Head of Computing & Digital Strategy

The Head of Computing and Digital Strategy will provide professional leadership and management of the teaching of Computing within the School to secure high-quality teaching, effective use of resources and the highest standards of learning for all pupils.

The Head of Computing and Digital Strategy will be responsible to the Director of Studies, for the strategic development of computing and digital learning across all academic departments. This is a Head of Department’s position with a brief to spread and support appropriate computing and digital learning across the curriculum. The Head of Computing and Digital Strategy will be required to work collaboratively and effectively the Director of Studies to ensure that IT is used to its greatest effect at Davenies. High level interpersonal and communication skills are expected and the ability to enthuse teaching staff and provide leadership in the use of IT to achieve academic excellence are essential.

Objectives

▪ To lead, shape and implement a clear strategy and direction for the development of Computing and Digital learning

▪ To ensure pupils learning is of an excellent standard

▪ To raise continuously standards of pupil achievement in Computing and their personal development at all levels

▪ To ensure that Computing is a leading department in the School, with a positive profile

▪ To foster enjoyment and enthusiasm for Computing

Principal Areas of Responsibility

▪ To take full responsibility for the development and strategic direction of Computing and Digital Learning as a subject throughout the School alongside the Director of Studies

▪ To support pupils, identified by the Learning Support Department, in their acquisition of Computing and Digital skills and to implement strategies in order to meet their specific needs

▪ Teaching, learning and the curriculum

▪ To manage Computing and Digital Learning resources across the School, and oversee their effective deployment, liaising with IT Support staff as required

▪ Leading and managing colleagues who teach Computing

▪ Supporting colleagues with aspects of Digital Learning in their own practice

▪ Ensure pupil understanding and compliance of the Acceptable Use Policy, Internet Access Policy and other IT and Data Protection related policies taking into account statutory requirements and best practice in maintaining a safe environment for pupils; contribute to review and updates with regard to these policies

▪ To ensure that all health and safety requirements are met and that equipment is maintained and serviced as appropriate

▪ Contribute to the School’s developing Digital Strategy as part of the School Development Plan.

Strategic Responsibilities

Working with the Director of Studies and IT support:

▪ To advise the Senior Management Team on all matters of digital learning

▪ To evolve the vision for digital learning within the academic departments and thereby raise the awareness of staff to the potential for digital learning to facilitate improvements in teaching, learning and administration.

Key Tasks

▪ Planning and teaching Computing from EYFS through to KS3

▪ Ensuring that the Computing curriculum is delivered effectively throughout the School in a stimulating and engaging way

▪ Keeping records of pupil progress

▪ Maintaining coherent links throughout the School in the teaching of Computing

▪ Writing a Departmental Development Plan (annual) and responding to Computing-related items on the School Development Plan

▪ Maintaining and revising the Computing Handbook and schemes of work

▪ Monitoring and developing pupils’ individual achievement and development

▪ Setting, marking and moderating tests and examinations as necessary

▪ To lead the teaching of Computing by example

▪ To lead professional development in Computing

▪ To manage the Computing Department budget

▪ Arranging suitable visits and visitors to enrich the curriculum

▪ Working with Academic Departments

▪ Working with the Heads of Academic Departments (including the library):

▪ To identify needs and formulate strategies and policies for effective digital learning across the curriculum

▪ To develop and coordinate digital learning across the curriculum through a single coherent framework which delivers progression in pupils’ capability as digital learners as they advance through the school

▪ To monitor and evaluate pupil progression in digital learning

▪ To develop digital learning to enable pupils to become information literate, independent learners

▪ To ensure equality of access for pupils to digital facilities and resources which are appropriate to their needs

▪ To advise, assist in the development and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning resources to support digital learning within departments

▪ To assist departments in the development of staff/pupil intranet material and use of Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive as a library tool and collaborative working space, working in collaboration with the Director of Studies to ensure continuity across departments

▪ To advise and support the Learning Support department in implementing digital strategies for the needs of particular pupils.

Training in Digital Learning

▪ To assess and support academic staff with their digital training needs

▪ To research, plan and deliver training in digital learning and e-safety for academic staff to enable them to use these skills in their professional practice to the benefit of themselves and the pupils

▪ To negotiate digital learning development plans in consultation with individual academic staff members to drive and deliver the use of computing across the curriculum

▪ To provide digital learning induction for all new academic staff

▪ To organise appropriate courses/INSET for all academic staff in line with national requirements

▪ To assist academic staff to identify appropriate external training courses in digital learning

▪ To coordinate and utilise the expertise in digital learning amongst the existing academic staff

▪ To direct and coordinate digital learning activities, providing appropriate training as necessary

▪ To promote e-safety awareness and training in conjunction with the Head of PSHE.

Additional Duties

▪ To be a Form Teacher or Tutor as required

▪ To teach additional subjects, as required

▪ To carry out duties, as requested

▪ To offer two extra-curricular activities per week

▪ To support the annual residential trips programme

▪ To attend Parent / Teacher meetings for the classes taught

▪ To attend Staff Meetings and INSET

This role is assigned to the Teaching Pay Group: Teaching Staff and the salary will be competitive dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Benefits

▪ A generous employer contribution towards an Aviva pension scheme specifically for independent schools

▪ Death in service

▪ Critical Illness cover

▪ Sick pay provision immediately upon joining

▪ Cycle to work/Tech scheme

▪ Fee remissions are available for the children of teaching staff

▪ We are able to provide childcare voucher provisions

▪ Onsite car parking facilities are available

▪ We place great emphasis on staff wellbeing and morale and we firmly believe in work/life balance for everyone at Davenies. Social events for staff take place throughout the year

▪ Our talented catering team ensures that staff enjoy complimentary healthy and balanced meals every day

▪ Davenies branded fleece