Science Technician

HARRIS FEDERATION; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational organization in the City of Westminster is seeking a part-time Science Technician to support the Science Department by enabling the smooth running of practical classes. Candidates should hold A Level qualifications in physics, chemistry, or biology, possess knowledge of health and safety regulations, and have experience in educational settings. The role offers competitive pay ranging from £16,929.47 to £17,171.03 for 39 weeks per year at 25 hours per week.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Regular recognition of staff excellence

Protected time for examiners

Internal promotion opportunities

Qualifications

• A Level qualifications or equivalent in relevant subjects.
• COSHH training relevant to position.
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
• Experience as a technician in a school setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist and advise on classroom preparation for practical exercises.
• Ensure equipment and materials are ready for use.
• Advise on the safe use of equipment and tools.
• Assist in maintaining and repairing resources and equipment.
• Ensure care of plants and animals in science areas.

Skills

Technical support

Health and Safety knowledge

Knowledge of chemicals

Classroom preparation

Education

A Level in Physics, Chemistry or Biology

Job description

About the School

High achieving sixth form with multiple Russell Group Alumni (including University of Cambridge, Durham University and London School of Economics). Hugely oversubscribed in both Year 7 and Year 12, the 'Comprehensive of Choice' in a borough with several grammar schools. We believe that a happy and settled staff body helps drive the very best performance from our students. We are committed to a high-quality professional development programme and can draw on expertise from across the Harris Federation. As a HASU member of staff at any level you will receive the training and support that you need to carry out your role effectively and develop at a pace that suits you. We are committed to ensuring that our staff have the right level of balance between work and home life. Our policies and procedures are aimed at allowing our teaching staff to spend as much time as possible planning and delivering lessons. We work in an award‑winning building with excellent facilities. We run a broad and diverse curriculum to a fully comprehensive intake of students. Our focus on the core value of Integrity means that our behaviour is excellent, with staff supported by a strong and highly visible Academy Leadership Group. Detentions are run centrally, allowing teaching staff to do what they do best: plan and teach amazing lessons. Attendance and engagement with learning is high, and centrally planned tutor time resources ensure that our tutors can engage with students while delivering high‑quality experiences.

We are located in Sutton, with good public transport and road links. Central London (Clapham, Victoria) is 25 minutes away. Belmont station is just an 8‑minute walk and Sutton station a 12‑minute walk. We are on the Surrey border so journeys do not take long in fact journeys from Kent only take just over 30 minutes by car. We have safe and secure onsite parking with electric charging points.

Benefits

• Regular dialogue about workload and how to manage it effectively
• Protected time for examiners
• Internal promotion and progression opportunities
• Staff CPD breakfasts
• Harris subject networks
• Clear communication and manageable deadlines
• High‑quality staff induction programme
• Regular recognition and celebration of staff excellence
• Free on‑site parking
• Exemplary student behaviour
• All SLT teach
• Fully centralised behaviour system including rapid and effective support with any student behavioural issues

Position

We are looking for a part‑time Science Technician to provide technical support to the Science Department at Harris Academy Sutton, enabling the smooth running of practical classes and maintaining a safe working environment. The actual salary for this role will be £16,929.47 – £17,171.03 (39 weeks per year, 25 hours per week).

Responsibilities

• Assisting and advising teaching staff on the preparation and layout in classrooms for practical exercises, running trials of experiments, demonstrations and helping students with learning activities
• Ensuring equipment and materials are prepared to the teacher's specifications, including making up special equipment or modifying from existing equipment
• Advising students and staff on the safe and proper use of tools and equipment and on the correct and safe way to carry out learning activities
• Assisting in the safety, repair and general maintenance of all resources, equipment and tools, and advising where any maintenance or inspection is beyond your competence
• Ensuring the welfare and care of any plants and animals in the science area and the security of the equipment
• Ensuring understanding of science syllabus and schemes of work to prepare for practical lessons adequately
• Assisting with stock keeping
• Undertaking safety checks and risk assessments to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety, COSHH and other relevant legislation and school documentation
• Ensuring that all equipment and materials are stored safely, securely, and in good condition
• Safe disposal of used chemicals/hazardous waste
• Keeping up to date with health and safety regulations and with developments in practical science
• Working with other technical staff to assist in keeping areas neat, clean, tidy and in a safe condition in readiness for lessons, as well as cleaning and making safe spills, breakages and related incidents

Qualifications

• Qualifications to A Level or equivalent (A Level in either physics, chemistry or biology)
• COSHH training as appropriate
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety regulations
• Good understanding of a range of chemicals and their properties
• Experience or solid understanding of working as a technician in a school or educational establishment, undertaking a range of practical tasks
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload

Career Development and Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Next Steps