Physics Technician
The Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh, City of
- £21,850 per year
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 17/04/2023
- Apply by:
- 17 February 2023
Job overview
Package Description
The school prides itself on its warm and welcoming community, inclusive of all staff. Our teaching staff work alongside the operational teams to ensure the smooth running of the school. We value the contribution of all team members.
Through involvement in the co-curricular programme all those who work with us can bring their passions to work. Developing our talent is important to us. Access to training and professional development is available and encouraged.
In addition to salary and pension, our reward package includes:
- Free gym membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Benefits Programme including discounts to a number of major retailers, holiday, electric car and cycle to work schemes, as well as health and well-being option
- Fee discount
- Lunch is provided during term time
Job Introduction
As a member of the team in the Physics Department, the Physics Technician plays a key role in providing technical support for the delivery of the Physics curriculum and management of the Department’s resources.
This post is principally to support the Physics Department and thereafter to provide general support across all the sciences as required.
This appointment is full-time term-time plus 3 weeks. This represents a total of 39 weeks a year which is broken down as: 36 weeks of term time, one week of in-service training and a further 2 weeks during the school holiday period to be agreed with the Bursar.
Further details are available from Head of HR humanresources@edinburghacademy.org.uk or 0131 624 4911
Conditions of Appointment
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, verification of identity, proof of right to work and proof of any relevant qualifications.
Child Protection
The Edinburgh Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and at the enhanced level with Disclosure Scotland.
Equal Opportunities
The School is an Equal Opportunities employer, and welcomes applications for this post from appropriately qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, race or sexual orientation.
Main Responsibilities
To coordinate the use of practical resources and facilities, and provide assistance and advice in meeting the practical needs of the Physics curriculum:
- Preparation of resources, assembling apparatus.
- Trialling practical activities.
- Assisting in practical classes (as required) and carrying out demonstrations
- Giving technical advice to teachers and pupils, including other departments
- Liaising with technicians in other departments.
- Carrying out and maintaining records of risk assessments for technician activities.
- Repair/maintain equipment as required (soldering proficiency required)
- Organise and itemise prep rooms, including stock ordering (in collaboration with the Head of Physics)
Additional Responsibilities
- Adhere to, and ensure compliance with, the school's Child Protection policy at all times. If, while carrying out the duties of the post, the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risk(s) to the safety or welfare of children in the school, these concerns must be reported to the school's Child Protection Officer or the Rector.
- Radiological protection supervisor for School. Training for this can be provided if the candidate is not already qualified
- PAT test Physics Department items. Training for this can be provided if the candidate is not already qualified
The Ideal Candidate
Skills and Experience – essential:
- Good understanding of Physics principles and where to find answers
- Understanding of Health and Safety principles, particularly producing risk assessments and the handling of chemicals and radioactive sources
- Interest in young people’s learning and development.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; ability to build relationships with pupils and staff
- Precision and attention to detail.
- Willingness to continually update knowledge and skills. We are proud to have supported the current job holder with the completion of their degree and would welcome applicants looking for the opportunity to do similar.
Skills and Experience – desirable:
- Previous experience working as a Physics Technician in a school or working with a high level of practical content within the industry
- An interest in learning CAD/FDM Printing capabilities. The Physics Department has a 3D printer, and we are keen to utilise this equipment to its full potential
- Ability to use RPi Pico’s and code in MicroPython
About The Edinburgh Academy
The Edinburgh Academy
Introduction
The Edinburgh Academy is an academically selective, independent, co-educational day school for pupils aged 5-18 years with a reputation for being caring and friendly. It aims to provide co-educational excellence with a first-class all-round education to those of intellectual promise and academic potential, regardless of background, race or creed. The Edinburgh Academy aims to be forward-looking and progressive but also greatly values its long held traditions.
Although the School is not academically exclusive, the ability range of pupils is well above the national average. Great emphasis is placed on the pursuit of co-curricular interests alongside academic studies for all our pupils. The School has a strong reputation for individual attention and excellence in its pastoral care and co-curricular provision.
The School is oversubscribed at all entry points and this creates a competitive pressure on admissions places at the School.
School Background
The Edinburgh Academy is a fully co-educational school. The School consists of a Senior School containing approximately 590 pupils and a Junior School containing approximately 390 pupils, and we have a Nursery department of around 100 pupils. The School is a member of HMC. The Edinburgh Academy moved to full co-education across the whole school in 2008. Previously girls were only admitted in the Sixth Form (S5 and S6).
The Junior and Senior Schools are on separate sites, both of which have spacious grounds and sports facilities including extensive playing fields, an all-weather sports area, and a large Sports Hall and Centre.
The School’s Place in Edinburgh
The School was founded in 1824 and has been regarded as a leading educational establishment within the City of Edinburgh and across Scotland ever since. Original Directors included the leading literary names of their age such as Sir Walter Scott. Robert Louis Stevenson and James Clerk Maxwell were also pupils at the School. More recent Former Pupils (Academicals or ‘Accies’) include: Nicky Campbell - radio and TV broadcaster; Guy Berryman - bass guitarist with Coldplay; Will Whitehorn – past President of Virgin Galactic - Space Tourism Company; Mike Blair - Scottish rugby; Dragon’s Den star, James Ingham.
The Senior School occupies a site in Henderson Row, less than a mile from Princes Street and at the northern limits of the Georgian ‘New Town’, of which it was designed to be a part. The buildings include an iconic school hall and the James Clerk Maxwell Science Centre, which was completed in November 2006. The playing fields are about half a mile from the main buildings – Raeburn Place (8 ½ acres) (shared with the Academicals - Former Pupils), New Field in Inverleith Place (20 acres) and a further five acres at the Junior School and Nursery, also at Inverleith, with a 400 metre grass running track.
An investment programme in facilities of over £15m has in the last 5 years seen a new Junior School library and classroom block, 2 floodlight all weather pitches, a Performing Arts Centre at Senior School and new sports pavilions. A bespoke climbing wall facility was officially opened in 2015. The School has further ambitious plans beyond this current phase of development, which will see a wholescale redevelopment on our Senior School site over the coming decade.
The Edinburgh Academy is a highly regarded school within the local community, across Edinburgh and beyond. Staff and pupils take great pride in this reputation, and the commitment from all is evident in the continuing success and progress of the School.
The Edinburgh Academy is committed to sharing its facilities with the local community and has established a series of projects that provides the use of its estates and premises for the public good.
Further details about the School and its resources can be found on the School website - www.edinburghacademy.org.uk
Classes and Assembly
7ths (S6) and 6ths (S5) classes are organised by tutor groups studying either Highers, Advanced Highers or GCE A-level. Across the Senior School no teaching group consists of more than 24 pupils and many are substantially smaller.
A School Assembly is held at 8.50am each morning, and is attended by the whole school. School Services for the whole school are held on several occasions during the session.
Exam Results
The Edinburgh Academy uses both English and Scottish examination boards. Nearly all subjects now present SQA National 5 and Advanced Higher examinations. Each year, a significant number of our 7ths (S6) have conditional places at very competitively sought universities on the basis of their Advanced Higher/A-level and Higher results.
Yearly academic results can be found on the School website.
Games and Activities
At the Edinburgh Academy, sport offers opportunities at all levels. The PE curriculum is varied, encompassing a wide variety of team games and individual sports. The School runs teams in a large number of major and minor sports and encourages pupils to represent the School at one or more sports at any age group.
In Music, there are about 20 performing groups including orchestras, choirs, wind bands, a big band and several chamber groups.
In Drama, there are usually three or four main productions each year. There is a fully active LAMDA qualification schedule in acting, reading for performance, mime, public speaking and Musical Theatre in place. This occurs at break time and lunchtimes. In addition, the Drama and Music department liaise to produce an annual musical, with potential to increase this.
All pupils currently join the CCF or The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in 4ths (S3).
All members of staff are expected to play a full part in supporting the co-curricular life of the School.
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