Welcome to Ada!

We are the National College for Digital Skills, established in 2016 as the first new Further Education College in England since 1993. Our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent, and our values of Rigour, Resilience, Creativity, Curiosity and Collaboration sit at the heart of what we do and how we go about our work. We seek to harness tech as a positive tool for social mobility and improve the gender and ethnic diversity of the tech workforce.

We are a small, specialist college with sixth form students and apprentices on roll at present but with plans now well underway to grow to more  learners by December 2025 across our two fantastic new city centre hub campuses in London (Pimlico) and Manchester (Ancoats).

We stand apart from other Colleges due to:

• The quality of teaching, learning and assessment of computer science and related subjects
• Our fantastic progression outcomes for our learners
• The breadth and depth of our industry partnerships
• Our focus on outreach and learner diversity, especially those from more disadvantaged backgrounds
• Our high support, high expectations culture for staff and learners

We received ‘Good’, with Outstanding features, in our first Ofsted inspection in October 2018 and again in March 2023.

Criteria for the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring outstanding teacher of Computer Science (Computing), ready to lead and further develop a strong and talented team of sixth form computer science teachers at Ada.

The successful candidate will have strong academic credentials, a proven record of outstanding teaching and experience in or a demonstrated understanding of the tech industry that you will bring to the College.

You will share the mission of the College which is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent and as such you will work with our industry partners to help deliver an education that enables all our students, especially women and those from low-income backgrounds, to progress into highly skilled digital roles and lead flourishing lives.

You will lead the department’s teachers in an experienced computer science team to develop and deliver Ada’s computer science curriculum in an innovative and engaging way that embodies the beliefs and values of the College; to put real world industry involvement at the heart of our curriculum, and to ensure our students continue to achieve outstanding outcomes and progression.

You will teach on the BTEC Nationals (RQF) Level 3 Computing programme leading units suited to your individual expertise and will help teach, develop and shape our new curriculum as we incorporate the T-Level Digital Production, Design and Development course alongside our core BTEC Level 3 Computing courses in the coming year.

At Ada, you will work in a fast-paced environment with an aspirational group of teachers and students who are highly passionate about computing and digital skills. Our ambition is to continue to grow our student volumes as our reputation grows while maintaining the high quality and unique nature of our cohort.

The position is ideal for an experienced Level 3 (BTEC and/or A-Level) Computer Science teacher looking to progress in their teaching career by taking on additional leadership responsibilities while remaining a focussed subject specialist classroom teacher.

Main Duties and Responsibilities are detailed in the attached JD

As a Computer Science Teacher you will:

• Teach computer science to Ada students, maintaining outstanding standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Support the college in developing an inventive approach to teaching, learning and assessment in computer science so that all students are challenged effectively and enabled not simply to achieve high outcomes but also to gain an excellent understanding of the subject which propels them into successful progression routes.
• Prepare high quality learning resources that reflect the Ada Approach to Collaborative  Professionalism.
• Provide academic and pastoral support for students in their lessons, as well as support outside lessons (e.g. after college or during part of lunch) to ensure that every student makes continuous and effective progress.
• Support student progress by providing constructive feedback both in lesson and on homework submitted that systematically check’s learners’ understanding, identifies misconceptions accurately and provides clear, direct strategies for improvement.
• Provide written feedback on students’ progress to the college, to parents/carers and to students themselves where appropriate and as directed by Senior Leaders.
• Be a Team Lead (Form Tutor) and support, through mentoring and intervention, the personal development and academic progress of the students in your Team in line with Ada’s Social Mission and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Ensure you incorporate relevant industry support into your classroom teaching, e.g., through guest speakers, industry visits, subject competitions and that you take an active part in Ada’s industry projects.
• Participate fully in the learning community of Ada teachers, for example by regularly observing colleagues and welcoming observations in return and by contributing enthusiastically to discussions around teaching and learning.
• Provide or contribute to written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students and groups of students.
• Participate in arrangements for preparing students for public examinations and in assessing students for the purposes of such examinations.
• Attend professional development activities either at Ada or elsewhere to improve and enhance your own practice, including attending meetings which take place outside of normal working hours.

As Computer Science Lead Practitioner you will:

• Showcase high quality teaching and learning which positively impacts on student outcomes
• Contribute to college leadership by ensuring CS staff are aware of and follow best practice in the teaching of Computing, and coach/mentor teaching staff as appropriate in order to achieve this. 
• Model best practice for teaching colleagues including through the creation and delivery of in-house CPD.
• Actively engage in drop-ins and supportive lesson observations as required.
• Support progression activities and disseminate knowledge of progression routes to suitable university and degree apprenticeships to our students.
• Act as a Mentor to CS Early Career Teachers and a Subject Mentor to PGCE Trainee Teachers in liaison with our partner ITT providers.
• Take a lead in developing the college’s role as a facilitator of CS training programmes and as a provider of bespoke training programmes for our partner schools.
• Take a lead in running and promoting the college’s role in hosting a CAS Community.
• Regularly undertake personal CPD related to the role of Computer Science Lead Practitioner.
• Engage in visits to outstanding schools/colleges as appropriate in order to share good practice.
• Represent the college in events and conferences (eg CAS conference, CAS virtual showcases, KCL Research in Ed, Royal Institute Master Classes and Conferences, Skills London)  including attending those which take place outside of normal working hours (Up to three days in any academic year will form a part of your contractual obligation).
• Lead and develop Ada’s programme of project based learning via our  Industry Projects working with the External relations team and the entire teaching team to plan and deliver these real world learning experiences at Ada for our students.

Alongside the Head of Computer Science and Curriculum Development Lead you will:

• Embody Ada’s values of Curiosity, Rigour, Creativity, Collaboration and Resilience with staff and students on a daily basis and work to instil a culture and ethos that evidences these.
• Work to ensure the quality of student experience is rated highly through student and parent surveys.
• Assist with the recruitment and selection of department teaching staff.
• Support an effective induction for new department teaching staff
• Contribute to the management of key college events, including open events, consultation evenings, assessment days and welcome events.
• Assist in planning and managing the student recruitment process, alongside the Outreach Manager,  including carrying out interviews.
• Help foster effective links with industry partners, the FE and HE sectors and the local community.
• Support in developing the department’s curriculum - as we integrate Digital T-Levels, and look to add A-Level Computer Science and AAQ Computing qualifications into our future course portfolio, delivery plan and timetable.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject
• Qualified teacher status (QTS) / PGCE / Lecturer qualification (QTLS)
• Delivery of Computer Science/ Computing  at Level 3 with an excellent track record of results
• Pastoral experience with KS4 or post 16 students.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience 

• Knowledge of industry, ideally the tech sector, and ideas of how to invigorate the curriculum by harnessing industry’s challenges and ways of working
• Experience in leading aspects of BTEC provision
• Experience of leading teams within an educational context and evidence of a positive and sustained impact
• Leadership and implementation of effective intervention programmes at a department/year/school or college wide level that had a proven impact on results
• Leadership of a range of school/college wide initiatives with evidence of impact
• Experience of coaching and developing teachers and/or support staff to help them improve their practise.

Leadership and Management – the ability to demonstrate:

• Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every student
• An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations.
• Clear strategies for establishing consistently high standards of results and behaviour and a commitment to relentlessly instilling these.
• An effective leadership style that inspires confidence in those you lead and encourages others to participate in going above and beyond.
• Versatility to adapt your leadership style in circumstances where an alternative approach is needed.
• A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes.
• An ability  to give feedback in a constructive and challenging way.
• An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive in successfully marketing the college in the community.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills which includes the ability to delegate, prioritise and use effective time management.
• Resilience and motivation to stay positive and focus on key priorities during times of challenge.
• Confidence and effective presentation skills during assemblies, parents and carers events and other public speaking opportunities.
• A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours.

Safeguarding

Ada, National College for Digital Skills is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references will be sought from previous employers prior to commencing employment. Other related pre-employment checks appropriate to the post will also be carried out.

Remuneration and Benefits

Salary:                £40,000-£48,000

Main hours:      9am-5pm

Holidays:          The College currently keeps mainly in line with Local Authority term dates and the                                         allowance each holiday year is 55 days leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays .

DBS:                  All employees undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Pension:          Teachers Pension Scheme

Equal opportunities

 Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;
• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact HR@ada.ac.uk

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

How to apply for the role

Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter (no longer than two pages) outlining your interest in the role and how you can make a difference at Ada to jobs@ada.ac.uk .   

Please submit your completed application form to jobs@ada.ac.uk. Please include a cover letter (no longer than two pages) outlining your interest in the role and how your experience makes you suitable  for  the role  and how you can make a positive difference at Ada.

Next Steps

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis based on receipt of applications and the closing date is 09.00 on 10th May 2024.

Thank you for your interest in the role and good luck with your application!