Design Technology Technician

Ipswich School; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in Ipswich is seeking a Design Technology Technician to provide technical support in the DT department. This part-time permanent position offers 25–35 hours per week during term time. Candidates should be organized, proactive, and possess strong communication skills. The salary is £19,866 per annum for 35 hours per week, with benefits including free meals and access to gym facilities.

Benefits

Free lunch during term time

Access to swimming pool and fitness gym

Wellbeing app for staff

Qualifications

• Experience in a school environment is a plus.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and advice to staff and students in the DT department.
• Prepare tools, equipment and materials for lessons and displays.
• Undertake a practical health and safety role for the department.

Skills

Organized

Proactive

Practical skills

Strong communicator

Team player

IT skills

Education

Experience in handling tools and workshop machinery

Job description

Overview

IPSWICH SCHOOL DESIGN TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN

Permanent, part time (up to 35 hours per week) during term time and some days in the School holidays. Required as soon as possible.

THE SCHOOL

Founded during the fourteenth century, Ipswich School is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. It has circa 1,000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 and is co-educational throughout. The most recent Inspection of the Senior School rated it as Excellent in all categories, a judgement of which we are very proud. The School operates a 5-day week, with representative sports played during the week and on Saturdays. This post is based in the Senior School. Find out more about us on the website: https://www.ipswich.school.

The Post

The post is based at the Senior School where there are approximately 780 pupils aged between 11 and 18 years, and is ideally due to start as soon as possible. We welcome applications from those seeking to work for the designated 35 hours per week during term-time, as well as from outstanding candidates who may be looking for a reduced working week, at a minimum of 25 hours. Please state your preference in your application.

The DT Technician reports directly to the Head of Design Technology and assists the four experienced, specialist DT teaching staff, working in an attractive Design Technology Centre on two floors. The DT will enable the workshop to operate efficiently by ensuring that it is a well-organised, safe environment with appropriate materials and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and advice to staff and students in the DT department.
• Prepare tools, equipment and materials for lessons and displays.
• Undertake a practical health and safety role for the department.

Person Specification / Qualifications

You must be organised, proactive and practically-minded, with experience in the safe handling of tools and workshop machinery. Experience working in a school environment and a strong understanding of health and safety legislation are a plus, as are strong IT skills. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and a confident team player who enjoys helping students and takes pride in their progress.

Hours, Salary and Benefits

• This is a permanent post (subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period lasting 6 months).
• The hours of work are from 8:45am to 4:45pm on Mondays to Fridays during Ipswich School term time (35 weeks per annum) with a one hour unpaid break for lunch (7 hours per day, 35 hours per week). Some flexibility with start and finish times may be possible. A total of 5 other days will be worked at the beginning or end of term, as directed by the Head of Design Technology.
• Please note you are always expected to work your normal hours on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time.
• Holidays may only be taken during Ipswich School holiday periods, and at times to be agreed outside of the requirements above.
• The salary for this post (for the hours as described above) will be £19,866 per annum and includes the holiday pay per annum as required by the Working Time Regulations.
• We welcome applications from those seeking to work for the designated 35 hours per week during term-time, as well as from outstanding candidates who may be looking for a reduced working week, at a minimum of 25 hours. Please state your preference in your application. Please note that the quoted salary is for 35 hours per week.
• Salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month throughout the year and are reviewed annually.
• Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.
• Staff are able to use the School's swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
• You will have access to Smarthealth, the School's wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support.
• After 3 months' service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, the post holder will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution and life cover.

CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Completed application forms, which are available at https://www.ipswich.school/vacancies or by contacting HR on 01473 408300 / [e-mail] should be returned by noon on Thursday 25 September 2025 to: The Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG. If you are submitting your completed application form electronically please email it to: [e-mail]. Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us. Interviews are likely to take place from the week commencing Monday 29 September 2025. If selected for an interview, candidates will be expected to bring evidence of work completed which would best demonstrate their skills and suitability for this post. If we have not been in touch with you by mid October, then we regret that your application will have been unsuccessful, but we would like to thank you for your interest.

PLEASE NOTE Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.