Teacher of Computer Science / ICT

Salary Scale: Main Scale - UPS

Required from 1^st September 2023

Context

Computer Science/ICT at Wirral Grammar School for Boys is a department of two staff. Each member of the Department is a specialist teacher in Computer Science/ICT. There are five Computer Science/ICT classrooms, and all have interactive screens. Three occupy rooms within the newest section of the school.  

Boys are currently taught a two-year KS3 programme of study. However, this is changing this year with students currently in Y8, completing a further year in Key Stage 3; they will opt at the end of Year 9. In KS3, they are taught in mixed-ability classes and have two one-hour lessons per fortnight.

Computer Science is a popular option at Key Stage 4. Currently, there are two groups in Year 11, with 32 of students opting for this course. In addition, there are 23 students taking our CNAT in Information Technologies. In Year 10, we have 53 students taking Computer Science and there are 56 taking the course in Year 9. For CNAT ICT, we have classes in Y9 and in Y10. Students at KS4 have four lessons per cycle. We intend to increase this to 5 hours per cycle in 2024. Our focus is on maximising pupils’ attainment in relation to their KS2 starting point. All pupils are entered for the higher tier papers.

In the Computer Science/ICT Department hard work, and the teaching of Computer Science/ICT by specialist staff, has allowed us to gain nearly 100% average GCSE Computer Science/ICT pass rate over the last three years (Grade 4 or higher). In the last academic year, 45% of our candidates achieved Grades 7 to 9 (with 21% gaining 8 or 9). We are committed to improving standards in the Department and the successful candidate will be expected to take a role in ensuring that we continue to provide the best possible education.

There is significant extra-curricular activity in Computer Science/ICT. Competitions and events provide excellent extension opportunities for our pupils. We regularly have students qualifying for the latter stages of external competitions. The department takes its responsibility of providing first-class teaching seriously and we take every opportunity to ensure that our candidates achieve the highest possible grades.

This year, we have over 11 students studying Computer Science in Year 12. In Year 13, we have 8 students studying A Level Computer Science. The current Year 11 students have opted and we have double figure cohort sizes for this group. We are always reviewing our curriculum options and would like the successful candidate develop the offer, utilising their training and experience; we are open to new and refreshing challenges.

It would be beneficial if the successful candidate could contribute to the accomplishments of the Department and either be able to immediately teach the subject to this level or be committed to preparing themselves to be able to teach to this level in the near future. 

Department Accommodation:

• Five dedicated modern teaching rooms
• One staff office

Core Purposes of this role

The core purposes are:

• To contribute to raising standards of student attainment in computer science and ICT.
• To monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a teacher of computer science and ICT.
• To teach Computer Science and ICT to all levels (KS3/4 and KS5, A-Level, GCSE, CNAT Cambridge National Certificate), as required by the Head of Computer Science/ICT.
• To facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides students with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential in computer science and ICT.
• To implement and deliver an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students in computer science and ICT.
• To assist in the development of appropriate syllabuses, resources, schemes of work, marking policies and teaching strategies in the learning area.
• To assess pupils’ work on a frequent and regular basis so that progress and learning over time can be evidenced.
• Responsibility for the tracking, monitoring and intervention of those pupils taught.
• Providing a lead on the development of resource materials appropriate for the needs of the pupils.
• Applying and managing the assessment, target-setting and monitoring arrangements that are required by all members of staff.
• Contributing to opportunities for the extra-curricular enrichment of Computer Science and ICT teaching through lunch-time activities, visits, competitions and partnerships etc.
• Being accountable to the Head of Computer Science/ ICT for the attainment and achievement of pupils.

Roles associated with a UPS teacher

• To take a lead in the sharing of professional practice both within the department and with staff outside the department.
• A commitment to developing materials / resources within the department for use by others as required by the Subject Leader.
• To act a role model in supporting junior colleagues in the development of their professional practice.

Skills/Competencies required

• A well-qualified teacher of Computer Science / ICT – degree in Computer Science, ICT or a relevant subject.
• An individual who is passionate about Computer Science / ICT and promotes enthusiasm and interest for the subject so that students are motivated to learn and make good progress.
• Expertise in planning the progression of subject skills within individual and across sequences of lessons.
• High standard of written and verbal communication.
• Ability to differentiate resources to meet the needs of all students effectively.
• A high level of ICT competency; an ability to use ICT effectively in planning and teaching.
• Ability to work within a team of well-qualified and highly professional individuals.
• Fully familiar with the use and application of assessment data for the purpose of target setting, pupil mentoring and evaluation of performance.

Application process

The closing date is Friday 24^th March 2023 at noon, with interviews taking place week commencing 27^th March 2023.

In your application you should include the following:

• Completed Application Form
• A letter of application in which you address the following using each as a separate heading:

• My experience to date
• Why I want to be a Teacher of Maths at Wirral Grammar School for Boys
• My approach to being a team player
• What my priorities would be if I was appointed
• What I would have achieved at the end of my first year
• Recruitment Monitoring form

Successful shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, however, if you have not heard from us within one week of the closing date, please assume that this particular application has been unsuccessful.

Feedback is always offered to candidates who attend for interview but who are not appointed.  We regret that we are unable to give feedback where applicants are not shortlisted to attend for interview; this is due to the large number of applications that we receive.

Applications together with all supporting documentation (as indicated in the application process above) should be emailed to recruitment@wirralgrammarboys.com