Senior Science Technician

About the role:  Longfield Academy has a fantastic opportunity to appoint a suitably experienced Senior Science Technician to join and lead a well-motivated and successful team within the Science Faculty. Applicants should have a minimum qualification of an A-Level in science or equivalent, and relevant experience in a school setting.  We require the successful applicant to be either first aid qualified or prepared to take the qualification within the first six months of appointment. 

Career and professional development opportunities are available not only at Longfield Academy but also across the wider Trust which is why this is such a great opportunity for those of you keen to learn from the highly skilled colleagues around you!  

Duties/responsibilities include the following;

• Preparing, issuing and setting up apparatus, materials and solutions for use in practical activities. Retrieving, clearing away and checking apparatus after use.
• Setting up, and on occasions carrying out demonstrations to support teachers in lessons.
• Suggesting alternatives to requested practical activities where equipment might not be available and adapting/modifying equipment to suit different purposes.
• Participating in the development of practical activities including constructing apparatus, trialling practical work and providing feedback.
• Providing technical advice and assistance to teachers and students. Assisting in practical activities as appropriate.
• Organisation and storage of equipment, apparatus and materials (including chemicals) in accordance with CLEAPSS guidance.
• Disposal of waste laboratory materials including chemical/microbiological/animal waste in accordance with CLEAPSS guidance.
• Carrying out /arranging for the maintenance and repair of apparatus and equipment; keeping appropriate records.
• Ensuring the maintenance of laboratory services and facilities, liaising with the Site Team as appropriate.
• Setting up and maintaining science department resources including plant and animal collections.
• Ensuring stock levels maintained and stock checks carried out, making local purchases for the department and keeping appropriate petty cash records.
• Managing the prep room; including the time and workflow of the other science technician(s).
• Ensuring that the department’s technician service operates within departmental, school and statutory health and safety requirements.
• Maintaining budget records, placing orders and checking deliveries, monitoring all department spending and advising the Head of Science of any action necessary.
• Advising the Head of Science on safety matters and personnel matters, actively participating in the recruitment of technician staff and induction of new technicians.
• Attending science technician professional development sessions and meetings throughout the Trust and liaising with other Trust schools and their technicians to find solutions and share equipment.
• Assisting with the planning, preparation and, where possible, the supervision of activities in the science department on Open Evenings.

Working with us at Longfield Academy:  Longfield Academy is a friendly and supportive working environment with innovation and collaboration at the heart of everything we do. The academy opened in September 2008, replacing Axton Chase School. Since then student outcomes have rapidly improved; in May 2018 we were judged as a 'Good' school with an 'Outstanding Sixth Form provision - a highly deserved accolade.  

The school is heavily oversubscribed in Year 7 and has a large and growing Sixth Form. In recent years, Longfield Academy moved into its brand new £25m building with state of the art facilities for learning across all subject areas. Its subject specialisms are in Science and Arts. Particularly innovative are its home access iPad 2 scheme and Bistro called 'The Telescope', which is open to the public every week and run by students.  At the same time, it has a thorough and robust approach to school improvement and is well on course to becoming a truly Outstanding school.

Diversity at our core:  As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals we all bring something unique to the role regardless of age, gender, race, beliefs or disabilities which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise.

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.