Welcome to Ada!

We are the Government's National College for Digital Skills, dedicated to educating, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of digital pioneers. Our college is expanding, with a new permanent home in London, a 9-minute walk from Victoria Station, for our 6th form and Apprenticeship programs, and a growing Apprenticeship programme in Manchester. 

Our student body is diverse, hailing from diverse backgrounds, and we are committed to leveraging technology to foster social mobility. They are passionate about tech with outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and we are committed to supporting them to progress into highly skilled roles in the digital sector.

All students study BTEC (RQF) Level 3 Computing programme for at least 66% of their curriculum, with the other coming from A levels. Students undertake regular off-curriculum industry projects with partners such as King Games, Deloitte, Bank of America and Salesforce.

We are passionate about high quality teaching and learning, using industry’s problems to bring education to life for our learners and thinking of innovative new approaches to communicating some of tech’s more challenging concepts.

Role Description

As a Head of Business at Ada you will work closely with other teachers in the Sixth form  team and will play a pivotal role in developing the next generation of digital pioneers. You will help deliver and lead A level Business  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.   

You will develop high quality content and deliver excellent lessons in such topics as computer programming, computer system fundamentals, cyber security and encryption, computer game design, project management, database design and computer networks. There will be opportunities for you to lead on elements of the course suited to your individual expertise as well as to team teach to develop your skills in others.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As Head of the Business Department you will:

• Develop A level Business studies as part of Innovator pathway - working with the Assistant Principal in shaping the curriculum and aligning it with the Ada approach to delivery
• Teach and lead A level Business 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 this subject 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject
• Qualified teacher status (QTS) / PGCE / Lecturer qualification (QTLS) 
• Delivery of Business Studies at KS5  with strong subject knowledge to facilitate the teaching at KS5

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Teaching and learning role in an education focused organisation
• Curriculum and assessment design
• Pastoral experience with post 16 students, for example as a tutor
• Knowledge of industry, ideally the tech sector, and ideas of how to invigorate the curriculum by harnessing industry’s challenges and ways of working  
• Middle-management experience

Personal Qualities, aptitudes and skills:

• Enthusiasm for teaching Mathematics at KS5 to  a high standard
• Embodiment of Ada’s values: Curiosity, Creativity, Collaboration, Rigour and Resilience
• An educational vision aligned with the college’s high aspirations.
• Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every student
• Ability to engage and inspire students and support learning 
• A desire to innovate and try new approaches, being reflective and learning from mistakes.
• A commitment to on-going personal development 
• Strong collaborative working skills
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Any job offer will be conditional on various, appropriate, pre-employment checks including a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and Barred List Check, having the legal right to work in the UK and having satisfactory overseas criminal records checks, if deemed necessary, and supportive references.

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.

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 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 Ada, how your experience makes you suitable  for  the role  and how you can make a difference at Ada.  

Next Steps

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis based on receipt of applications, and we reserve the right to remove the advert before the above closing date.