Head of Computing
- Organisation: The Blue Coat School
- Location: West Midlands
- Tenure: Full-time
- Closing Date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Inspire curiosity, challenge young minds and deliver exceptional teaching as Head of Computing at The Blue Coat School. Join a thriving, supportive community committed to limitless learning, academic excellence and pupil wellbeing, where innovative practice and high expectations ensure every child achieves their full potential.
Core Purpose of Post
To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young persons for whom the post holder has responsibility and with whom the post holder comes into contact.
To maintain a high profile throughout The Blue Coat School community, fostering key strategies to promote excellence in the quality of the education provided, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the school, and working with the Headmaster and staff to sustain and enhance the standing of the school.
Professional
Exercise loyalty to the Headmaster and to the School.
Support and assist the Headmaster in providing a happy, secure, safe and stimulating environment in which children can develop to their full potential.
Support the Headmaster in fostering parental involvement and in keeping parents informed of school policy, the curriculum and other matters of importance.
Set and maintain high standards of work and teaching, as well as of personal and professional conduct, as guided by the Department for Education: Teachers’ Standards.
Comply with all regulatory requirements.
Comply fully with the requirements as set out in the current versions of the DfE document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and the HM Government document ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and any relevant supplementary guidance.
Abide by all the School’s current systems and structures as outlined in policy documents including the First Aid and Health, Health and Safety and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies, and take appropriate action in accordance with all such documents as and when necessary.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and parents.
Participate as required in meetings with colleagues and parents in respect of the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Be punctual and adaptable, and dress in a smart but practical manner.
Ensure that the principles for the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the children and the principles of the fundamental British Values are actively promoted.
Other Responsibilities including Children’s Wellbeing
Supervise children as required at break and lunch times, eating with the children and encouraging good manners and sensible eating habits.
Assist in ensuring that the children’s dietary and medical requirements are adhered to.
Assist with, and take responsibility for Prep outings as required.
Take an active part in year group events such as productions, Chapel Services and theme days as required.
Assist with any reasonable request in connection with the day-to-day organisation of the classroom or School.
Undertake allocated Hub duties and support House events as required by the Head of Prep, Deputy Head Prep, Head of Year or House Lead.
In addition to the responsibilities of a Qualified Teacher at The Blue Coat School, the Head of Computing will undertake the following tasks:
Specific Responsibilities
Head of Computing
Provide leadership for Computing across the school which involves:
Strategic Direction and Development
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, and relevant Pre-Prep Subject Leaders, to devise, implement and review the Computing Vision Statement and relevant policies and documentation in line with the Curriculum Review Cycle, ensuring that this is shared with relevant members of staff.
Present developments and next steps in Computing to the Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Committee in accordance with the Curriculum Review Cycle.
Ensure that the School Vision Statement, Mission and Aims are embedded into the Computing curriculum.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to support the development and implementation of the school’s Digital Learning Strategy.
Contribute to initiatives that advance the school’s ambition to become a sector-leading Apple Distinguished School.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to ensure that School Improvement Plan priorities linked to Computing are implemented and communicated to relevant staff, as required.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, the Assistant Head Teaching and Learning and other Heads of Department or Subject Leaders to review the overall Curriculum and Assessment Plans, developing and implementing new initiatives or cross-curricular opportunities, as appropriate.
Liaise with outside agencies to promote Computing at the school (e.g. annual Safer Internet Day).
Leading and managing staff
Assist staff in enhancing their teaching through the use of ICT, ensuring the highest quality is maintained.
Develop a culture in which all pupils are stretched and challenged, ensuring that all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success.
Undertake regular work scrutiny in accordance with the Curriculum Review Cycle and provide feedback to colleagues.
Ensure that teachers of Computing are kept up-to-date with curriculum developments, the latest research, policies and initiatives, both local and national.
Provide induction information for new staff on the ICT systems at the school and the available resources.
Planning and Monitoring
Liaise with the relevant Pre-Prep Subject Leaders to ensure continuity and progression across Key Stages.
Provide an overview of the work covered by each Prep year group, reviewing this annually to ensure that it is appropriate to the needs of all the pupils and provides continuity and progression.
Ensure that effective and well-planned Schemes of Work are written which detail the work covered by each year group in Key Stage 2, and that these schemes are evaluated on at least an annual basis and improvements implemented.
Liaise with the Assistant Head Teaching and Learning to monitor the quality of teaching and learning by participating in the programme of lesson observations, planning scrutinities, book scrutinies, reviews of lesson planning and Pupil Voice.
Work with other Heads of Department to develop cross-curricular digital learning opportunities.
Plan, implement and organise enrichment opportunities such as cross-curricular workshops, outings or visiting speakers in consultation with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead and the Head of Prep, ensuring that these are commensurate with whole school calendar requirements.
Teaching and Learning
Provide clear planning for lessons and for sequences of lessons that maintains pace, motivation and challenge.
Use a variety of teaching styles, including adaptive teaching, and provide constructive feedback verbally and in marking to ensure the effective learning of whole classes, groups and individuals, establishing high expectations of behaviour and attainment.
Integrate Assessment for Learning (AfL) to inform planning and provide next steps targets for the children.
Complete the ‘BCS Blue’ for Computing and ensure that children are supported in meeting their individual targets.
Contribute to the identification, assessment and support of pupils with learning support or special educational needs, liaising with the SENCOs, and writing and implementing Individual Pupil Profile Sheets where appropriate.
Provide reports on individual progress to colleagues, the Headmaster and parents as required.
Create a bright classroom environment in which pupils’ work is displayed to promote and enhance learning.
Contribute to the maintenance and general orderliness of the school environment and its resources.
Curriculum Responsibilities
Take the lead in policy development to ensure progression and continuity in Computing throughout the school, ensuring that developments in Computing education are incorporated into teaching where appropriate.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead with regard to the Computing curriculum to ensure progression and continuity in the curriculum.
Devise, evaluate and update Schemes of Work for Key Stage 2 as required.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to monitor the planning of Computing teachers where relevant to ensure that Schemes of Work are being followed and checking for consistency across year groups.
Monitor the work and track the progress of the children in Key Stage 2 in Computing, taking appropriate action when necessary.
Inform colleagues of any new developments in the teaching of Computing in the curriculum.
Take responsibility for the purchase and organisation of central computing resources in consultation with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead.
In collaboration with the Director of Values and Wellbeing, lead the school\s online safety programme.
Support pupils in becoming responsible and ethical digital citizens.
Liaise with the Pre-Prep Computing Subject Leader and the Early Years Foundation Stage Understanding the World Co-ordinator with regard to whole school developments in Computing and subject documentation including subject Handbooks and subject improvement plans.
Assessments
Liaise with the Director of Learning Success to ensure that appropriate interventions are put into place for individual or groups of pupils, as appropriate.
Liaise with local secondary schools to ensure The Blue Coat School Key Stage 2 curriculum is in line with external requirements.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to co-ordinate an internal ‘BCS Blue’ moderation for Computing, ensuring consistency across the subject with supportive evidence to back up decisions.
Communication with Parents
Update termly curriculum booklets, in collaboration with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, to ensure parents are aware of termly curriculum content.
Inform parents of enrichment opportunities such as cross-curricular workshops, outings or visiting speakers through timely communications.
Liaise with the Director of Marketing and Admission to contribute to School-approved forms of communication such as Update and social media.
Other Responsibilities
Manage and maintain all computing-related subscriptions, including the renewal and updating of platforms.
Liaise with the Head of Prep and Second Master to ensure that all the ICT Acceptable Use agreements are completed annually for staff and pupils, providing support in facilitating this.
Work with safeguarding leaders to ensure safe digital practices.
Proactively research opportunities for further CPD appropriate to the role.
Attend relevant CPD as approved by the Headmaster.
Develop links with colleagues in other Prep Schools to ascertain aspects of best practice in Computing.
Make professional learning visits to other Prep Schools (or maintained primaries) on at least an annual basis.
Keep an up-to-date list of the resources available in the faculty, replacing or renewing them as required.
Consult with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to prepare a realistic and achievable budget for the Computing Department.
Keep a record of spending in the department, ensuring that it falls within the parameters of the budget and ensure compliance with the School’s financial systems and processes.
SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
To adhere to all School policies and procedures, especially those relating to Pupils, Health and Safety, Equality of Opportunity and Human Resources, and the Financial Regulations and Procedures.
Please note we cannot accept CVs. We only accept applications via My New Term.
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to teach an observed lesson and will attend a formal interview. There will be an opportunity to tour the school.
Please note, we reserve the right to close posts at any time, once we have received sufficient applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are listed within the job descriptions.
All applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including online searches, checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
All posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
At interview applicants must provide original documents to confirm their identity and right to work in the UK. They must also bring proof of qualifications where relevant for the post. The documentation required by applicants is listed in the Recruitment Policy which is available on the school website and from the School.
The Blue Coat School is an equal opportunities employer.
Downloads
Inspire curiosity, challenge young minds and deliver exceptional teaching as Head of Computing at The Blue Coat School. Join a thriving, supportive community committed to limitless learning, academic excellence and pupil wellbeing, where innovative practice and high expectations ensure every child achieves their full potential.
Description
Core Purpose of Post
To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young persons for whom the post holder has responsibility and with whom the post holder comes into contact.
To maintain a high profile throughout The Blue Coat School community, fostering key strategies to promote excellence in the quality of the education provided, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the school, and working with the Headmaster and staff to sustain and enhance the standing of the school.
Professional
Exercise loyalty to the Headmaster and to the School.
Support and assist the Headmaster in providing a happy, secure, safe and stimulating environment in which children can develop to their full potential.
Support the Headmaster in fostering parental involvement and in keeping parents informed of school policy, the curriculum and other matters of importance.
Set and maintain high standards of work and teaching, as well as of personal and professional conduct, as guided by the Department for Education: Teachers’ Standards.
Comply with all regulatory requirements.
Comply fully with the requirements as set out in the current versions of the DfE document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and the HM Government document ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ and any relevant supplementary guidance.
Abide by all the School’s current systems and structures as outlined in policy documents including the First Aid and Health, Health and Safety and Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies, and take appropriate action in accordance with all such documents as and when necessary.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and parents.
Participate as required in meetings with colleagues and parents in respect of the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Be punctual and adaptable, and dress in a smart but practical manner.
Ensure that the principles for the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the children and the principles of the fundamental British Values are actively promoted.
Other Responsibilities including Children’s Wellbeing
Supervise children as required at break and lunch times, eating with the children and encouraging good manners and sensible eating habits.
Assist in ensuring that the children’s dietary and medical requirements are adhered to.
Assist with, and take responsibility for Prep outings as required.
Take an active part in year group events such as productions, Chapel Services and theme days as required.
Assist with any reasonable request in connection with the day-to-day organisation of the classroom or School.
Undertake allocated Hub duties and support House events as required by the Head of Prep, Deputy Head Prep, Head of Year or House Lead.
In addition to the responsibilities of a Qualified Teacher at The Blue Coat School, the Head of Computing will undertake the following tasks:
Specific Responsibilities
Head of Computing
Provide leadership for Computing across the school which involves:
Strategic Direction and Development
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, and relevant Pre-Prep Subject Leaders, to devise, implement and review the Computing Vision Statement and relevant policies and documentation in line with the Curriculum Review Cycle, ensuring that this is shared with relevant members of staff.
Present developments and next steps in Computing to the Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Committee in accordance with the Curriculum Review Cycle.
Ensure that the School Vision Statement, Mission and Aims are embedded into the Computing curriculum.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to support the development and implementation of the school’s Digital Learning Strategy.
Contribute to initiatives that advance the school’s ambition to become a sector-leading Apple Distinguished School.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to ensure that School Improvement Plan priorities linked to Computing are implemented and communicated to relevant staff, as required.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, the Assistant Head Teaching and Learning and other Heads of Department or Subject Leaders to review the overall Curriculum and Assessment Plans, developing and implementing new initiatives or cross-curricular opportunities, as appropriate.
Liaise with outside agencies to promote Computing at the school (e.g. annual Safer Internet Day).
Leading and managing staff
Assist staff in enhancing their teaching through the use of ICT, ensuring the highest quality is maintained.
Develop a culture in which all pupils are stretched and challenged, ensuring that all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success.
Undertake regular work scrutiny in accordance with the Curriculum Review Cycle and provide feedback to colleagues.
Ensure that teachers of Computing are kept up-to-date with curriculum developments, the latest research, policies and initiatives, both local and national.
Provide induction information for new staff on the ICT systems at the school and the available resources.
Planning and Monitoring
Liaise with the relevant Pre-Prep Subject Leaders to ensure continuity and progression across Key Stages.
Provide an overview of the work covered by each Prep year group, reviewing this annually to ensure that it is appropriate to the needs of all the pupils and provides continuity and progression.
Ensure that effective and well-planned Schemes of Work are written which detail the work covered by each year group in Key Stage 2, and that these schemes are evaluated on at least an annual basis and improvements implemented.
Liaise with the Assistant Head Teaching and Learning to monitor the quality of teaching and learning by participating in the programme of lesson observations, planning scrutinities, book scrutinies, reviews of lesson planning and Pupil Voice.
Work with other Heads of Department to develop cross-curricular digital learning opportunities.
Plan, implement and organise enrichment opportunities such as cross-curricular workshops, outings or visiting speakers in consultation with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead and the Head of Prep, ensuring that these are commensurate with whole school calendar requirements.
Teaching and Learning
Provide clear planning for lessons and for sequences of lessons that maintains pace, motivation and challenge.
Use a variety of teaching styles, including adaptive teaching, and provide constructive feedback verbally and in marking to ensure the effective learning of whole classes, groups and individuals, establishing high expectations of behaviour and attainment.
Integrate Assessment for Learning (AfL) to inform planning and provide next steps targets for the children.
Complete the ‘BCS Blue’ for Computing and ensure that children are supported in meeting their individual targets.
Contribute to the identification, assessment and support of pupils with learning support or special educational needs, liaising with the SENCOs, and writing and implementing Individual Pupil Profile Sheets where appropriate.
Provide reports on individual progress to colleagues, the Headmaster and parents as required.
Create a bright classroom environment in which pupils’ work is displayed to promote and enhance learning.
Contribute to the maintenance and general orderliness of the school environment and its resources.
Curriculum Responsibilities
Take the lead in policy development to ensure progression and continuity in Computing throughout the school, ensuring that developments in Computing education are incorporated into teaching where appropriate.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead with regard to the Computing curriculum to ensure progression and continuity in the curriculum.
Devise, evaluate and update Schemes of Work for Key Stage 2 as required.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to monitor the planning of Computing teachers where relevant to ensure that Schemes of Work are being followed and checking for consistency across year groups.
Monitor the work and track the progress of the children in Key Stage 2 in Computing, taking appropriate action when necessary.
Inform colleagues of any new developments in the teaching of Computing in the curriculum.
Take responsibility for the purchase and organisation of central computing resources in consultation with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead.
In collaboration with the Director of Values and Wellbeing, lead the school\s online safety programme.
Support pupils in becoming responsible and ethical digital citizens.
Liaise with the Pre-Prep Computing Subject Leader and the Early Years Foundation Stage Understanding the World Co-ordinator with regard to whole school developments in Computing and subject documentation including subject Handbooks and subject improvement plans.
Assessments
Liaise with the Director of Learning Success to ensure that appropriate interventions are put into place for individual or groups of pupils, as appropriate.
Liaise with local secondary schools to ensure The Blue Coat School Key Stage 2 curriculum is in line with external requirements.
Liaise with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to co-ordinate an internal ‘BCS Blue’ moderation for Computing, ensuring consistency across the subject with supportive evidence to back up decisions.
Communication with Parents
Update termly curriculum booklets, in collaboration with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead, to ensure parents are aware of termly curriculum content.
Inform parents of enrichment opportunities such as cross-curricular workshops, outings or visiting speakers through timely communications.
Liaise with the Director of Marketing and Admission to contribute to School-approved forms of communication such as Update and social media.
Other Responsibilities
Manage and maintain all computing-related subscriptions, including the renewal and updating of platforms.
Liaise with the Head of Prep and Second Master to ensure that all the ICT Acceptable Use agreements are completed annually for staff and pupils, providing support in facilitating this.
Work with safeguarding leaders to ensure safe digital practices.
Proactively research opportunities for further CPD appropriate to the role.
Attend relevant CPD as approved by the Headmaster.
Develop links with colleagues in other Prep Schools to ascertain aspects of best practice in Computing.
Make professional learning visits to other Prep Schools (or maintained primaries) on at least an annual basis.
Keep an up-to-date list of the resources available in the faculty, replacing or renewing them as required.
Consult with the Head of Pre-Prep and Academic Lead to prepare a realistic and achievable budget for the Computing Department.
Keep a record of spending in the department, ensuring that it falls within the parameters of the budget and ensure compliance with the School’s financial systems and processes.
SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
To adhere to all School policies and procedures, especially those relating to Pupils, Health and Safety, Equality of Opportunity and Human Resources, and the Financial Regulations and Procedures.
Please note we cannot accept CVs. We only accept applications via My New Term.
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to teach an observed lesson and will attend a formal interview. There will be an opportunity to tour the school.
Please note, we reserve the right to close posts at any time, once we have received sufficient applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The safeguarding responsibilities of the post are listed within the job descriptions.
All applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including online searches, checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
All posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
At interview applicants must provide original documents to confirm their identity and right to work in the UK. They must also bring proof of qualifications where relevant for the post. The documentation required by applicants is listed in the Recruitment Policy which is available on the school website and from the School.
The Blue Coat School is an equal opportunities employer.
Downloads
