Art Technician (Job share/Part-time - Term-time plus 3 weeks during the school holidays)

THE SCHOOL:

Merchant Taylors’ School is a large Independent Boys’ School, situated in 286 acres of parkland in Northwood, Middlesex. The School was founded in 1561, is owned by the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust and moved to its present site in 1933. There are four distinct boys’ day schools on campus. The Nursery, the Pre-Pre & the Prep cater for 340 boys, while the Senior School has some 930 pupils. The School employs over 140 teachers and 160 Support staff across Merchant Taylors’ School.

ART DEPARTMENT:

Merchant Taylors’ School Art Department is an exciting and dynamic place to work – the department is extremely popular and successful. We require a highly organised and disciplined person to manage the auxiliary aspects such as ordering and organisation of stock, preparation of facilities for daily use, assistance with displays, small-scale DIY tasks; preparing canvas and stretchers for painting and ensuring the efficient management of all tasks.

The role would suit a range of practical skillsets, from school leavers to recent graduates to practising artists. As a member of the non-teaching staff, the incumbent is accountable to the Bursar for the proper performance of duties. The Technician’s day-to-day activities will be supervised by the Head of Department.

As part of the job share arrangement and to ensure a smooth transition of support provided to the Art department across the working week, daily task allocation will be coordinated through the Art Technician engaged on 3 days a week. The requirement for effective communication and planning as part of the weekly handover between both Art Technicians is essential.

THE ROLE:

The role would suit a range of practical skillsets, from school leavers to recent graduates to practising artists. As a member of the non-teaching staff, the incumbent is accountable to the Bursar for the proper performance of duties. The Technician’s day to day activities will be supervised by the Head of Department.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

Support to Teaching Staff

• Prepare each studio for the day/activity as required

• Daily assistance to staff as required – as far as possible this should be scheduled & agreed

• Assist boys with technical assistance where appropriate/possible (eg: Photocopying)

• Cutting of canvas ready for stretching

• Management of Oil Paint and Turps supplies

• Readying of pallets & brushes

• Canvas stretching

• Loading and unloading the kiln.

Resource Management

• Referral of ITC, electrical, mechanical breakdown etc, to the appropriate Dept, agreed with the Art Head of Department

• Readying equipment and materials for lessons as required by staff

• Library management

Display

• Dismantling ‘previous’ exhibitions

• Readying spaces for ‘next’ show

• Assist with School Exhibitions

Studios Management

• Checking of stock in the studios

• Tidying and sorting at appropriate times. Clean-down of surfaces after/before lessons or as required

• Health & Safety

Creative assistance etc.

• Photocopying

• Photographing

• Occasional support/assistance to pupils on a 1:1 basis where possible or appropriate

School Tasks

• Assistance to other members of staff

Stock Control

• Monitoring use of all stock items

• Ensuring storage areas are well managed

• Creating orders using standard system

• Requesting COSHH information from suppliers

• Unpacking and sorting deliveries

• Checking invoices

• Replenishing stocks in studios

• Updating the budget balance and school billing.

Weekly

• Monday Morning stock check in each studio

• Replenish paper towels & soap in each studio

• Monitoring of paper stocks in all Studios & the ITC suite & Photocopier

Cleaning & Tidying, Health and Safety

• Help to maintain a clean, tidy and safe environment

• Organising for removal of any hazardous materials (eg: broken glass)

• Maintaining proper measures of control for COSHH items

• Monitoring and ensuring hardware/equipment is in good safe working order

• Regularly awaiting/reviewing H&S issues with the Head of Department

Misc:

• Answering of telephones

• Passing on messages

• Occasionally assisting the other auxiliary staff (eg: stretcher making, moving of sculpture)

• Assist in the construction of Canvas Stretchers and other carpentry with Maintenance Department

Ethos

• Having a sense of ownership and control over areas of responsibility. Taking pride in ensuring that the department functions smoothly and efficiently. Being a team player and making a meaningful contribution.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent). Relevant qualification in Art would be desirable.

• Relevant technician experience, working within an educational environment would be desirable but not essential.

• Experience and knowledge of using design technology equipment and Working at Heights training would be useful

• Strong planning and organising skills, with ability to multi task and prioritise effectively within a busy and demanding working environment.

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team

• Customer focused approach.

• Enthusiastic and self-motivated

• Ability to follow safe working practices

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to approach all matters with discretion and professionalism

For the right candidate there may be broader opportunities to gain experience in other parts of the School as well as the possibility of assisting with teaching in the Department.

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

It is the post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the Head Master

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

Start Date: Late August 2023

Hours: Term time/Job share (35 weeks plus 3 weeks during school holidays per year)

Monday and Tuesday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (flexible by arrangement) including 1 hour unpaid lunch

Holidays: This is a term time only position (Job share) plus three weeks during the School holidays.

Salary: £7812 - £9022 per annum (dependent on qualifications, skills and experience)

15% employer contribution to a defined contribution pension scheme (Contributory)

Life cover 4 x annual salary and income protection.

Access to a cash flexible benefit in lieu of pension contribution

Access to a number of lifestyle benefits including Cycle to Work, ULEV cars, health screening, medical cover and retail discount vouchers via our benefit provider

 (all of the above subject to eligibility criteria)

Use of School leisure facilities, including pool, gym and lake.

Lunch provided free of charge when the School Catering Department is open

Free parking on site.

Other: All appointments are subject to a satisfactory medical disclosure and a

routine check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Closing Date: Monday 5th June 2023, 9am

Interviews: Thursday 8th June and Friday 9th June 2023