Head of Computer Science

Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies have gone from strength to strength since joining United Learning in August 2019, with Avonbourne Boys’ achieving an OUTSTANDING Ofsted rating in our inspection in November 2023 and Avonbourne Girls’ being graded OUTSTANDING in all categories in our October 2024 inspection!

We wish to grow our Computer Science department. The Computer Science curriculum is currently taught in years 7-9, but we want to grow this to GCSE and A Level. So many of our students are passionate about Computer Science and wish to study this to a qualification level. The appointed candidate will devise our new curriculum and courses offered to students. This is an opportunity to make lasting generational change, and we will support the new Head of Department to make Avonbourne a centre of excellence across the south coast for Computer Science.

The academies are part of United Learning, a large and growing group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England. The academies benefit from working closely with The Cornerstone, Glenmoor, Winton and United Sixth Form Academies, as part of the United Learning Bournemouth and Poole cluster. We work as a team and achieve more, by sharing, than any single school could.

We are values-driven and our vision is to provide excellent education so that all young people are able to make a success of their lives. Our most important purpose is to teach young people things they would not learn outside school which empower them. Our mission is to bring out ‘the best in everyone’. We are unapologetically ambitious for every child, no matter what their background, prior attainment or needs. We also believe in ‘Education with Character’ – we want young people to look back on a schooling that has inspired and challenged them, given them wide opportunity and prepared them for the ups and downs of life.

We value our staff highly, and treat workload very seriously. Our systems are high leverage, ensuring you can really focus on your core purpose – teaching, in a sustainable way, unhindered by bureaucracy or poor behaviour.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate will be:

·        An excellent Teacher of Computer Science who will play an important role in establishing Computer Science in our academies

·        Ideally have the following knowledge:

• Coding experience at GCSE level
• Experience of teaching KS3 and KS4
• Experience of teaching A Level Computer Science

·        Aligned to our values and mission. If you are the type of person who fits with our culture, you will love working here.

We actively welcome visits and would be delighted to show you around our Academies to fully appreciate our excellent learning environment.

What we offer:

·        An exceptional salary, above the maintained sector.

·        One personal day every academic year. 

·        Access to our health care cash plan and rewards scheme after six months service. 

·        Over 250 employee exclusive benefits through our partners, Perkbox, including access to discounted cinema tickets, holidays and gym memberships, car leasing and Cycle2work schemes. 

·        Disruption-free learning and a ‘warm-strict’ behaviour system.

·        Collaborative planning with centralised, shared units of work and resources.

·        Opportunity to teach up to A Level.

·        A feedback policy focused on whole class feedback  – no onerous marking policies.

·        A centralised homework system at KS3 – you do not need to mark KS3 homework.

·        Centralised detentions, including homework detentions (you do not need to organise/run/chase them at all).

·        No formal graded lesson observations – just ongoing ‘no-stakes’ feedback, helping you to continuously develop.

·        Excellent ongoing CPD, career development and promotion opportunities across the United Learning Bournemouth and Poole academy cluster.

·        Up to 9 INSET days per year, dedicated to subject knowledge development and planning/resource development.

·        An unrivalled professional progression model to enable great teachers to remain in the classroom via our Lead Practitioner (LP) and Specialist Leaders of Education (SLE) routes and/or progression routes to middle and senior leadership.

·        A very pleasant location in beautiful Dorset.

Avonbourne Academies are an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor a VISA application for this particular role as it is not one of the shortage occupations listed on the UK Governments website at this current time.  

Note – We reserve the right to interview and offer to a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their application as soon as possible.

For more information

To apply, please complete the online application form.

For more information about this role or to arrange a visit please contact:

recruitment@avonbourneacademy.org.uk

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 15th December 2024