Head of Computer Science & Digital Strategy Lead

Start date: January 2024

Location: Ark Alexandra Academy, Hastings, East Sussex

Salary: Ark Outside London Main/Upper Pay Scales: £28,704 to £45,437 + TLR 2B £5,023

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 9am on Tuesday 28 November 2023 – we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close early depending on the level of response

Considering making a move to Hastings? We are able to offer relocation allowances of up to £3,000 to support you with the process.

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

The successful candidate will be directly accountable to the Head of Business Studies & Economics and will help develop a vision for the Computer Science department and a curriculum to run through the whole academy.

All students within the academy are issued a Chromebook for use inside lessons and at home.  As Digital Strategy Lead, the successful candidate will communicate to parents the Acceptable Use policy and contracts associated with this, monitor the device register, safe use and repair and return when required. This is supported by the Digital Learning Strategy Network Lead.

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.

We hope to expand the department in the coming year to allow opportunities for students to continue the subject into sixth form.

For more information regarding our facilities and the role, please read the job description and person specification in the information pack you can download from here.

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 two-campus secondary academy with a Sixth Form provision in Hastings, East Sussex and is the largest secondary with 6th form in the Ark network. A popular school, we have grown to have over 1,600 students this year. We work across a split site which brings with it unique opportunities for growth and development. At our most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2021, Leadership & Management, Behaviour & Attitudes, Personal Development and Sixth Form were all judged to be Good.  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.

As a Church of England school, our values of faith, excellence and kindness underpin our ethos, culture and behaviour. 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

How to apply:

Please click ‘apply’ on the website you are visiting or visit www.arkalexandra.org/jobs/vacancies to complete an online application form by 9am on Tuesday 31 October 2023, however we will 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. Please note that due to Safer Recruitment guidelines, we do not accept CVs.

If you’re interested in further information about our school, please refer to the application button present at the bottom of this vacancy or to find out more about Ark Schools, please download and read Why Join an Ark School? from here.

If you have any questions about the role or to arrange an informal visit, please refer to the application button present at the bottom of this vacancy.

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 click this link.