Salary Range: £24,646 to £30,851 (Grade 4) plus final salary pension scheme and generous annual leave entitlement.
36.5 hours per week
Vision:
Great Barr School is one of the UK’s largest Schools; we aim to be one of the leading E-Learning Schools in the UK by 2012.
We have an ambitious vision to utilise all that Information Technology has to offer to:
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broaden the range of teaching methodologies available to our teaching staff
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enhance the quality and range of learning opportunities available to our pupils
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to make learning opportunities available 24/7
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to increase parental involvement through enhanced information sharing
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to continually improve our ability to monitor and manage the School’s activities through improved management information systems.
The School had invested heavily in ICT equipment over many years and in 2007 had over 800 computers and 16 dedicated ICT suites. But this was just a start. In September 2007, a new Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for leading the development of the E-Learning agenda joined the School. Subsequently the school has gone onto build the largest Microsoft Learning Gateway and state of the art wireless system. We now have over 1000 computers and over innovative technology such as psps, R09s, Nintendo DSs and Wiis. In July 2009 we were awarded the Becta ICT mark a year ahead of schedule.
2010 will be an exciting time to be joining our eLearning team (which is also supported by our GBIT technical support department consisting of GBIT Manager, Devices Coordinator and two technicians) as we are constructing a cloud learning repository and blue screen recording studio.
To meet the increasing needs of the school for high quality digital learning resources, we wish to expand our GBIT Development department, which currently has a full time content/flash developer, with the addition of this post. The post holder will lead this small team and construct, develop and manage our Moodle VLE and the resources to embedded within it. The post holder will also work with staff, students, parents and other stakeholders to promote engagement and aid understanding.
Job Purpose:
To provide the technical expertise in .PHP and other coding to build, maintain and develop the school’s VLE and associated content, leading and managing an expanding team of development staff.
Main Duties:
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To provide expert PHP coding input, to help design and shape the School’s Moodle virtual learning environment.
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To recruit, develop, lead and manage the day to day work of the GBIT Development team ensuring that all performance targets are met.
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Work in conjunction with our flash developer to create unique flash resources driven by php databases.
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In consultation with teaching staff, to create bespoke resources, including videos, interactive media, blue screen technology, flash, software, podcasts, and database driven technology, depending on departmental and school needs.
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To promote increased use of innovative eLearning by teaching staff.
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Initially, working with the Assistant Head Teacher for eLearning to design and develop the school learning portal/gateway.
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Working with the Assistant Head and an external development company on the design of the Cloud Learning Repository (CLR). This will also include; uploading and tagging of existing content, development of new content and supporting staff with using the CLR.
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Developing and maintaining school websites, carrying out updates as and when required.
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Assisting in the creation of school promotional media and literature.
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Creation of whole school programmes to support leadership and monitoring and tracking of progress and attainment.
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Training and supporting selected students in developing their own media projects which may include, for example, newscasts, GBS TV, online radio etc.
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Populating and maintaining content on the school’s plasma screens
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Design/build email newsletters for potential partner schools.
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Design/build web sites for external clients as and when the need arises.
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Assist in the training of staff, students, parents or customers in the use of relevant software.
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To manage a budget and to meet annual performance indicators.
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To work in close partnership with the GBIT Support Manager and the Assistant Head Teacher for eLearning on the appropriate development of the School’s IT infrastructure.
All staff working in the school have a duty to safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of all children and young people for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact in the course of their duties.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the seniority of the post at the request of the Headteacher.
Person Specification:
Through past experience and/or qualifications, the post holder will be able to demonstrate their:
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Educated to A-level standard or equivalent
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Previous experience of developing web and print based resources in a similar role, with a portfolio of work to support their application (Applicants will be expected to demonstrate their skill prior and during the interview process)
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Some knowledge or experience of e-learning in an education context.
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Good understanding and familiarity with instructional design and related approaches.
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Must be able to code in PHP
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Other coding skills will be an advantage: HTML/XHTML/CSS/ASP and ASP.NET; Action Script
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Proficient in the following applications:
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Adobe Creative Suite v2/3 and InDesign packages
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Knowledge of Flash, Sharepoint, Silverlight and Javascript desirable
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Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
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Excellent interpersonal skills, including approachability and friendliness.
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High levels of self-motivation, a positive attitude and the ability to work under pressure.
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Ability to build positive relationships with young people based on mutual respect and leading by example.
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Professional, positive and flexible approach to work.
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Ability to work well as part of a team while maintaining responsibility for their own individual tasks.
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Ability to prioritise and structure their workload to meet tight deadlines.
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Ability to respond to speedy changes in technology and learn and apply new solutions.
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A good understanding of the role of those working in child care settings with regard to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of young people and a clear commitment to acting at all times in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of young people.
All candidates newly appointed to the School’s staff will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and any offer of appointment will be conditional upon appropriate clearance being obtained.
The following would be an advantage:
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Familiarity with VLEs, MLEs, PLEs, CMS. (Moodle experience an advantage.)
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Good understanding of accessibility requirements and SCORM compliance.
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Understanding of domain ontologies, meta-tagging and the semantic web.
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Understanding of programming, interoperability, usability and design issues.
Closing date for receipt of applications - Monday 1 February 2010.
For further information about the role and the School, feel free to call Steven Forster, the School's HR Manager, on 0121 366 6611.
To apply, visit the School's website at www.greatbarrschool.org.uk where the application form and guidance notes are available to download.