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.
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.
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
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.
They develop and sustain DEEP LEADERSHIP through line management of staff, overseeing department resources and budget, reviewing syllabuses, and conducting Performance Management Reviews.
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.
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).
What will we do for you?
We offer a comprehensive package focused on career development, fair pay, and well-being:
Take the next step in your professional journey and apply now to access these exceptional development and system-wide impact opportunities.
Note: If applying from an external job board, please click 'Apply' to access the working links on the Outwood Careers page
Please note, we reserve the right to close advertisements early, either on the advertised closing date, or sooner if required.
Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.
We are an award-winning multi-academy education trust with passion, purpose and people at our heart. We manage 41 transformative primary, junior, secondary and Post 16 schools up and down the North of England, from Redcar to Nottinghamshire, each celebrating very different identities but driven by a shared vision. Each academy is individually shaped around the community and children it serves.
We’re incredibly proud of how far our kind, creative and talented teachers and support staff go to make life better for our pupils and their families. It’s why we have built such a leading reputation in education and taken failing schools to Ofsted-rated outstanding in a record amount of time.
We are committed to putting students first, raising standards and transforming lives.
