Head of Business & Computer Science

Start date: January 2025

Location: Ark Alexandra, Hastings, East Sussex

Salary: Ark Outside London Main/Upper Pay Scale: £30,570 to £48,390 plus TLR 2B: £5,350 (this does not include any cost of living pay award for 2024/25) + up to £5k relocation package

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 9.00 am on Friday 01 November 2024 

The school reserves the right to withdraw this advert if a suitable candidate is appointed before the closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment. 

We are looking for a proactive and inspiring Head of Business & Computer Science to oversee the subjects for Ark Alexandra. We recognise that digital literacy is an important lifelong skill which we are looking to develop for all of our students.

Within Business studies students follow the GCSE Edexcel curriculum. KS3 students are introduced to enterprise within whole school drop-down days, and as part of the extensive enrichment programme.  

Our Computer Science curriculum at KS3 challenges students in their understanding of HTML, Programming and Graphics, allowing students to investigate and explore computer science from Year 7 to Year 9. Students in Year 10 are given the opportunity to choose GCSE computer science as an option subject, where we follow the GCSE OCR curriculum.

The department is well resourced and there are ICT suites on both campuses, in addition to all students having their own allocated personal chrome book. 

For more information please read the job description and person specification in the information pack available for download.

We’re looking for an individual who:

• Can combine subject expertise with a passion for securing the highest outcomes
• Is able to communicate effectively with students of all abilities
• Has the commitment, skills and character required to build a successful department
• Shares the Ark Alexandra Academy vision and be aligned with the six pillars underpinning it
• Is a great teacher themselves. We are looking for a leader who really knows what great learning looks like in the classroom and how to achieve it.

Our school:

Ark Alexandra is a large secondary academy in Hastings, East Sussex and is the largest secondary in the successful Ark network. A popular school, we have grown to have over 1,500 students this year.

Our school is on an exciting rapid upward trajectory. Ark Alexandra operates as one school across two 6FE campuses. This creates the dual benefit of working within a small school family setting, whilst providing unique opportunities for growth, development and career opportunities that exist in a large school model. We continuously strive to maintain and further develop a safe, calm and purposeful environment, in which all children feel happy, secure and respected.

We take a traditional and research-based approach to education with primacy placed on cognitive science, scholarship and what the best schools do. We are a no-nonsense school where staff can focus their efforts on teaching great lessons. Our focus on extra-curricular activities including DofE, Cadets and reward trips ensures our students benefit from a range of exciting opportunities.  

Ark Alexandra works closely with our feeder primary schools, Ark Blacklands, Ark Little Ridge and Ark Castledown, all of which have exceptional leadership graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, with Blacklands and Little Ridge being graded Outstanding in all areas.

As a Church of England school, our values of faith, excellence and kindness underpin everything that we do. We have an inclusive admissions policy that welcomes, without preference, students of all faith and none. Our vision is to create a truly great school for the young people in Hastings. We believe that everyone deserves to be accepted, included, and empowered to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.

What we offer:  

• Salary higher than the national pay scales  
• Twice as many training days as standard and network-wide events with Ark colleagues, held by the best minds in education  
• Weekly staff training designed to meet the needs of the school  
• Coaching for every teacher  
• Protected co-planning time  
• Access to the high-quality, professional development, including nationally recognised qualifications such as the NPQML and NPQSL  
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network  

At Ark Alexandra in Hastings, we are committed to helping staff with relocation. In addition to offering up to £5,000 we can help you make a smooth transition into our school and sea-side community. We recognise the challenges of moving to a new area, and as such we offer:

• Information on local housing options, and connections to good property agents
• Advise on school enrolment for staff members' children
• Additionally, we foster a welcoming environment by connecting new employees with existing staff members who can offer guidance on settling into the community of Hastings.

The school's commitment to supporting the relocation process reflects our dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for all staff members. 

How to apply:

Please click 'apply' on the website you are visiting to complete an online application form. 

Please note: we are unable to accept applications via CV. We will also be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly encouraged. You will be able to pause, save and log back in to complete your application up until the vacancy closes.

If you’re interested in further information about our school, please visit our website – www.arkalexandra.org or to find out more about Ark Schools, please read Why Join an Ark School? from available for download from the application website.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role or an informal visit, please contact HR on ALEHR@arkalexandra.org   

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please download the information pack.