmental office in the main  school building, and an additional computer suite for Sixth Form teaching in the new Sixth Form building which will also open in September. Each classroom is  equipped with regularly upgraded consoles and an interactive whiteboard.  The Computer Science Department offers an exciting range of co-curricular opportunities for the  girls, and collaborates effectively with the Design & Technology and Physics Departments to develop the girls’ interests in all aspects of Science and Technology.

Teaching at St Helen’s (job description)  

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   

Person specification 

The successful candidate will have:

Essential: 

•    A good honours degree in Computer Science or a related subject 

•   A PGCE or equivalant teaching qualification

•    The ability to teach Computer Science to Key Stages 3, 4 & 5

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

•    A clear motivation to work with young people 

•    The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with young people 

•    Commitment to further professional development 

A willingness to contribute to the co-curricular life of the School.

Desirable: 

•   Experience of teaching Computer Science across the secondary age    range 

•    Evidence of further professional development 

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

The successful candidate will: 

•    Be an exceptional classroom practitioner and inspiring teacher of Mathematics 

•    Possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills 

•    Have excellent time management and organisational skills 

•    Be creative, imaginative and energetic 

•    Be able to motivate others  

The teacher should have knowledge and understanding of:  

•    Effective teaching and learning styles. 

•    Theory and practice of providing effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g.  classroom organisation, planning, teaching strategies and removing barriers to learning) 

•    Monitoring, assessment, recording and reporting of pupils’ progress •    An appreciation of how assessment supports effective learning 

•    The needs of pupils aged 11-19 

•    Legislation and best practice concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Individual  Learning Needs and Keeping Children Safe in Education. Person specification (cont.)