Head of Computing

St Catherine’s School seeks to appoint an enthusiastic, highly skilled Head of Computing to provide ambitious academic and strategic leadership for this important and growing subject. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Computing at a school that values innovation, creativity, and intellectual confidence, and to contribute meaningfully to the School’s wider digital and innovation agenda.

The Department

Computing at St Catherine’s is a dynamic and forward‑looking discipline, playing a central role in equipping pupils with the skills, confidence, and critical thinking required for the modern world.

In the Lower School and early Senior School years, pupils are introduced to core concepts across Digital Literacy, IT, and Computer Science. As they progress through Years 7–9, the curriculum becomes increasingly application‑led, encouraging creativity, problem‑solving, and innovation. Diversity and inclusion are actively promoted through curriculum design, resources, and enrichment.

At GCSE and A Level, we offer OCR Computer Science, both of which are popular and highly successful, with uptake growing year on year.

The Role

The Head of Computing will provide clear, inspiring leadership across Years 7–13, working closely with senior colleagues and contributing to the strategic direction of digital learning and innovation across the School.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding teacher with a passion for Computing, a commitment to inclusive excellence, and the vision to lead the department confidently into its next phase of development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide academic and strategic leadership for Computing across the School.

• Develop and implement a challenging, coherent, and imaginative curriculum aligned with the School’s ethos and values.

• Promote reflective practice and engagement with educational research and innovative pedagogy.

• Champion enrichment, cross‑curricular initiatives, and external partnerships where appropriate.

Faculty Leadership and Management

• Line manage Computing staff, offering support, challenge, and professional guidance.

• Foster a collaborative and positive departmental culture.

• Lead recruitment, induction, and professional development within the department.

• Monitor standards through lesson observation, work scrutiny, and data analysis, ensuring consistency and high achievement.

Teaching and Learning

• Model outstanding, intellectually ambitious teaching.

• Ensure schemes of work, assessments, and resources are inclusive, well‑designed, and regularly reviewed.

• Track and support pupil progress, intervening where necessary to promote both academic success and wellbeing.

• Create a classroom culture where pupils feel confident, challenged, and encouraged to take intellectual risk.

Operational Responsibilities

• Manage the departmental budget effectively.

• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, including risk assessments and staff training.

• Contribute to whole‑school planning and reporting.

Pastoral and Co‑Curricular Contribution

• Play an active role in the pastoral life of the School

• Contribute to the co‑curricular programme through clubs, competitions, trips, or enrichment activities.

• Build strong, professional relationships with pupils, parents, and colleagues.

Person Specification

Essential

• A strong degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.

• Significant experience teaching Computing to A Level, with a record of excellent outcomes.

• Proven leadership experience, including line management.

• Proficiency in Python to support GCSE and A Level teaching.

• Evidence of curriculum development or raising academic standards.

• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

• Professional resilience, good humour, and the ability to manage pressure effectively.

• Alignment with the ethos and values of St Catherine’s School.

Desirable

• Experience in an independent or high‑performing school environment.

• Interest or experience in areas such as CAD and digital design, robotics, web or game design, esports, or other emerging technologies.

• A broader enthusiasm for innovation, partnerships, and enrichment opportunities in computing‑related fields.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary.

• A generous pension scheme.

• A strong commitment to professional development and career progression.

• Employee assistance programme.

• Use of selected school facilities.

• A beautiful working environment within a supportive and collegiate staff body.

Application Process

Applications should be completed via the link on the School’s website, by 10am, Friday 30 April. Applications should include:

• A completed application form

• A curriculum vitae (optional)

Applications will be considered on receipt and early application is encouraged.

St Catherine’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and barred list check. The School is an equal opportunities employer.