Head of Media Studies

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to lead our ever-growing media team. We are looking for someone who is passionate about media; teaching engaging lessons which will permit students to appreciate the importance of the subject and develop the evolving skills they need for life.

The media department is well-resourced with its own dedicated media suite of computers fully equipped with editing software and Impero to help aid teaching in lessons. We have a plethora of video cameras, Canon and Nikon cameras and access to a photography studio, green screen, sound equipment and filters to support creativity in the practical elements of the courses we offer. The department is also fortunate enough to have an administration assistant to help resourcing as we regularly invest in resources to enhance the curriculum and student learning experience. To add to the excellent facilities, the department benefits from close links with the English team.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach across years 10 to year 13. They will also be in a unique position to contribute to existing resources but also help shape the KS4 curriculum as our current year 11 cohort are the first to complete the GCSE course. We are a popular subject with a high uptake at KS4 and many of our KS5 students continue their studies in media after leaving The Westgate School. We currently have an ex-student return to the school to focus on a role in digital marketing as a result of nurturing their interest in the subject.

The media department offers a range of extracurricular activities which have included a workshop and behind the scenes tour of the Harry Potter studies, talks held by those currently working in the industry and work experience offered to students at Pinewood studios. These opportunities support our students in making choices and gaining experience ready for their next steps and develop our team’s skillset. Our school is on the outskirts of Slough Trading Estate, one of Europe’s largest, and puts us in a unique position to be able to collaborate with several multinational companies based there. These enrichment opportunities for further add value to our students’ learning experience.

Continual professional development within the school and department is excellent and as a result, opportunities to mentor less experienced colleagues are available for the right candidate. In addition, the Westgate School strongly encourages colleagues to participate on the NPQ scheme and collaborates with other secondary schools in Slough because our department is regularly used as a benchmark for outstanding practice. 

The Westgate School is heavily oversubscribed and our Sixth Form continues to expand due to the strong reputation our school has within Berkshire and the local community. We believe that #betterneverstops and are continuing to make our school not only an ‘Outstanding’ place to learn, but an amazing place to work. 

As part of our commitment to driving positive change, we are overstaffing in each department and giving our teaching staff additional PPA to ensure that they have more time to invest in our students’ learning, are afforded the time and space to continue their professional development and maintain a healthy work/life balance. Consequently, we are looking for talented individuals to enhance the quality of education at our school. 

For further information please refer to the attached application information and we would also strongly encourage visits to the school, to see why The Westgate School is an outstanding school. Please email Mrs Venturini on sv@westgate.slough.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

We look forward to receiving your application for our vacancy.

We reserve the right to interview prior to the closing date if suitable applications are received. You will only be contacted if you are successful in our shortlisting process.