Head of Computer Science in Middlesbrough

Role: Head of Computer Science

Academy: Outwood Academy Riverside

Start Date: 01/01/2026

Salary (Actual Salary): £34.069 - £52,835, Plus TLR 2.1

Working Pattern: Full Time / Part Time Considered

Are you a visionary educator ready to lead a subject department, providing clear, cohesive direction and inspiring high achievement? Join us as a Head of Department, where you will communicate a clear purpose and vision, motivate colleagues, and implement whole-Academy initiatives to ensure your department meets ambitious academic targets. This role is designed for someone who models the Academy's values, promotes innovative teaching strategies, and is dedicated to securing continuous improvement and quality outcomes for all students.

Welcome from the Principal:

We are a free scheel in the centre of Middlesbrough, and we do things differently! Do you?

As Principal, I am proud to introduce you to Outwood Academy Riverside, an innovative free school within a nationally renowned Trust that nurtures talent and provides high-quality professional development.

Opened in 2020, Riverside is a special place to work with genuine care for every family member. Our community is built on core values, including kindness, compassion, respect and integrity. We maintain academic rigour and high expectations, resulting in very good behavior and attendance that is above the national average. Students face no 'glass ceiling' and benefit from exceptional personal development opportunities (including Cadets, MISST, and LAMDA).

This is a unique opportunity to join an inspirational team making history. We are currently on Russell Street (with a satellite site in Eston) and are planning a move to a new, state-of-the-art facility by 2027.

About the Department:

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who believe in the transformative power of computing in the modern world and is eager to inspire the next generation of digital innovators.

As department we have a strong belief in encouraging students to see the wonders of modern digital technology and how they can have an impact on its future, with the shared aim of breaking down barriers and encouraging girls and minorities in particular to fully embrace computing. Together as a team we support each other in achieving these aims.

At Outwood Academy Riverside we have access to three well maintained computer suites and teach the OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science and Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology, as well as offer OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Business.

If you have any questions or would like to visit the school, please contact D Potter (HoD), d.potter@riverside.outwood.com

Responsibilities

The Head of Department is responsible for communicating a clear purpose and vision while providing cohesive leadership and direction to the Department/Faculty. This leader models the Academy's values, promotes high standards through effective teaching, and is accountable for implementing the Department Development Plan/Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) to secure continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications required are a Degree in the relevant subject and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of their subject's secondary curriculum (Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5), knowledge of current departmental issues, and understanding of school improvement and Ofsted inspection programmes. Essential experience includes leading or supporting the leadership of a department, successful teaching across all key stages, and evidence of managing/leading a new initiative.

Required skills encompass being an outstanding classroom practitioner with a clear vision, possessing outstanding relationships with students and staff, and the ability to analyze data to develop rapid improvement intervention strategies.

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