Job Description – Science Laboratory Technician

Feltonfleet School

Science Technician (part time)

February 2014

The Post

The Science Department is seeking to employ a part-time laboratory technician to work 18 hours per week during term time. Ideally this would be three-four hours per day in the mornings or afternoons, but there could be some flexibility in this. The role encompasses chemistry, physics and biology (including some care of animals). A knowledge of science is an advantage, however, the key attributes are a willingness to learn, to show initiative and take ownership of the role.

Closing date: Wednesday 5 February 2014

Feltonfleet School

Feltonfleet is a thriving, co-educational day and boarding prep school located near the A3 in Cobham, Surrey. There are 390 pupils on roll (year groups are up to 54, divided into three sets in every year from Year 3 upwards), of whom 80 are in the Pre-Prep, Calvi House. The School is set in 30 acres of woodland and grounds, and presents a marvellous working environment. It has charitable status and there is a board of Governors. The Headmaster is Mr Alastair Morrison, who joined Feltonfleet in 2012. There are 40 full-time teaching staff, and a large support team. 60 boys and girls are weekly or flexible boarders. We follow a Monday to Friday routine, with matches on Saturday mornings.

Feltonfleet enjoyed a highly successful ISI Inspection in November 2012, with the top rating of Excellent for every aspect of life here. As was recognised in that Inspection, the approach to teaching and learning is exciting, progressive, and challenging. Change is eagerly embraced by colleagues and pupils who share a passion for learning and finding new and better ways of doing things, and standards are high. Creativity, thinking skills and instilling a thirst for independent learning are at the heart of our approach.

The School provides an excellent framework for staff support and training which they seek for their professional development. INSET and courses are a strongly established culture within the School. Demand for places in the school is considerable. Science at Feltonfleet All children at Feltonfleet study science. In the Junior Department science is mainly taught by the class teacher in their own classrooms, although the children do make use of the laboratories on an ad-hoc basis. In the senior part of the school (Years 5 – 8) science is taught in two purpose-built laboratories. One of these has a good gas supply to the pupil benches for using Bunsen burners. The other lab has a demonstration bench with gas and water. Both rooms are used for teaching general science. There is a small preparation room with storage facilities, a sink, fridge-freezer and dish- washer. A large part of the role would be organising this space and keeping a check on levels of stock and ordering equipment, although the remit encompasses much more than just this. The main laboratory currently houses a gecko in a small vivarium and part of the role would involve helping to care for this (feeding and periodical cleaning of their tanks). Science teaching at Feltonfleet also makes use of the outdoor space including the woods where we have a small lake and bird hide.

As the children move up through the school the emphasis on biology, chemistry and physics increases. Most children work towards Common Entrance at 13+ which has three papers in each of the science disciplines. Some pupils sit academic scholarship exams and the level of this work is beyond the scope of GCSE.

Job specification – Science Technician

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of at least one science discipline – ideally to A-level standard. Experience of working in a laboratory environment would be an advantage, especially if this were in another school.

a. Accountable

 To the Head of Science

b. Responsible

 For carrying out a variety of technical and routine tasks to support the laboratory work of pupils. Mostly this involves preparation, management and maintenance of apparatus and other resources.

c. Key areas of responsibility

Generally  To manage the storage and organization of equipment in the prep room and in the two laboratories.  To co-ordinate equipment to meet the needs of a wide range of practical classes.  To ensure that appropriate health and safety procedures are followed.  To help pupils in practical lessons as necessary and as directed.

More specifically  Preparing equipment and materials for specific science lessons to ensure that there is sufficient apparatus / materials for all pupils and that it is accessible  Trialling experiments prior to classes  Cleaning and putting away after lessons  Washing and storing glassware  Ensuring correct disposal of chemicals and broken glass  Labelling and storage of equipment and materials  Routinely maintaining, cleaning and testing equipment  Photocopying  Help with display (mount work, print labels, laminate)  Ordering stationery for department as directed by Head of Science  Ordering science equipment as directed by Head of Science  Cataloguing and maintaining an inventory of equipment and materials

d. Person specification

Someone who

 enjoys working in a laboratory

 enjoys routine tasks

 is keen to learn new things

 is flexible and a good team player

 has a good sense of humour

 can show initiative and take ownership of specific tasks.

 enjoys working with children

 has an interest in science

 has some science qualifications, preferably to at least A-level

General responsibilities for a technician at Feltonfleet

 To attend meetings as directed and attend professional courses to enhance effectiveness and qualifications  To develop open, easy and professional relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues

 To comply with Health and Safety requirements

Other areas of School life

Feltonfleet is a busy place and occasional attendance at social and semi- formal events would be appreciated.

Salary and support The School is strongly committed to on-going training and development. Some training in the role of laboratory technician would be provided as necessary.

The role is for term-times only (approximately 33 weeks) and the rate of pay will be £8.75 per hour.

The successful appointee will also be entitled to the following;

 Lunch provided free of charge  Lab coat

This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in a well-established, developing and ambitious school. At a time when interest in the School, and demand for places is considerable, the future is very exciting.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The successful candidate will be expected to commit to the following;

The post-holder’s responsibility for promoting and safe-guarding the welfare of children and young persons’ for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety of welfare of children in the school s/he must report any concerns to the school’s child protection officer or to the Headmaster.

The successful candidate will be required to provide an enhanced CRB Disclosure. In seeking references on short-listed candidates the school may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications before interview. Any relevant issues arising from references will be taken up at interview. Applications

A brief letter of application, and a completed and signed application form should be addressed to the Head of Science, Simon Pomeroy, as soon as possible.

The Head of Science would be delighted to talk on the phone to any candidate who would like to know more about the post. He can be contacted either at the School (01932 862264) or by email [email protected]

Details of the post and application forms are available on the school web site - www.feltonfleet.co.uk - or from the Bursar’s PA, Mrs Julie Cardona - [email protected] – 01932 862264.

Interviews will take place during the week beginning 10 February 2014.

S Pomeroy January 2014

For more information please contact Simon Pomeroy (Head of Science) at Feltonfleet School: [email protected]