Science Technician

The Independent Schools Council; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 9,200 - 11,000; Part time

Job summary

St Peter’s School in York is seeking a part-time Science Technician to support the Junior School science programme. You will prepare and maintain laboratory resources, assist teachers during practical lessons and help ensure safe, well‑ordered learning spaces.

The role focuses on organising equipment, sourcing materials, and delivering hands‑on science experiences for pupils from Years 1 to 6, with health and safety at the forefront.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a school science technician preferred.
• Able to work with staff and pupils in a classroom setting.
• Knowledge of health and safety in laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Organise and prepare equipment and resources for science lessons.
• Support delivery of practical science across Years 1–6.
• Maintain lab safety and tidy storage of materials and equipment.
• Assist teachers during practical classes and deliver demonstrations when required.
• Record keeping and stock management of science resources.

Skills

Organised

Detail‑oriented

Teamwork

Health & Safety

Job description

About the Role

St Peter’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by always complying with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. The successful applicant will be required to undergo statutory pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Post: Science Technician

Department: Junior School

Responsible to: Junior School Science Lead

Hours of work: 8:30am to 12:00pm Wednesday to Friday

Salary: £10,250 p.a.(Support Point 3 prorated)

The Department

The Science Department is a successful, vibrant and busy team that is committed to inspiring curiosity and a love of learning in all pupils. Comprising five enthusiastic class teachers, the department works collaboratively to deliver an engaging science curriculum that places practical investigation and hands‑on experiences at its heart. Team members are encouraged to teach in creative and innovative ways, ensuring lessons are enjoyable, accessible and memorable while fostering scientific thinking and enquiry skills.

Science is delivered throughout the school in ways that are appropriate to each phase. From Years 1 to 4, science learning is embedded within thematic topics, allowing class teachers to provide rich, practical experiences that bring scientific concepts to life. In Years 5 and 6, pupils benefit from a dedicated junior science programme which includes regular laboratory work centred on practical, hands‑on investigation. This approach enables pupils to develop confidence in using scientific equipment, carrying out experiments and applying their knowledge through meaningful and engaging experiences.

Overall Purpose

To coordinate the use of resources and facilities and provide assistance and advice in meeting the practical needs of the Science curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. We are seeking an organised, enthusiastic and proactive individual who will play a key role in supporting the effective delivery of science across the school. The successful candidate will ensure that resources are prepared, maintained and readily available to enable engaging, practical learning experiences for all pupils. They will take pride in creating an efficient and welcoming laboratory environment that supports both staff and students.

  Organise and prepare equipment and resources in line with the Science Scheme of Work.

  Put away scientific equipment following lessons, maintaining safe, tidy and well‑organised storage areas.

  Maintain a positive and stimulating laboratory environment, including updating and refreshing displays to celebrate learning and promote scientific curiosity.

• 2. The successful candidate will be a hardworking, organised and proactive individual who works closely with the Junior School Science Lead and Science teachers to support the effective delivery of the Science curriculum across the school. The role is central to ensuring practical science lessons are well resourced, safe and engaging, enabling pupils to benefit from high‑quality, hands‑on learning experiences.

  Coordinate with the Junior School Science Lead and Science teachers to organise, prepare and deliver equipment and resources required for the Science curriculum.

  Source, maintain and prepare materials and equipment for practical activities, including obtaining resources from the laboratory and ordering specialist items when required.

  Use the Scheme of Work to plan and prepare apparatus, materials and resources in advance of practical lessons.

  Deliver and set up equipment for Science lessons in laboratories for Years 5 and 6, and in classrooms for Years 1 to 4.

  Reorganise, clean and store equipment following practical activities, ensuring resources remain in good working order and are readily available for future use.

  Provide technical advice and support to teachers and pupils to enhance the delivery and understanding of practical science.

  Carry out risk assessments relating to technician activities and ensure that laboratory practices comply with relevant health and safety requirements.

  Assist teachers during practical classes, supporting pupils as required and helping to ensure lessons run smoothly and safely.

  Prepare and deliver practical demonstrations to support teaching and enrich pupils’ scientific understanding.

  Maintain laboratory and science resources in a safe, tidy and organised condition at all times.

• 3. A conscientious and dedicated individual who takes pride in maintaining a safe, efficient and well‑organised Science learning environment. The postholder will play a key role in supporting the delivery of practical Science throughout the Junior School, ensuring that laboratories, classrooms, equipment and resources are prepared to a high standard and comply with all relevant health and safety requirements. Working closely with teaching staff, the Science Technician will help create an environment in which pupils can participate confidently and safely in practical investigations, experiments and demonstrations:

  Actively contributing to the assessment, monitoring and review of both health and safety procedures and information resources

  Keeping up to date with current procedures and practices through continuing professional development

  The provision of technical advice and support on health and safety issues to teaching and staff

  The safe treatment and disposal of used materials including hazardous substances and responding to actual or potential hazards

  The healthy and safe storage and accessibility of equipment and materials

  Keeping up‑to‑date with health and safety requirements and with developments in practical science e.g. attending courses and reading publications

  Disposal of waste materials

  Checking fume cupboards, pressure vessels and first‑aid kits; carrying out electrical and other safety checks, etc. or ensure they are done by qualified staff/contractors

  Organising, storing and checking the condition of equipment

• 4. Under the guidance of the Head of Department to ensure that both routine and non‑routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment are carried out to the required standard:

  Collecting, checking and returning equipment to stores

  General laboratory cleaning of bench surfaces and fixed equipment

  General cleaning and repair of equipment.

  Report faults in electrical, gas, water fittings and building fixtures to the maintenance department and ensure that they are repaired in a reasonable time.

• 5. To assist St Peter’s Junior School or, St Peter’s Senior School with occasional, reasonable requests.

General

Health & Safety - You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, St Peter’s School’s Health and Safety policy.

School values – You have a duty to ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the school’s core values and mission. You will need to be aware and comply with school rules, policies and procedures at all times including, but not limited to, those relating to safeguarding, conduct, equality and data protection.

St Peter's School strives to be diverse and inclusive. We encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the school. The school is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and pupils. This means that employees are treated fairly, irrespective of sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, gender, marital status or other reason. The post holder is expected to always comply with the provisions set out in law and the St Peter's policies on equality and diversity.

The school is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Note: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities associated with the post. The post holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

This job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the postholder.