Teacher of Computing and IT

Main purpose of the job

The post holder is required to fulfil the professional responsibilities which are common to all classroom teachers in the school, as outlined in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. These detail the professional and particular duties required of teachers, together with requirements for management time, working time, guaranteed planning and preparation time. The school complies with these requirements in order to make reasonable demands of teachers.

In particular the post holder’s key responsibilities will be for improving the standards of learning and raising levels of student achievement for all students in their care.

Main accountabilities

The post holder will be expected to match the characteristics described in the Professional Standards for Teachers, as appropriate to his/her career stage, and will be required to exercise his/her professional skills and judgement to carry out, in a collaborative manner, the professional duties set out below:-

Making an impact on the educational progress of students beyond those directly assigned.

• To promote the general progress and well being of all students reporting concerns to the appropriate staff member

• To provide guidance and advice to students on educational and social matters

• To ensure that students experience an educational programme that is personalised to their particular needs, developing their skills and abilities

• To actively contribute to the review, evaluation and development of effective Programmes of Study, Schemes of Work, teaching materials, methods of teaching and methods of assessment in line with

• school and national policy

• To actively promote relevant subject related activities to promote students’ enthusiasm and interest

• To ensure that lessons are appropriately planned, delivered and reviewed

• To be actively involved in interventions to raise student achievement & attainment across the curriculum area

• To assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of students in line with school policy

• To monitor and review student progress against targets, ensuring appropriate follow-up action

• To ensure positive  behaviour  for  learning  for  all  students  in  line  with  the  school’s  behaviour

• management policy

• To work to foster a positive working environment in the curriculum area that supports students’

• learning

• To provide an effective role model for students in terms of your own professional practice

The Computing Department

The Computing Department currently consists of two full-time members of staff. The department is hard-working and committed to raising students’ achievement; promoting digital and communication skills and encouraging students to be effective learners.

The department is based in a suite of purpose built rooms; there is also a planning office which houses additional resources and the technicians are based here as well. Within the department there is a range of talent and expertise. We offer a range of courses including Computer Science GCSE, BTEC ICT and at present GCSE Business Studies. In addition, the department runs Code Club and was involved in the National BBC Microbit project.

We are currently looking at developing our computing and digital learning team as there is a desire for the subject area from our students. 

Our current computing curriculum intent

‘I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them’. Isaac Asimov

‘I believe that at the end of the century the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted’. Alan Turing

Use and understanding of computers gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. Can you solve problems? Are you a computational thinker? Do you have a scientific and mathematical way of thinking?  Computers are changing every part of our lives at an ever increasing rate – why not drive the future? 

The digital sector is a major source of employment in the UK, with 1.46 million people working in digital companies and around 45,000 digital jobs advertised at any one time. Digital skills span all industries; almost all jobs in the UK today require employees to have a good level of digital literacy. The UK has positioned itself to be the ‘digital capital of Europe’ as it continues to invest billions every year in digital skills and commerce. We wish for our young people to be take their place in and to help shape this changing digital landscape in the future.

The current curriculum structure

Throughout Years 7 & 8 students are taught computing in rotation with the Technology department. We have a varied, flexible and challenging curriculum that covers assessment objectives, but which also prepares students for both Computing and ICT learning pathways. In addition students also complete progress tests in order to measure progress and set targets for the following year. The programme of study covers all National Curriculum requirements and also includes a Digital Safety unit to ensure that all students are aware of how to be safe and responsible when using digital technology. Over the last few years there has been a real excitement over the development of Computing, and we believe that there will be a strong cohort opting for the subject at Key Stage 4. 

As a school students opt at the end of Year 8, which enables them to focus their studies in more depth as they start Year 9.  In this way subject areas are able to ensure that students have a year to help build additional knowledge and study skills as they start transition onto the Key Stage 4 courses.  Traditionally we have offered both Computing and Business focuses courses at this point, and this is supported by two Deputy Headteachers who also are specialist IT and Business teachers. 

The school has 6 IT suites, all of which have either multi-media projectors or interactive whiteboards and all rooms have networked computers.  

There is the opportunity to link with other departments and with other teams in the school to development enrichment and community projects.