Are computer science teachers as rare as unicorns?

A prep school seeking a computing teacher says in its job advert that it’s like looking for a ‘purple spotted unicorn’
15th November 2019, 10:59am

Share

Are computer science teachers as rare as unicorns?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/are-computer-science-teachers-rare-unicorns
Teacher Shortage: Why Computing Science Teachers Are As Rare As Purple Spotted Unicorns

We know computing science teachers are rare beasts - headteachers hunt for them but rarely come away with the prize they seek - but now it has been suggested that they might actually be mythical creatures.

A small independent prep school in East Lothian, Belhaven Hill School, has caused a stir with its job advert for a computing teacher, which is headed: “Appointment of a purple spotted unicorn (or exceptional computer science teacher).”


Background: Higher computing entries fall by 21%

Related: Primary teachers ‘get away’ with not teaching computing

Opinion: How do we get more girls into computing science?


On social media, the advert is causing amusement, but the merriment is tinged with sadness.

Responding to the advert, purple spotted unicorn (or computing science teacher) Mark Tennant tweeted: “Great advert, but sums up the issue with a lack of #compsci teachers in one!”

The shortage of computer science teachers

Meanwhile, Toni Scullion - an even rarer beast, a female computing teacher  - commented: “Very sad and true”.


On exam results day this year, Tes Scotland reported that there had been a 21 per cent drop in entries for Higher computing science compared with the previous year. Responding to the news, teachers blamed - in part at least - the dire lack of computing science teachers.

Camilla Gray Muir is the chair of the Belhaven Hill School board of governors. This was the school’s first attempt to recruit a computing teacher, she said, but competition was stiff - 60 other schools were advertising similar roles.

So far, the school had received half a dozen expressions of interest in the role and she was glad the advert was making people smile, she said.  

She added: “The reality is if you have a good computing degree, it takes a pretty special person to say, ‘I have a vocation and I would like to teach young people,’ and ignore the money that can be earned in the private sector. We are completely realistic about the challenges but we are looking for someone exceptional - that’s something we won’t compromise on - and the application period, which does not end until December, reflects that.”

Ms Gray Muir explained that “purple spotted unicorn” was a tongue-in-cheek term used in the tech industry to refer to a job specification that would be tough to fill.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared