Gad’s Hill School

Teacher of Computer Science

With effect from the Autumn Term 2018

Additional Information for Applicants

Gad’s Hill School is an independent day school situated in a semi-rural position on the North Downs in the village of Higham near the historic cathedral city of Rochester in Kent. The school is co-educational and takes pupils from 3–16 years and has a school roll of around 310 pupils.

Although we are approaching our first centenary as a school, having been founded in 1924 in the richly historical family home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill is refreshingly free of many of the trappings of other, more overtly traditional private schools. Indeed, Gad’s is a wonderful place to work; the children are genuinely enthusiastic and there is a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. Our parent population contains a healthy mix of successful local business people and professionals.

Kent and Medway local authorities operate the 11+ system whereby the top 22% of pupils are offered a place in a grammar school either in the Kent or Medway area. The remaining 78% of pupils are offered a place in either a local authority, non-selective school or an academy. Approximately 70% of our Year 6 pupils remain at Gad’s for their secondary education. About 40% attempt the local 11+ examinations each year in an effort to gain a (free) grammar school place. Most are successful. It means that the majority of our Year 7 pupils fall close to the national average in CATs ability tests. Our challenge is to make the most of our small class sizes and supportive atmosphere to add significant value to every individual.

Gad’s Hill School requires, from the Autumn Term 2018, a teacher of Computer Science. Full details of responsibilities can be found within the job specification but, in summary, the individual will be responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day operation and delivery of the Computer Science and ICT curriculum.

ICT and simple programming are introduced in the Kindergarten and studied for two lessons per week throughout the Junior School. Children in Years 7 and 8 study Computing, also twice per week. At the end of Key Stage 3, Computer Science is offered as an option at GCSE and taught four lessons per week. The school currently offers the newOCR GCSE Computer Science qualification. The new teacher of Computer Science will be expected to review the current curriculum content and overall departmental strategy with a view of securing strong GCSE results in the long term.

It is envisaged that a sixth form will come on stream when the new Senior school buildings are completed in the 2020s.

The school would ideally like to attract an enthusiastic candidate who is a first class practitioner.

Benefits include:

  • Salary is on Gad’s Hill pay scales according to qualification and experience.
  • Staff are entitled to 50% fee remission for their children’s education at Gad’s Hill.
  • Teaching staff are members of the Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS).

Applications must be by Application Form (attached), a covering letter explaining why you wish to apply and your suitability for the post, an equal opportunities survey plus a CV together with details of three referees. These documents must conform to our appointment procedure, a copy of which is enclosed with the information pack. Our safer recruitment policy means that enhanced DBS check and stringent vetting procedures will apply to all prospective candidates.

Gad’s Hill School, Higham, Rochester, Kent ME3 7PA

Telephone: 01474 822366

E-mail: