Head of Computing

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a key department within the School. The successful candidate will be able to work with a team of enthusiastic and focused teachers. Durlston is committed to academic excellence and the academic staff are key to ensuring our teaching and learning is excellent and that the school is a place where children thrive. 

We have recently announced that we will be extending our education provision to include GCSE, taking our first Year 9 cohort from September 2023 with our first GCSE examinations taking place in the summer of 2026. The successful post-holder will be required to create and deliver the Computer Science GCSE curriculum as the school expands each year and to have input into the strategic direction of IT development at the school. We are seeking a candidate who can prove the delivery of these tasks.

Closing Date: 30th January

Interviews: Week commencing 6th February 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Overview

The post is suited to an experienced teacher who will lead and develop the Computing curriculum across the whole school. The person will be responsible for teaching Year 6 to Year 11, along with teaching further down the school as required. The position demands high professional standards and excellent subject knowledge. In addition, the successful candidate will be a member of the IT Steering Committee to assist in the strategic development of the IT infrastructure throughout the school.

The role may include acting as a tutor, building effective and supportive working relationships with their tutees and getting to know each pupil as an individual. There is also the opportunity to contribute to the extracurricular provision in the School. This could be in the form of involvement in sports, the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, drama, music or any other of the activities the School offers. Preferences for an involvement in this area of the School and/ or as a tutor should be expressed within a covering letter. There may also be scope for teaching another subject and any ability and willingness to do this should be made clear in the supporting letter.

In addition to the standard job description for a Teacher, the following is in relation to the role of Head of Computing.

Teaching & Learning

• Monitoring and ensuring there is effective planning and delivery of Computing lessons across the department.
• Overseeing and coordinating the creation of high quality schemes of work and resources for the Computing Department.
• Overseeing and monitoring effective planning and delivery of the Computing curriculum.
• Ensuring the use of and monitoring the effectiveness of a range of teaching strategies which enable all pupil groups to access the curriculum, including those registered with our Lighthouse (SEND Department).
• Ensuring relevant regulatory frameworks are communicated and upheld in teaching.
• Developing and monitoring the effectiveness of relevant computing which supports both learning and professional work.
• Leading departmental and contributing to whole school discussions and initiatives in teaching.
• Keeping abreast of national developments in teaching, notably for the subject taught.

Assessment and Feedback

• Developing, implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of a wide range of internal, ongoing assessments to monitor, track and support pupil progress.
• Developing, implementing and monitoring a wide range of feedback strategies to communicate attainment, progress and areas for development to pupils.
• Monitoring the communication of assessment and feedback to parents effectively (verbally and in writing).
• Contributing to department and whole school discussions and initiatives in assessment and feedback.

Continuing Professional Development

• Engaging in ongoing professional development, both within the School’s formal programme and independently, to support the continuing development of the department.
• Using effective self-evaluation of subject knowledge, teaching, leadership and management to inform ongoing professional development.
• Working closely with the department to ensure continuing development in all areas

Resource Management

• Administrative tasks, including relating to departmental timetabling, recording of meetings and key academic documentation, as directed by the senior leadership team.
• Responsibility for the departmental budget and for ordering and maintaining academic resources.

Co-Curricular

• Ensuring the department offers high quality co-curricular opportunities for pupils.

Upholding Wider School Values

• Ensuring the values of the School, including its commitment to kindness are embedded in all areas of professional practice.
• Committed to ensuring that the well-being and behaviour of pupils is prioritised.
• Active involvement in the pastoral life of the school as a tutor.