Head of Computer Science at Didcot Girls’ School /Associate Senior Leader

Head of Computer Science at Didcot Girls’ School with the opportunity to apply for the Associate Senior Leader role of Digital Skills Leader for Ridgeway Education Trust

Role commences: April/September 2023

Head of Computer Science at Didcot Girls School:

Salary/allowances: MPS/UPS scale point + TLR2.3a (currently £7,029 per annum). Additional time per fortnight as leadership and management time.

Associate Senior Leader, DGS Head of Computer Science and RET Digital Skills Leader:

Salary: Spot point LT10 (£55,360pa) and additional non-contact time for the RET Digital Skills Leader role.

Didcot Girls’ School is a dynamic school. In November 2022, the school was judged to be Outstanding. As Ofsted recognised, we invest in all of our staff:

‘Leaders support staff very well. They have established a collaborative and respectful working environment. With the trust, they provide highly valued training and leadership programmes. Staff are exceptionally proud to work at the school.’

Ofsted also noted the high standards within the school and commented that ‘Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary’.

We are a values-driven school, committed to high quality teaching and learning and respectful relationships within an inclusive learning community. Developing stimulating and student-centred teaching and learning is at the centre of our school development work. We work hard to ensure that all girls’ education enables our students to develop confidence, leadership skills and high levels of aspiration.

Summer 2022 GCSE results were superb with 88% of all students achieving 4+ in English and Maths, and 72% doing the same at 5+, creating a progress result of 0.8. Results at A level in Didcot Sixth Form, the mixed sixth form shared with our partner school, St Birinus School, are also extremely strong with 44% of grades awarded as A* or A and 68% achieving Grades A*-B last summer. These results place us as one of the highest performing schools in the county and the country.

The school is the founding member of Ridgeway Education Trust which comprises Didcot Girls’ School, St Birinus School and Sutton Courtenay CofE Primary School. Our Trust is thriving. Collaboration is at the heart of our work together and this creates many professional and career development opportunities for our staff.

DGS Computer Science Department:

The Department consistently achieves well above National Average examination outcomes for girls at GCSE and girls and boys at A level. A Level Computer Science is a popular choice in the Didcot Sixth Form, delivering consistently excellent results. Many of our students progress to study Computer Science at university.

The Department comprises four specialist Computer Science teachers delivering fully resourced schemes of work from Years 7 – 13. One member of the team carries a TLR responsibility for KS3 Computer Science. We are now looking to recruit a Head of Computer Science who will teach across Didcot Girls’ School, St Birinus School and the sixth form, although the post is predominantly based at Didcot Girls’ School, and who can continue to offer a rich experience within the subject, as well as whole school enrichment projects. We are very fortunate to have connections with Oxford and Buckingham Universities, the Computing at Schools network (CAS), and we also have links with Microsoft and a range of international technological and engineering companies at Harwell Science Campus.

Core Computing is taught in Years 7, 8 and 9 to introduce students to computational thinking, problem solving and programming in Scratch and Python. Our students then follow a three-year KS4 programme, with GCSE Computer Science a popular choice. A-Level Computer Science is popular with two classes across both Year 12 and 13. Both GCSE and A-Level courses follow the OCR specification.

The faculty is fast-paced, outward-facing and at the forefront of the Trust’s work on developing effective teaching, learning, planning and assessment strategies that support even greater success for students in reformed qualifications.

We offer weekly revision sessions for our GCSE Computer Science students as well as our own Coding Club where KS3 students independently develop their programming skills by creating their own applications.

If you share our growth mindset approach to both learning and life, then we would love to hear from you!

The Post:

This is a key post in a dynamic and strong department. We are looking for someone with a genuine and infectious passion for their subject, who will enthuse and engage the students they teach; someone with high expectations for all students whatever their prior attainment.

The post is suitable for candidates who are able to teach Computer Science at KS3, KS4 and A level.

We are members of the Oxfordshire Teaching School Hub (OTSH), heavily involved with training interns through the SCITT. We are also a founding member of the Oxfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance (OTSA). a partnership of Oxfordshire schools,  Oxfordshire  County Council, The University of Oxford, The University of Reading and Oxford Brookes University which opens a wealth of opportunities to engage in CPD inside our school and externally.

The successful applicant will have strong experience and a record of success at Key Stage 5 as well as at KS3 and KS4.

Excellent professional development and support is available for the successful candidate.

For further information about the Department, please email Sarah Roberts, Deputy Headteacher, at sroberts@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Should you wish to visit the school in advance of an application, or for any general queries, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Frances Adley, at fadley@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Application Process

Please download and complete an application form paying particular attention to the ‘Relevant skills and experience’ section - and send it to Frances Adley at vacancy@didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk

Please submit a written response (maximum 2 sides A4 at point 11) to the following question:

‘What skills and experience do I have which make me a strong candidate for this post and how would I implement what I see as the key parts of the role to support outstanding outcomes for students?’

In your application, please make clear whether you wish to be considered for the RET Digital Skills Leader. The job description for this post is included with the application pack and a copy of the RET Digital Strategy available on request via Frances Adley.

The deadline for applications is 9am on 3rd February 2023. We encourage you apply early as we reserve the right to interview on receipt of applications.

Didcot Girls School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check along with standard pre-employment safeguarding checks.

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original qualification certificate(s), proof of residence and photographic ID to interview.

Didcot Girls School is an equal opportunities employer.