Laboratory General Assistant

John Whitgift Foundation; London Borough of Croydon; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (money purchase)

Employee Discount Club

Healthcare plan

Discounted school fees for permanent/©

Job summary

John Whitgift Foundation's Whitgift School is seeking a Laboratory General Assistant to provide practical support to the Science Technical Team. You will help ensure laboratories and preparation areas are organised, well-stocked and ready to support safe, effective delivery of practical science lessons.

Key duties include cleaning, maintenance and storage of glassware and equipment, monitoring stock levels, supporting waste streams and upholding Health & Safety, COSHH and department procedures.

Qualifications

• Reliable and proactive individual with the ability to work independently or in a team.
• Experience with laboratory environments is beneficial, including handling glassware and equipment.
• Commitment to Health & Safety, COSHH and departmental procedures.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning, maintenance and storage of laboratory glassware and equipment.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with stock reordering.
• Support waste disposal processes and maintain cleanliness and safety across science facilities.
• Assist technicians and teaching staff to ensure smooth daily operations.

Skills

Reliability

Proactivity

Teamwork

Job description

Permanent, Full-Time, Term-Time only Contract

Salary: The full-time salary is Point 18 - £33,147 to Point 20 - £34,904 gross pay per annum depending on qualifications and relevant experience. The pro rata salary range is £26,517 to £27,923 to reflect Term Time only.

Whitgift is one of Britain’s leading independent boarding and day schools for boys aged between 10 and 18 years, with approximately 1500 pupils and over one hundred boarding or flexi-boarding pupils. It is set in an attractive 48-acre parkland site in South Croydon enjoying excellent links to London, Surrey and the south coast.

The Laboratory General Assistant will provide practical and operational support to the Science Technical Team, helping to ensure laboratories and preparation areas are organised, well-stocked and ready to support the safe and effective delivery of practical science lessons. Key responsibilities include the cleaning, maintenance and storage of laboratory glassware and equipment, monitoring stock levels, supporting waste disposal processes and maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety and organisation across science facilities. Full training will be provided for duties requiring specific laboratory knowledge or procedures.

The successful candidate will be reliable, proactive and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a busy environment. They will contribute to the smooth day-to-day operation of the Science Department by supporting technicians, teaching staff and departmental activities, whilst maintaining compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH and departmental procedures. Success in the role will be measured through the consistent maintenance of clean and safe laboratories, timely preparation and turnaround of equipment, accurate stock management, positive feedback from colleagues, and a flexible, professional approach to supporting the wider life of the School.

In return, we offer a generous benefits package, including a money purchase pension scheme (with Life Assurance), access to an Employee Discount Club, membership of a healthcare plan, discounted school fees for permanent posts within the Foundation, and a supportive working environment with opportunities for training and development.

We welcome applications from all parts of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake.

Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Where applicable, applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service, online media checks and overseas checks. It is an offence to apply for a role at the School if you know that you are barred from regulated activity with children.

All roles within the School involve contact with children and are therefore classed as regulated activity. Child protection and safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers in our school. All staff must be committed to providing a safe environment for children and supporting the School’s safeguarding ethos.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to interview.