Computer Science Lead Practitioner - Victoria

Welcome to Ada!

We are the National College for Digital Skills, established in 2016 as the first new Further Education College in England since 1993. Our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent, and our values of Rigour, Resilience, Creativity, Curiosity and Collaboration sit at the heart of what we do and how we go about our work. We seek to harness tech as a positive tool for social mobility and improve the gender and ethnic diversity of the tech workforce.

We are a small, specialist college with sixth form students and apprentices on roll at present but with plans now well underway to grow to more learners by December 2025 across our two fantastic new city centre hub campuses in London (Pimlico) and Manchester (Ancoats).

We stand apart from other Colleges due to:

● The quality of teaching, learning and assessment of computer science and related subjects

● Our fantastic progression outcomes for our learners

● The breadth and depth of our industry partnerships

● Our focus on outreach and learner diversity, especially those from more disadvantaged backgrounds

● Our high support, high expectations culture for staff and learners

We received ‘Good’, with Outstanding features, in our first Ofsted inspection in October 2018 and again in March 2023.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring outstanding teacher of Computer Science (Computing), ready to lead and further develop a strong and talented team of sixth form computer science teachers at Ada.

The successful candidate will have strong academic credentials, a proven record of outstanding teaching and experience in or a demonstrated understanding of the tech industry that you will bring to the College.

You will share the mission of the College which is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent and as such you will work with our industry partners to help deliver an education that enables all our students, especially women and those from low-income backgrounds, to progress into highly skilled digital roles and lead flourishing lives.

You will lead the department’s teachers in an experienced computer science team to develop and deliver Ada’s computer science curriculum in an innovative and engaging way that embodies the beliefs and values of the College; to put real world industry involvement at the heart of our curriculum, and to ensure our students continue to achieve outstanding outcomes and progression.

You will teach on the BTEC Nationals (RQF) Level 3 Computing programme leading units suited to your individual expertise and will help teach, develop and shape our new curriculum as we incorporate the T-Level Digital Production, Design and Development course alongside our core BTEC Level 3 Computing courses in the coming year.

At Ada, you will work in a fast-paced environment with an aspirational group of teachers and students who are highly passionate about computing and digital skills. Our ambition is to continue to grow our student volumes as our reputation grows while maintaining the high quality and unique nature of our cohort.

The position is ideal for an experienced Level 3 (BTEC and/or A-Level) Computer Science teacher looking to progress in their teaching career by taking on additional leadership responsibilities while remaining a focussed subject specialist classroom teacher.

Main Duties and Responsibilities are detailed in the attached JD

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualifications and Experience

● Degree level qualification in a relevant subject

● Qualified teacher status (QTS) / PGCE / Lecturer qualification (QTLS)

● Delivery of Computer Science/ Computing at Level 3 with an excellent track record of results

● Pastoral experience with KS4 or post 16 students.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

● Knowledge of industry, ideally the tech sector, and ideas of how to invigorate the curriculum by harnessing industry’s challenges and ways of working

● Experience in leading aspects of BTEC provision

● Experience of leading teams within an educational context and evidence of a positive and sustained impact

● Leadership and implementation of effective intervention programmes at a department/year/school or college wide level that had a proven impact on results

● Leadership of a range of school/college wide initiatives with evidence of impact

● Experience of coaching and developing teachers and/or support staff to help them improve their practise.

Leadership and Management – the ability to demonstrate:

● Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every student

● An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations.

● Clear strategies for establishing consistently high standards of results and behaviour and a commitment to relentlessly instilling these.

● An effective leadership style that inspires confidence in those you lead and encourages others to participate in going above and beyond.

● Versatility to adapt your leadership style in circumstances where an alternative approach is needed.

● A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes.

● An ability to give feedback in a constructive and challenging way.

● An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive in successfully marketing the college in the community.

● Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.

● Strong organisational skills which includes the ability to delegate, prioritise and use effective time management.

● Resilience and motivation to stay positive and focus on key priorities during times of challenge.

● Confidence and effective presentation skills during assemblies, parents and carers events and other public speaking opportunities.

● A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours.

Safeguarding

Ada, National College for Digital Skill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references will be sought from previous employers prior to commencing employment. Other related pre-employment checks appropriate to the post will also be carried out.

Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. 

Applicants with disabilities

Ada is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact

HR@ada.ac.uk

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Next Steps

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis based on receipt of applications and the closing date is 09.00 on 10th May 2024.

Thank you for your interest in the role and good luck with your application!