Dunottar School - Teacher of Computer Science

The Department

Computer Science is a growing department and a popular subject at GCSE and A Level. The department has a new dedicated computer science suite equipped with Windows desktop computers and a bespoke robotics table to allow students to work collaboratively while studying robotics. All students and teachers have their own iPads which are used extensively across the school. 

The department has a strong track record of success and has achieved excellent results at both GCSE and A Level, as well as obtaining very high valued scores. Our students enjoy studying the subject at Dunottar and in the last four years two thirds of our A Level Computer Science students have gone on to study the subject further at University.

We have students taking the OCR A Level and GCSE Computer Science courses, in addition to a full KS3 computing curriculum. Our main programming language is Python so experience of this is essential. Alongside this, familiarity with HTML and CSS, JavaScript, LMC and SQL would be an advantage.

Computer Science is offered in the lower school to Years 7 to 9 and students receive approximately three hours of lessons per fortnight. Students study a wide range of topics designed to give them a chance to develop computational thinking skills as well as a broader awareness of current technology and its applications. 

We are fortunate to be well resourced and have class sets of microbits, Sphero robots and Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots which are all used in lessons. The robots are used regularly in preparation for the First Lego League Competition which we have entered for the past five years.

The Role

We are looking to employ an inspirational Computer Science teacher from January, April or September 2025. This is a full-time position although we would consider applications from candidates looking for part-time hours. The role would be suitable for an experienced teacher, an early career teacher or someone who has just gained their PGCE/QTS. The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for computer science and a desire to inspire this in others. As well as offering opportunities for pupils to develop, the successful candidate will show an enthusiasm for their own professional development and will wish to contribute to the school’s rich co-curricular programme.

Enrichment

We have a thriving Lego Robotics co-curricular club which is very popular amongst a range of year groups. The main focus for the club is for our teams to take part in the annual First Lego League competition; we have been successful in winning a place to compete in the UK National Finals for two years, as well as being awarded other team trophies for winning robot games.

In addition to the core curriculum, we offer opportunities to enhance students’ experiences through visits to various companies; past trips have included visits to ASOS and Google, and a Cybersecurity department at a local financial organisation. We are keen to make links to future opportunities and invite companies into school, for example running a technology workshop or speaking with students during digital careers events. 

The successful candidate will share our passion for developing the work of the department and contributing to good practice. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular program at the school, both during the working week and some weekends.

 Key Responsibilities

• Enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and to make good progress according to their ability to increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subject being taught.
• Display evidence of well-planned lessons, and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time.
• Show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and that these have been taken into account when planning lessons.
• Display a high level of knowledge and understanding by the teacher of the subject matter being taught, and communicate this enthusiastically to students.
• Employ an excellent range of teaching strategies, high-quality resources and activities, thus enabling all students to fulfil their academic potential.
• Ensure that marking of pupil work is both regular and thorough and that full records are kept in line with the Assessment, Recording and Reporting Statement.
• Ensure that pupil assessment is used to inform lesson planning so pupils can make progress, and evaluate pupil performance both in terms of the school’s stated aims and national norms.
• Use effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging students to act responsibly.
• Have high expectations of students.
• Create a stimulating and positive learning environment.
• Keep abreast of current thinking and development in relevant subject area(s).
• Assist the Head of Department with the development of appropriate specifications, schemes of work and teaching styles.
• Share resources and training materials with colleagues.
• Work with other members of the department to ensure that all resources are well looked after and that departmental areas provide a stimulating environment for teaching.
• Contribute to departmental activities, e.g. enrichment work, clubs, societies and trips
• Provide or contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils.
• Attend Parents’ Evenings.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings when required.
• Be involved in a House, attend House meetings and support House events.
• Take part in one or more co-curricular activity.
• Attend and support assemblies and co-curricular events e.g. concerts, plays.
• Pastoral Care is the responsibility of all members of teaching staff at Dunottar, staff must:

      o Contribute to the pastoral care and personal development of pupils.

      o Report any pastoral concerns to the Head of Section or in serious circumstances the Deputy Head Pastoral.

      o Be fully conversant with the Child Protection policy and report any concerns or allegations to the Senior Designated Person.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the post holder may perform other duties reasonably required by the Headmaster. The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage during the recruitment process.