Director of Computer Science

Ark; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training days

Wellbeing break

Wellbeing Wednesdays

On-site gym

Ark Rewards

Interest-free loans

Gym discounts

Job summary

Ark Victoria Academy seeks an ambitious Director of Computer Science to lead the delivery of an outstanding CS curriculum from KS3 to KS4. You will promote high-quality teaching, drive uptake at GCSE, and work with Ark networks to develop AI materials for educators.

You will join an experienced senior leadership team and receive coaching, professional development, and opportunities to shape the CS strategy across the academy.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a Computer Science curriculum in a secondary setting.
• Evidence of improving student outcomes in CS or related subjects.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills to drive school-wide excellence.

Responsibilities

• Be instrumental in providing every student a great education and real choices in life, regardless of background.
• Deliver high-quality, rigorous CS lessons that drive achievement and inspire a love of learning beyond the classroom.
• Plan and teach well-structured, differentiated CS lessons aligned to the prescribed curriculum and cultivate intellectual curiosity.

Job description

About The Role

If you are ready to add further value to our fantastic Computer Science Department and to work alongside a brilliant school leadership team, then you will find this job extremely rewarding.

Computer Science is a key strategic subject at Ark Victoria Academy. We are seeking an ambitious curriculum leader who is passionate about technology, innovation and widening participation in computing.

As Director of Computer Science, you will develop, lead and manage the effective delivery of an outstanding curriculum, which enables the highest level of student progress and attainment in Computer Science. You will promote outstanding teaching and learning and a strong school culture within a nurturing and rigorous environment.

You will be a fantastic motivator and will inspire students to achieve and exceed grades. You will be aligned to Ark’s high aspirations and expectations for pupils and staff and have demonstrable evidence of improving outcomes.

Our values mean a great deal to us and underpin all that we do, and so it is important that you champion Ark Victoria’s pledge of being Ambitious, Resilient and Kind as well as living by the Ark ethos and six pillars that enable us to achieve our mission.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Computer Science across the academy, increase student uptake at GCSE, develop enrichment opportunities, and work alongside an experienced senior leadership team that is committed to investing in the subject. In addition, you will be part of our Network programmes on digital innovation, working with BCS and the Ark network to develop materials to support educators with AI usage in schools.

Whether you are an existing Head of Department or an exceptional practitioner ready for your first leadership role, we will provide the coaching, support and professional development needed to help you succeed.

About our Computer Science Department

• Computer Science taught from KS3 to KS4
• Dedicated specialist teaching rooms
• Strong behaviour and routines allowing teachers to focus on learning
• Access to Ark subject networks and curriculum resources
• Commitment from senior leaders to grow the subject and improve uptake

The successful candidate will:

• be instrumental in our mission to provide every student a great education and real choices in life, regardless of their background
• be a passionate practitioner, delivering high-quality, rigorous lessons that drive achievement and inspire a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom
• plan and teach well-structured, differentiated lessons that are aligned to the agreed curriculum and cultivate every student's intellectual curiosity

Benefits

Why work for our school?

We value our staff and provide a comprehensive programme of coaching and professional development for all our staff. We use our values and our virtue pathways to shape the way we work and learn together. Hear what our teachers have to say about working at Ark Victoria Academy: https://arkvictoria.org/jobs/working-for-us

• We take CPD seriously, which is why we offer twice the number of training days as standard
• Wellbeing is a key focus here and our school will be taking advantage of a 2-week break for October half term
• Our school’s ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ are a great hit – get in touch to find out more
• Our staff can take advantage of our on-site fitness suite
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering up to £1,000 a year in savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest‑free loans of up to £5,000 available for season tickets or a bicycles
• Gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/

About Us

Ark Victoria Academy provides pupils with an excellent education through an ambitious curriculum, personal development and character programme, and an extensive student experience and extra‑curricular offer. Although we are a large school, we are able to retain a family feel, to nurture our pupils through their schooling and ensure that they flourish and leave us with the skills and qualifications necessary to continue their journey of life‑long learning in a university or career of their choice.

Our school values and virtue pathways are crucial to our culture and ethos, they are also part of the way we work and learn together and have been instrumental to us on our school improvement journey. Our values of Ambition, Resilience and Kindness permeate our curriculum, our culture, school and our learning community.

It is for these reasons that Ark Victoria Academy was judged to be significantly improved in all areas from the 2019 ‘Good’ inspection, by Ofsted, in October 2024: ‘This is a school which lives out its values in full for the benefit of children in Nursery to the pupils in Year 11…pupils thrive at all stages of Ark Victoria Academy…as the school knows its pupils very well, they are very well supported to engage with the school’s ambitious curriculum’. The full report (September 2024) can be found here: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50262921

We prioritise staff development with a strong emphasis on securing expert subject knowledge from our teachers, strong teaching and leadership and a focus on excellence for our pupils and staff.

Visit arkvictoria.org/jobs to learn more about us.

Diversity and inclusion:

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. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement:

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.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.