Science Technician

Salary Grade: RIDNJC C
Salary Band: £18,933 - £19,698 FTE per annum
Actual Salary: £16,208 - £16,863 per annum
Location: The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College
Contract Term: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 31st October 2021
Interview Date: Thursday 11th November 2021
Hours: 37 hours per week, 39 working weeks, 44.64 paid weeks
Start: September 2021

About the Opportunity:

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Science Technician to join our hard-working team, dedicated to supporting the teachers in the Science Department.  Our team provides practical Science activities appropriate to the national curriculum for years 7 to 13 (GCSE and A-level).  

This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant department in hugely successful school. The Ridgeway School is passionate and committed to ensuring that our curriculum is engaging and inspiring, with high levels of creativity and innovation in our teaching and learning.

The school has a strong academic reputation that has gone from strength to strength and shows the hard efforts of staff and students. The Science Department is the largest department in the school with 14 laboratories and 17 Science teachers, which is supported by a Senior Technician and two Science Technicians.  This high level of support reflects the demand for technician services and the commitment of the management in providing real practical experience for the students to underpin the Science curriculum. 

You will be using lesson plans and meetings to prepare the equipment and resources for demonstrations and class practical activities in Chemistry, Physics and Biology.  Where requested you will provide technical assistance to teachers and students.  You will promote the awareness of health and safety in the laboratory, and show commitment to the safeguarding of students.  

The role involves handling chemicals and preparing solutions and microbiology cultures. Carrying equipment and resources to classrooms prior to class and collecting afterwards.  General housekeeping duties include hand washing glassware, returning used stock to correct storage areas and disposing of waste (The Ridgeway School is a member of Cleapss and follows guidance on COSHH).  Repair and maintenance of equipment and management of stocks and resources.

The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College is committed to ‘Inspiring learners for their future’. We are an ambitious 11-18 school with 1650 students, 230 of which are Sixth Form. The school lies just south of the M4 between junctions 15 & 16, and within easy travelling distance of Bath, Bristol and Reading.

Our ideal candidate will be:

Have GCSE English and Maths, grade A* - C or equivalent

Experience within a Science environment

Qualifications reflecting skills in science, i.e. GCSEs, A-level, NVQ or Degree in a Science based subject, though this is not essential

A passion for Science

Commitment to the safeguarding of students

Proven ability to work on own initiative both independently and as part of a team

Experience working with technical equipment. Maintenance and calibration.

Able to manage a busy workload with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Have excellent organisational skills, be flexible and have a calm approach when engaging with others and tasks

We can offer you:

An attractive working environment with excellent facilities and supportive families;

A committed, hardworking and supportive team;

100% focus on improving outcomes for the children in our school;

A group of children with a passion for learning.

More information about the school can be found on our website www.ridgewayschool.com.

Benefits:

We know that your role requires you to put a lot of time and effort into it and because of this we believe you should be rewarded. As a White Horse Federation employee you will have access to benefits listed below.

Some benefits are accessible by all staff irrespective of their contract type (T). Some are only eligible to permanent (P) employees following a successful probation period as noted:

•  Car Purchase scheme (P)

•  Perkz discounts (P&T)

•  Discounted gym membership scheme (P&T)

•  Hire purchase Cycle to Work scheme (P)

•  Childcare vouchers (P&T)

•  Free and confidential advice, information and counselling service (P&T)

•  Excellent Pension scheme (P&T)

Why Work With Us:

The White Horse Federation (TWHF) is a not-for-profit multi-academy trust that supports and sponsors many primary, secondary and special schools across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Its shared vision for excellence through partnership means it is also committed to keeping the best of what makes a local school great – in other words, the type of schools where TWHF colleagues would be proud to send their own children.

TWHF combines a relentless drive for academic excellence with a shared moral purpose and shared values, while ensuring that fun and happiness are a key attribute of each of its schools. TWHF believes that partnership-working with its schools, pupils and their parents, as well as the wider community, helps create the best possible outcomes for all children.

TWHF empowers its colleagues through support, training and career opportunities to recruit and retain outstanding staff who are leaders in their field. That way TWHF can ensure that every student achieves their full potential, regardless of background, culture, heritage or ability.

TWHF has an absolute commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS. The Trust values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

TWHF recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a team which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. TWHF values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment; which at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010, TWHF welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.