Hampton is one of the country’s leading, most successful and best-resourced independent schools and has been helping boys to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations for over 460 years.

We are a lively, friendly and caring School community, in which innovative teaching is underpinned by strong shared values and complemented by outstanding pastoral care. We aspire to enable our boys not only to make sense of the world but also to want to go out and improve it. Hamptonians are expected to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect.

The School’s examination results and university entrance record consistently rank among the best achieved anywhere. Nearly all Hampton leavers go on to undergraduate courses at Russell Group or equivalent universities. Around 20 Hamptonians are offered places at Oxford and Cambridge annually and a good number move on to global top-10 universities; we also support pupils who wish to study at US and Canadian universities, some of whom achieve academic and/or sporting scholarships.

Our alumni network is extremely strong and former pupils remain very interested in their School, in no small part due to the exceptionally warm and mutually respectful relationships enjoyed between Hampton staff and their pupils.

Situated on a green field site in a leafy suburb of South West London, we are fortunate to have over 27 acres of playing fields within our spacious grounds and a generous investment programme ensures that pupils and staff benefit from first-class facilities across all areas of School life. These include a state-of-the-art 3G sports ground, a large Sports Hall and The Hammond Theatre, along with an excellent library and specialist facilities for Art, Music, Science, Technology, IT and Languages and our modern Sixth Form Study and Careers Centre. The Millennium Boat House, shared with our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles, enjoys a prime location on the nearby River Thames and provides the focal point for our renowned Boat Club.

The School was judged to be excellent (the highest possible recognition) across all categories by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in May 2023. Inspectors found that Hamptonians’ achievements are exceptional across academic and co-curricular areas of School life and concluded that ‘outstanding analytical and thinking skills’ lead to academic achievements ‘far and above national and worldwide averages’. The ISI team also highlighted Hamptonians’ excellent personal development and concluded that ‘Pupils are open-minded and tolerant and have a clear sense of justice, successfully fulfilling the School’s aims for them to make sense of the world, to want to make a difference for good, and to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect’. A copy of the full ISI report can found on the School website and a summary booklet of the inspection team’s key findings is linked here.

Please click here to view the Job Description.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly qualified, enthusiastic and driven Teacher of Computer Science to join our friendly, professional and high-achieving Computer Science department.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a dynamic and popular department, in an outstanding School. Computer Science at Hampton taps into and nurtures pupils’ natural fascination with computer technology and enhances their logical reasoning.

Computer Science is taught to all year groups, and the Department runs several co-curricular activities such as Coding Club and Lego Robotics, and enters competitions such as BEBRAS, BIO and Student Robotics.

All staff in the Department are subject specialists and there is great scope to make your mark on the development of the department. The role involves planning and delivering innovative and high-quality lessons and the challenges include stretching the most able up to Oxbridge level. The successful applicant would be expected to contribute to the development of further GCSE and A Level resources.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach around 30 (40 minute) lessons per week and a contribution to the wider life of the School is also expected from staff at Hampton.

Hampton is rated 'exceptional' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for pupils’ achievements and learning. Inspectors also praised the School for fostering a culture “in which the individual matters and everyone’s contribution is valued.” Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our ethos and the School has a thriving partnerships programme.

The School has its own salary scale and offers generous non-contractual benefits, well above the maintained sector, to attract high-calibre candidates. There is very strong commitment at Hampton to supporting the continuing professional development of colleagues.

We encourage applications as soon as possible as the School reserves the right to commence or complete the interview process at any time prior to the closing date.

The Department

Computer Science at Hampton taps into and nurtures pupils’ natural fascination with computer technology.

Technology plays an ever-increasing role in all our lives and the School views it as fundamental responsibility to give pupils the skills, knowledge and awareness that will enable them to safely navigate through and embrace the technological developments that lie ahead.

Computing and Coding is taught to First, Second and Third Years at Hampton. We ensure that all pupils are computer literate and learn how to use the internet safely with discernment and good judgement. Information and communication technology plays an important role in the study of the majority of academic subjects.

As the boys move up the School the focus is on computational thinking and developing key programming skills. Pupils are introduced to more advanced programming languages such as Python and encouraged to use coding on projects specifically geared to engage their interest. These may include building computer games, websites, or robotics. A Level students are also introduced to SQL, Haskell, assembly language and Java.

Lower School

In the First and Second Years the students are introduced to the principles of algorithmic thinking, and programming through graphical languages such as Scratch, and using turtle in Python. These ideas are further developed using Microbits and BitBots. In the Third Year the students are introduced to Computer Science ideas such as flowcharts, binary numbers and hardware, and introduced to programming using Python. In the Lower School Computer Science is taken by all students.

GCSE

At the end of the Third Year students may choose to continue with Computer Science as an optional GCSE subject. This has proven to be a popular option with Hampton students, with eight or nine GCSE classes across the two year groups. The Edexcel Pearson GCSE (1-9) (2020) is taught.

A Level

There are usually three to four A Level sets across the Sixth Form studying Computer Science. Many students go on to study Computer Science at University. The AQA Computer Science A Level is taught, and involves the students working on a large software project.

Resources

There are three dedicated Computer Science teaching rooms, and all students and staff have their own laptops. Extensive resources have been developed for use within the Department and are available through the School intranet. You would be expected to contribute to the development of GCSE and A Level resources.

Main Responsibilities

• To teach Computer Science throughout the age range (The Computer Science full time teaching load is currently 30 x 40-minute periods per week)
• To oversee and organise the resources for each group of pupils you teach and to advise the Head of Computer Science on resources required to enable effective teaching
• To develop a continual updating of knowledge and understanding of the Computer Science curriculum through personal reading, research and INSET
• To complete all student assessment requirements, including the regular marking of homework and coursework
• To assess, record and track the progress of the students that you teach according to the expectations of the Head of Computer Science
• and School policies
• To deliver teaching of a high standard and to maintain standards of achievement across the department
• To fulfil the aims of the Computer Science Department which include:
• Explaining how computer programs work
• Developing sound computer-literacy skills
• Introducing pupils to the world of coding enabling them to write their own programs
• Furthering pupils’ curiosity in this crucially important field
• To maintain standards of discipline in line with Hampton School policies
• To contribute to the pastoral aspects of the School as a Form Tutor which will include the delivery of PSHE N.B. a Form Tutor will have the Head of Year as their immediate line manager for pastoral responsibilities
• To use performance data for pupil target setting and progress monitoring
• To deliver teaching of a high standard and to work to promote and maintain standards of achievement across the Department
• To attend parent and pupil meetings, as required
• To work collaboratively as part of a large department
• To attend whole school and departmental INSET and contribute to the evaluation and progress of the Computer Science curriculum.
  

Person Specification

The successful candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate the following skills, qualifications and experience

Essential Criteria:

• Commitment to the paramount importance of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils
• A good honours degree in a numerate or computer science subject
• Enthusiasm for computing and the ability to convey this to pupils, up to Sixth Form
• Knowledge of at least one high level programming language, and the willingness to learn ‘Python’ if not already known
• The ability to demonstrate characteristics of outstanding teaching practice
• An awareness of the demands of teaching bright students and a commitment to fostering high academic achievement in an academically selective school setting
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team and a willingness to contribute to departmental resources
• A professional, collaborative approach that inspires confidence in pupils, parents and colleagues
• Calmness and efficiency, with the ability to work under pressure when required to do so
• Commitment to continuing professional development through attendance at INSET courses
• A keen eye for detail and a high level of administrative ability
• Willingness to contribute to the rich programme of co-curricular Computer Science activities, visits and trips
• Assiduous and willing to avoid the ‘9 to 4 approach’
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the School community and outside agencies
• Commitment to the all-round ethos of the School, including its co-curricular activities and pastoral approach
• An understanding of appropriate Health and Safety requirements.

Desirable Criteria

• A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research
• A teaching qualification and/or some previous teaching experience
• An ability to offer skills in some part of the co-curricular programme of the School.
  

Training

Where necessary, to attend INSET training or undergo other on the job training under the general direction of the Head of Department or training outside the school to increase competence, proficiency and safety awareness

Salary and Benefits

Hampton has its own generous salary scale and benefits package. Accommodation may also be available.

NQTs/ECT’s are provided with an appropriate programme of induction leading to QTS, valid across both sectors.

The Hampton School Trust Governors currently offer the following non-contractual benefits to staff, subject to any terms and conditions and the School’s eligibility requirements: private medical insurance (PHC); death-in-service benefit insurance policy; a Medicash healthcare cash plan; enrolment in an appropriate Pension Scheme, personal accident insurance, School fee remission, cycle to work scheme, lunch, sports facilities and counselling.

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive and non-contractual benefits are provided at the discretion of the Governors.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK as Sponsorship is not available.

Equal Opportunities

It is the policy of Hampton School to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition or disability. Hampton School promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices.

If any special requirements are required to attend an interview, please inform the School.

Offers of employment will be made on merit and suitability of qualifications and experience, in pursuit of our policy of equal opportunities.

Safeguarding

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School's Safeguarding Designated Persons or to The Headmaster.

The School reserves the right to offer the post at any stage in the appointment process. Further details of the School are available on the website.

Please note all appointments are subject to the Hampton School Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure.

The School is legally required to carry out a number of pre-appointment checks which are detailed in the School's Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure. The information you are being asked to provide in this form is required so that the School can comply with those legal obligations should your application be successful. Please note that in order to be considered for a position at the School, you must complete this application form. A curriculum vitae will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.

Hampton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment.