Farlingaye HIGH SCHOOL Headteacher: Dr A Sievewright
SCIENCE TECHNICIAN
Information for Applicants
November 2017 SCIENCE FACULTY
Farlingaye High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share and adhere to this commitment
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in this post of Science Technician . The Science Faculty at Farlingaye High School is an enthusiastic, friendly and very committed group of teachers and technicians. The Faculty work together as a team, sharing good practice, writing schemes of work and offering support to one another. We have high expectations of our students.
We are a Teaching School and have Maths, Computing and Arts Specialist Status. This has led to new resources across the school and increased opportunities for our students and the community. The Faculty has invested heavily in ICT resources over the last few years, including 3 sets of wireless internet connected laptops and an interactive whiteboard. There are projectors in every laboratory and new interactive whiteboards in 14 out of 15 laboratories.
Within the faculty we have strong links with our primary schools. We have supported the Year 3 Maths Day and the Year 5 ICT Day and organised lessons for Year 6 students. We do not believe that Science should be confined to the classroom and we offer a Science club, booster classes, trips and field trips for all our students.
Leading up to exams we offer a variety of revision sessions to GCSE and ‘A’ level students. These include after school and lunchtime sessions and taking party in school-run residentials.
Within Science we try to focus on exciting and creative lessons. Our Leading Edge status has enabled us to take part in some very exciting teaching and learning work. This is an exciting time to join the school and I hope you will feel that this is a place where you can develop your expertise and gain experience, whilst making a genuine contribution to the Science Faculty.
Farlingaye High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share and adhere to this commitment.
If you have any queries regarding this post please don’t hesitate to contact us on the school telephone number or by email at [email protected], or Clive Stevens, Senior Science Technician – [email protected]
Claire Moran and Simon Lucking Acting Heads of Faculty
AIMS AND VISION OF THE SCIENCE FACULTY
Our aims as Science teachers and technicians:-
1* to stimulate students and create an interest in Science so that the study of the subject is enjoyable and rewarding; 2* to help all students, irrespective of gender, race, culture or ability, develop to their full potential; 3* to maintain a safe, ordered and purposeful learning environment; 4* to develop experimental and investigative abilities; 5* to help students develop an informal interest in matters of scientific import in every day life; 6* to help students acquire a systematic body of scientific knowledge and be able to apply this to a rapidly changing world and environment in its widest context.
The Science Faculty is fully committed to continuing improvement in the quality of teaching and learning. Teachers have high expectations of all students and provide a supportive environment in which students are challenged and encouraged to develop to their full potential.
CURRICULUM
Key Stage 3
In Years 7 and 8, students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups. All groups have four periods per fortnight of 100 minutes. The students follow a scheme linked to the “Exploring Science” scheme of work which has been adapted in line with the recent changes at Key Stages 2 and 4. Our Key stage 3 curriculum is completed by the end of Year 8. Students start GCSE courses in Year 9 dependant on the appropriate pathway for them.
Key Stage 4
In light of the recent changes to the GCSE specifications, the current Year 10 and 11 are following either AQA Trilogy (Combined Science) or AQA Separate Sciences. Each half of the year group is split into sets by ability. The teaching team mostly teach their specialism at KS4, so most groups have three teachers or 2 staff.
A level
The number of students studying Science ‘A’ levels has gradually been on an upward trend. In each of years 12 and 13 there are 5 sets of students studying ‘A’ level Biology (AQA), 4 sets of students studying ‘A’ level Chemistry (OCR A) and 4 sets of students studying ‘A’ level Physics (OCR A). In addition, we have one group in each of years 12 and 13 sitting the modular OCR Applied Science A level. Students have very good access to staff and are supported well beyond the lab and lesson time with additional revision classes, breakfast sessions, holiday revision, conferences with chief examiners, etc and a well-developed Learning Gateway for all the courses.
Each ‘A’ level subject has 6 x 100 minutes of taught lessons per fortnight.
ACCOMMODATION, FACILITIES AND RESOURCES
The Science Faculty is housed in fifteen good quality laboratories, many of which have been purpose-built as balanced Science laboratories. All laboratories are at ground floor level, with a large Preparation Room (plus an additional Preparation Room in the Sixth Form block) and Team Room as the central focus. We also have a Resources Room for secure storage of Tests and ICT equipment. Each lab is equipped with basic glassware and equipment and we have upgraded our provision of electronic balances, each lab has a projector and wireless broadband access. In recent years all labs have been totally redeveloped on a rolling programme to bring them up to date, and they are looking excellent - students are really pleased to have lessons in them! .
The Faculty has 4 moveable suites of 16 laptop computers, accompanied by “data- harvest” data-logging equipment. It is also possible to book into more extensive computer facilities elsewhere in the school. With the achievement of specialist status these computing facilities have been further developed, including 14 interactive whiteboards, a projector in every lab and additional software for use at KS3, KS4 and A level courses.
We make very good use of the computer network shared area to have all our resources available to staff and students. We also use the Learning Gateway extensively with exam classes and for our video library. EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Science club runs for Years 7 and 8 and usually meets on a Tuesday lunch time. A level trips are organised regularly. Throughout the year the Faculty organises a lunchtime Science surgery, where students can get extra help with any aspect of their Science work. Revision sessions take place for GCSE and ‘A’ level students. The faculty also contributes to whole school events and the links with the primary schools including year 6 taster day and year 5 ICT day. In recent years we have also supported the National Biology week with a whole range of activities that students could sign up to including a trip to Colchester Zoo, a biology photography competition, several interesting dissections which proved to be very popular, a small mammal experience and a visiting speaker who brought in a range of reptiles and snakes and talked to lower school students. In 2015 we took a group of students to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands. In Physics we have run trips to local and national IOP lectures and in the recent past a trip to CERN to see the Large Hadron Collider.
STRATEGIES FOR RAISING STUDENT ATTAINMENT
Some of the strategies, which the faculty has used to raise student attainment, include:- Target cards for underachievers Lunchtime Science surgery Spring term revision classes Student self-assessment cards Student checklists for topics of work After school and lunchtime revision sessions for GCSE and A level students Extensive use of ICT modelling and revision software Well organised and developed Learning Gateway for use by all students Open access to all past paper materials we have available. THE POST: Chemistry Technician
HOURS: Full Time 37 hours (Part time also considered.) Monday to Friday, term time + 1 week 40 weeks per year
SALARY: Grade 3. Salary range from £17,772 to £20,138 per annum pro rata
ACCOUNTABLE TO: The Senior Science Technician and the Heads of Science.
DUTIES
Carry out maintenance and basic first line repairs of science equipment.
Using technician notes & recipe cards provide practical equipment including being able make up solutions for use in Chemistry practicals particularly A-level practicals.
Maintaining current systems of chemical storage & stock control in line with health & safety requirements.
Be familiar with CLEAPPS guidelines and keep informed of current health and safety issues.
Prepare all equipment and resources for use by teaching staff and students, including setting up demonstrations, if required.
Deliver/collect equipment and laptop trollies to the laboratories during break-times.
Clean equipment and laboratories after use, if necessary, which may include dealing with chemical spillages.
Ensure safe storage of laboratory equipment in line with health and safety regulations.
Load/unload dishwashers, washing up & basic prep room order.
Some out of school activities e.g. collection of specimens/shopping..
Responsibility for the general maintenance of labs and basic servicing of equipment
The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list but general guidelines to the post, and other duties of a similar level/nature may be undertaken by the postholder, and are not excluded from the post simply because they are not itemised. We need all technicians to be flexible in their approach to supporting the team in which they play an essential role. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential to basic Criteria Desirable performance of job Knowledge:
Technical or specialist Experience of Broad Understanding of technician work work areas and Chemistry ‘A’ level Science equipment Qualification or equivalent experience.
Practical knowledge required for setting up and use of equipment. Level 3 Science qualification
Literacy and numeracy Able to read and follow . policies and procedures.
Organisational Able to maintain basic records Knowledge of the school’s e.g. stock levels procedures specific to work environment.
Knowledge & use of Able to construct and, if equipment appropriate, operate scientific apparatus and equipment.
Mental Skills:
Research Able to use the internet for clarification on school practical work, health & safety guidelines etc.
Problem solving Able to diagnose and carry out straightforward repairs to equipment. Recognising when to refer to manager for further repair or replacement.
Thinking creatively / Able to assist in the Developing new ideas construction of equipment to aid students’ learning. Planning ahead Day to day planning – ensure deadlines are met, e.g. ensuring equipment / apparatus is set up for start of lessons.
Interpersonal & Communications Skills:
Training and / or Able to assist with induction presentation skills training of new technical staff.
Advising / guiding skills Able to provide accurate advice to staff / pupils in area of work.
Verbal and written Able to communicate mostly communications skills straightforward information (including use of to pupils, colleagues and languages) other staff.
Able to maintain basic records.
Able to contribute to technical meetings, if required.
Physical skills:
Keyboard skills / use of Able to use keyboard and mouse mouse as necessary.
Other manual skills Able to set up appropriate equipment to support lesson Able to follow recipe cards detailing the preparation of chemical solutions.
Other attributes:
Level of autonomy Must be able to work well in a team situation with minimal supervision once settled in.
APPLICATION PROCESS: If you are interested in this post, please return your application form to the school as soon as possible but by noon on 30th November 2017, at the latest. You should also include a written letter of application to the Headteacher. If you require any further information, please contact Clive Stevens, Senior Science Technician, or Mr S Lucking or Mrs C Moran, Joint Heads of Science, at the school. We can only accept applications completed on the school’s application form.
We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion.
The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification in order to be offered the post and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
At all times the Headteacher and governing body will ensure that safe recruitment practices are followed. At Farlingaye High School we require evidence of identity and original academic certificates. We do not accept testimonials and insist on taking up references prior to interview. We will question the contents of application forms during the interview if we are unclear about them, we will undertake enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks and use any other means of ensuring we are recruiting and selecting the most suitable people to work with our children.
Farlingaye High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share and adhere to this commitment.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
The purpose of the interview is to assess your suitability for the above post and give both the panel and yourself an opportunity to gain further information before making a successful appointment. It is also an opportunity to seek clarification on information which you have provided on the application form and accompanying information. The interview will assess your suitability to work with children and will include questions relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Please note that current or previous employers will be contacted as part of the verification process. We require two work-related referees to be listed on your application form and we will contact those referees before shortlisting.