Teacher of Computer Science

Dunottar is a co-educational school for pupils aged 11-18 set in extensive grounds of 15 acres on the outskirts of Reigate. Under the Headship of Mark Tottman, the school is on a very exciting journey having recently won the prestigious Education Business Award for the ‘Outstanding Progress – UK Independent Schools’ category 2019. Dunottar is experiencing fast growth in pupil numbers and to accommodate this expansion, we have recently completed a £6.6 million capital development programme to build a new Sixth Form Centre and Assembly Hall/Performing Arts Centre. 

Dunottar is a great place to work, with a team of highly professional and committed teachers and support staff. We incorporate best practice from independent schools and academies right across the United Learning Group, whilst retaining our unique, friendly ethos in Reigate where pupils are nurtured to make significant personal progress at the same time as achieving excellent academic results. United Learning is an outstanding organisation which prides itself on providing a working and learning environment which encourages ‘the best in everyone’. You will join a network of staff belonging to 90 other schools, with opportunities to engage with fellow professionals which far exceed what one school could achieve on its own. Personal development and career opportunities are excellent. 

THE ROLE 

We are looking to employ an inspirational teacher from September 2022 or January 2023. This is a full-time position although we would consider applications from candidates looking for part-time hours. The role would be suitable for an experienced teacher, a newly qualified teacher or PGCE/QTS. The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for computer science and a desire to inspire this in others. As well as offering opportunities for pupils to develop, the successful candidate will show an enthusiasm for their own professional development and will wish to contribute to the school’s rich co-curricular programme. 

THE DEPARTMENT 

Computer Science is a growing department and a popular subject at GCSE and A level. The department has a dedicated computer science suite equipped with Windows desktop computers. All students and teachers have their own iPads which are used extensively across the school.  

We are fortunate to be well resourced and have class sets of microbits, Sphero robots and Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots which are all used in lessons. 

Planning is well underway for our new computing suite for the academic year 2022-23. 

THE CURRICULUM 

We have students taking the OCR A Level and GCSE Computer Science courses, in addition to a full KS3 computing curriculum, and our main programming language is Python. 

Computer Science is offered in the lower school to Years 7 to 9. From September 2022 students will receive approximately 3 hours of lessons per fortnight.  

Students study a wide range of topics designed to give them a chance to develop computational thinking skills as well as a broader awareness of current technology and its applications.  

ENRICHMENT 

We have a thriving Lego Robotics co-curricular club. The main focus for the club is for our teams to take part in the annual First Lego League competition; we have been successful in winning a place to compete in the UK National Finals for the last two years. 

In addition to the core curriculum, we offer opportunities to enhance students’ experiences through visits to various companies; past trips have included to Google’s London office and a Cybersecurity department at a local financial organisation. We are keen to make links to future opportunities and invite companies into school, for example running a technology workshop or speaking with students during digital careers events. We are passionate about encouraging more female students to pursue a career in technology and are focussed on developing this within the department. 

The successful candidate will share our passion for developing the work of the department and contributing to good practice. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular program at the school, both during the working week and some weekends. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and to make good progress according to their ability to increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subject being taught.  
• Display evidence of well-planned lessons, and effective teaching methods, activities, and management of class time. 
• Show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and that these have been taken into account when planning lessons.  
• Display a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught, and communicate this enthusiastically to students. 
• Employ an excellent range of teaching strategies, high-quality resources and activities, thus enabling all students to fulfil their academic potential. 
• Ensure that marking of pupils’ work is both regular and thorough and that full records are kept in line with the Assessment, Recording and Reporting Statement. 
• Ensure that pupil assessment is used to inform lesson planning so pupils can make progress, and evaluate pupil performance both in terms of the school’s stated aims and national norms. 
• Use effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging students to act responsibly. 
• Have high expectations of students. 
• Create a stimulating and positive learning environment.  
• Keep abreast of current thinking and development in the relevant subject area. 
• Assist the Head of Department with the development of appropriate schemes of work. 
• Share resources and training materials with colleagues.  
• Contribute to departmental activities, e.g. enrichment work, clubs, societies and trips. 
• Provide or contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils. 
• Attend Parents’ Evenings. 
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings when required. 
• Be involved in a House, attend House meetings and support House events. 
• Take part in the co-curricular life of the school. 
• Attend and support assemblies and co-curricular events e.g. concerts, plays. 
• Pastoral care is the responsibility of all members of teaching staff at Dunottar, staff must contribute to the pastoral care and personal development of pupils. 
• Be fully conversant with the Child Protection policy and report any concerns or allegations to the Senior Designated Person. 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the post holder may perform other duties reasonably required by the Headmaster. 

The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage during the recruitment process.