Science Technician

We are looking for a Science Technician to provide technical support to the Science Department at Harris Science Academy East London, enabling the smooth running of practical classes and maintaining a safe working environment.

About Us

Are you ready to change the world? Harris Science Academy East London is a new, small school with big ambitions. We are in the top 3% of schools nationally for year on year improvement and in the top 20 most improved schools in London. Join us on our mission to help our children become leaders in their chosen field with many leading in science and to become one of the top schools in the UK.

This is no ordinary school. Situated in an eclectic array of buildings next to the renowned Three Mills Studios (location of BBC's Masterchef) amongst the iconic East London canal network, this is a unique setting to provide a life changing education for the children of East London.

We believe we will succeed in this mission through a relentless focus on the basic functions of a high performing school:

1. Unified leadership and alignment behind a powerful mission.
2. Exemplary student behaviour.
3. A well-taught, unapologetically academic education for all children.
4. Regular opportunities for character development.

Every member of our school community is a leader. We believe that leadership does not have to be macho or at the expense of others. Our values of GRACE help us to achieve success in a collegiate and sustainable way:

• Growth – the belief that we can always improve and that feedback from others is essential for our development.
• Responsibility – we own our decisions and recognise when we need to put things right or make a change.
• Ambition – the belief that access to the top grades, the best universities and elite careers are available for our children.
• Compassion – we are kind to others and grateful for what we have.
• Excellence – we prioritise doing the basics well day after day, so we build habits that lead to success.

The school joined the Harris Federation in September 2022. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students secured a positive progress score in 2022. We are hugely proud of the work we do to support the most vulnerable children in the UK. The Federation has made a significant financial investment in the Academy, with upgrades to Sixth Form provision, buildings and IT. The Federation subject consultants provide industry leading support to middle leaders to deliver the best education possible for all children across the Federation.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting and advising teaching staff on the preparation and layout in classrooms for practical exercises, running trials of experiments, demonstrations and helping students with learning activities
• Ensuring equipment and materials are prepared to the teacher's specifications, including making up special equipment or modifying from existing equipment
• Advising students and staff on the safe and proper use of tools and equipment and on the correct and safe way to carry out learning activities
• Assisting in the safety, repair and general maintenance of all resources, equipment and tools, and advising where any maintenance or inspection is beyond your competence
• Ensuring the welfare and care of any plants and animals in the science area and the security of the equipment
• Ensuring understanding of science syllabus and schemes of work to prepare for practical lessons adequately
• Assisting with stock keeping
• Undertaking safety checks and risk assessments to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety, COSHH and other relevant legislation and school documentation
• Ensuring that all equipment and materials are stored safely, securely, and in good condition
• Safe disposal of used chemicals/hazardous waste
• Keeping up to date with health and safety regulations and with developments in practical science
• Working with other technical staff to assist in keeping areas neat, clean, tidy and in a safe condition in readiness for lessons, as well as cleaning and making safe spills, breakages and related incident

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to A Level or equivalent (A Level in either physics, chemistry or biology)
• COSHH training as appropriate
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety regulations
• Good understanding of a range of chemicals and their properties
• Experience or solid understanding of working as a technician in a school or educational establishment, undertaking a range of practical tasks
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload.

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.