Science Technician

Leigh Academy Blackheath has the perfect opportunity for someone with a specialism in Science. The academy is seeking to appoint a passionate and motivated Science Technician to provide technical support and assistance to our growing Science Faculty. Our first formal technician will play a key role in the smooth day to day running of our department, as well as having the opportunity to shape how the technical side of the department runs (including the setting up of a prep room), therefore, it is essential that our successful candidate is confident in providing technical assistance and student support in these areas.

This position offers an actual salary of £19,638 per annum (FTE £22,961) based on 37.5 hours per week and Term Time + 1 week of inset. Please be aware that part time hours can be offered to the right candidate and we ask you to state your preference upon application.

What we are looking for in our successful Technician:

• An academic qualification, at least to A Level but preferably to Degree level, within the Science remit
• If not an academic qualification, then experience working within a Science-related role would certainly be sufficient
• Practical experience within a school environment would be advantageous
• Good organisation and communication skills
• The ability to work well as part of a team as well as independently

What we can offer in return:

• An excellent opportunity for those strongly considering a career in teaching as training routes may be made available in the future
• The opportunity to work within a Faculty where our teaching staff are incredibly passionate about their subject area
• The opportunity for training and development
• The freedom to develop a Science Technical department.

Duties will include; setting up equipment in a laboratory environment for new classrooms, prep room and for practical lessons, the safe disposal of chemicals, responsibility for ionisation and radioactive materials, stock taking, retrieving and putting away equipment along with any other duties deemed necessary by the Faculty. Ideally, candidates should possess a good working knowledge of COSHH & CLEAPSS in order to maintain compliance with Health and Safety Regulations at the Academy.

Working at Leigh Academy Blackheath: We are a co-educational 11-18yr comprehensive school and, already oversubscribed, our new school is a beacon of excellence for secondary education in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We are driven by the belief that every learner is entitled to an enriching, varied and personalised education; delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum that provides challenge, irrespective of need, starting point or background. Our mission is to ensure all our students develop into powerful citizens of the digital future on both a national and global scale.

Our strong learning community works together and shares the value of collaboration; every member of our academy family works together to achieve success, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Our belief in ‘human-scale’ education, delivered through a schools-within-schools model, ensures every one of our students is known and valued. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of our academy and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Since opening in September 2018, Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB) has established itself as the local community’s preferred choice for their child’s secondary education. We have received over 1,000 applications for this September’s 180 Year 7 places, with nearly 300 first choice preferences. It is an exciting time to be joining our learning community.  

At LAB, everything we do is built upon our core values of: Respect, Integrity, Ambition, Scholarship and Resilience. We are a strong team and work hard together to ensure every student realises their full potential. Staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities both within the academy and across Leigh Academies Trust (LAT).  

Being a part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2020, our Trust will comprise 28 geographically organised academies (11 secondaries, 15 primaries and 2 special) educating over 16,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. We also have one further secondary academy in the development phase, due to open in September 2021. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training providers and a large teaching school. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.   

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust.  This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Recruitment and hiring during COVID-19: Despite the challenges we face, recruitment and hiring will continue for all Leigh Academies Trust vacancies with as little disruption as possible over the coming weeks and months. This is for all senior, teaching and support staff appointments. Applications will still be reviewed and interviews conducted in a timely manner, although interview activities will vary. If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch with the LAT Talent Team - talent@latrust.org.uk

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.