Design & Technology Technician (Innovation & Design)

Rickmansworth School is an 11-18 heavily oversubscribed co-educational partially (35%) selective academy with approximately 1515  students on roll, increasing to around 1575 students over the next 2 years. Academic results are strong at KS4 and KS5 with the vast majority of students securing their first choice university destinations. We believe every child deserves the best and we aim to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life. 

The School is in a very strong, stable financial position with over £6M recently spent on school expansion including a new Sixth-form centre, performing arts theatres and an Innovation & Design Centre. The School is also supported extremely well by a fantastic PTA and Foundation. Our outstanding staff well-being programme includes fortnightly well-being periods, access to our fitness suite and swimming pool, flu vaccinations and complimentary eye tests. 

Following the ‘resurrection’ of Technology provision at Rickmansworth School, we are looking to expand the current team who very recently acquired a brand new Innovation & Design Centre. The new Centre boasts two multi-use Technology workshops, a robotics/STEM workshop and a prep room. The final phase of the Innovation & Design upgrade programme will occur in Summer 2023 with the £100K investment in the refurbishment of our Food Technology room. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Design & Technology Technician (Innovation &  Design) primarily, to ensure that the requirements for the department are effectively met by the ordering, maintaining and preparation of equipment and materials for lessons. The D&T Technician will undertake a practical health and safety role for the department, alongside working with teachers and students, as directed by the Head of Department.

For the right candidate there is an opportunity to teach Food Technology for 1 day per week (0.2 FTE) in addition to this position. The School’s admissions criteria gives preference to staff members’ children (as there is a demonstrable skill shortage for this post, the successful candidate could apply for a priority admission place for their own child)

We are seeking highly motivated applicants with an ability to multi-task and a proven track record of key elements of the role. Experience in a similar role within the education sector is preferable but training will be given to outstanding candidates with the suitable skill set obtained in other sectors.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a sound understanding of current Health & Safety guidance and legislation relating to safe working practices in technology 
• Ensure students are at the centre of planning and teaching
• Focus on teaching and learning and supporting the department to run effectively 
• Enable colleagues to provide  students with a full curriculum 
• Engage and empower students with the skills to thrive as independent learners, supporting them in accessing skills related to the technology curriculum 
• Contribute to department planning for learning; this includes ordering and maintaining department supplies, equipment and resources. 

We can offer you:

• Excellent CPD opportunities
• A school rated Good by Ofsted where students’ behaviour is exemplary
• A professional working environment where teamwork is highly valued
• A partially-selective school with a focus on academic achievement (Progress 8 in 2022 was +0.53)
• Admission criteria where preference is given to staffs’ children
• A school which invests heavily in the future with £6M recent school expansion and strong ongoing financial support from our Foundation and PTA
• A hugely talented and cohesive support staff
• Potential for flexible working hours, aligned with the department need 
• An outstanding wellbeing programme offering: 
• Flu jabs 
• Free access to our first-class fitness suite and swimming pool 
• Complimentary eye tests

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and are an equal opportunities employer.  Applicants must declare any criminal convictions and submit to a check with the Disclosing and Barring Service as the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Further details can be obtained from the website www.rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk, by calling the School on 01923 773296 or by email to applications@rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk.

We are required for only shortlisted candidates  to conduct online searches about an applicant as part of our shortlisting process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance 2022  in order to identify any incidents or concerns which are publicly available online.  On signing the declaration on application  you will be agreeing to the  acknowledgement  that such searches will be conducted as part of the shortlisting process.

Deadline for applications: 08:00 Wednesday 07 June 2023

Interviews: W/C Monday 12 June 2023  (or sooner on receipt of application)

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.