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 500 students and apprentices on roll at present but with plans now well underway to grow to 850+ 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.

Role Description:

Are you interested in joining the leading computing college in the country? Are you passionate about teaching the next generation of outstanding computer scientists and digital pioneers? Do you want to actively work with major industry partners as a part of a project-based curriculum?

As a Teacher of Computer Science at Ada you will work closely with other teachers in an experienced Computer Science team and will play a pivotal role in developing the next generation of digital pioneers. You will help deliver our core computing 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.  

You will teach on the BTEC (RQF) Level 3 Computing programme, our new T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development and A Level qualifications. Leading and co-delivering units, 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.

At Ada, you will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with an aspirational group of teachers and students who are passionate about computing and digital skills. As a key member of the team, you will need to be willing to step in to take on additional tasks and activities and support other team members as required.

Alongside your teaching commitments you will have other student focused roles. As a Team Lead (Tutor) you will have a pastoral, supportive role with a group of students during their time at Ada. On Wednesday afternoons we continue to deliver clubs and enrichment and ask our teachers to lead activities that connect to their interests. These have  included: Climbing, Football, Badminton, Art, Life Skills, and Primary Computing club and we often take students out on trips to Industry partners or cultural venues such as parks, galleries and museums in the local area and beyond.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

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.

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 – either A Level, BTEC or Digital T Level

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 

Personal Qualities, aptitudes and skills:

• Enthusiasm for teaching Computer Science 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 subject and personal development
• Strong collaborative working skills
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• A willingness to work flexibly and where necessary outside of normal working hours

Remuneration and Benefits

Salary:                                  £33,000 to 46, 890 depending on relevant qualifications and experience

Main hours:                        9am-5pm

Holidays:                              The College starts late August and ends mid July and otherwise  keeps mainly in

                                                line with Local Authority term dates.

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 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 you can make a difference at Ada.  Please use the subject “Application - Computer Science Teacher” in your application email

Closing date: 23 Jan 2025. (NB - applications will be reviewed on receipt and should an excellent candidate be identified early in the process the advert will be removed and interviews could take place before this date so early applications are recommended).