Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician 

Full Time, Term Time plus 5 days. Permanent. To start 6th January 2025

Salary: Pro-rata of points 6-9 of the Sixth Form Colleges Support Staff pay spine, currently £23,162- £24,442 per annum (Actual £20,676 - £21,819).

Committed and inspirational individuals, with a passion to deliver outstanding service are invited to apply for the Science Laboratory Technician post providing support to the preparation of practical lessons in Vocational Science and A level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Electronics.  You will be joining a team of Science Technicians based at our purpose-built science centre, which houses twenty-one modern specialist laboratories across four floors. Applicants should have some experience of working in a laboratory.

Oldham Sixth Form College

OSFC is an award-winning, nationally recognised college for 2,350 students in Oldham and beyond. Our broad curriculum enables us to offer more than 60 A Levels, vocational diplomas and T Levels. We are proud of our strong reputation for providing excellent academic and vocational education to a diverse range of students.

We have high aspirations for all our staff and students. Ofsted recently described our college as “outstanding” in leadership and management, student behaviour and attitudes, and student personal development. They also praised our college for its “calm, focused environment” and the “positive, mature attitude to learning” of our students. Inspectors said our “students feel comfortable and enjoy sharing their knowledge and working with their peers”. 

Our high-quality education programme provides the very best life chances for young people in our community. Our students achieve results in the top 15% nationally for A Levels and the top 30% nationally for vocational qualifications. Most progress to higher level study at university, with a smaller number progressing to apprenticeship programmes.

Just over half of our students take A Levels; just over a quarter study vocational programmes at Level 3 and around 340 choose a blend of Level 3 vocational and A Level programmes. Under 100 students study GCSE and vocational programmes at Level 2. 

We offer our students exceptional pastoral care, extensive enrichment activities and support from a team of Progress Tutors. In 2020, we were delighted to be recognised by Educate North’s Community Engagement Award for our Essential Life Skills programme. 

In our latest Ofsted report, inspectors praised the “high quality education” we provide and noted how our staff teach students critical thinking skills, encouraging them to ask questions and make judgments they can support with evidence.

We have been at the forefront of using technology within teaching and learning, supporting our own staff and other schools/colleges through an effective suite of CPD opportunities and training.  In 2022, the college was awarded Google Reference College status, the first sixth form college in the North of England to be recognised with the prestigious status, and one of only three sixth form colleges in the UK. ‘Google Reference status’ is awarded for the outstanding use of technology to drive positive learning outcomes and recognises the College’s use of G Suite for Education in innovative ways. In addition, all students are issued with a Chromebook at the start of the year which contributes significantly to preparing students for their next steps in education or employment.

We are very proud of the fact that OSFC is the only sixth form college nationally to be awarded Research School status (EEF’s Research Schools Network).  We are also the Delivery Lead for NPQs on behalf of East Manchester Teaching School Hub, a Science Learning Partnership Hub and a winner of a Curriculum Innovation Award for our work in delivering digital education.

The Pinnacle Learning Trust

OSFC was a founding partner in the Pinnacle Learning Trust. We celebrate students’ uniqueness and support our young people to flourish and become responsible, successful citizens who contribute positively to their communities. Our Trust invests in each member of staff, offering them professional development opportunities, including designation as Evidence Leads in Education for the Research School; delivery of school-to-school support; CPD facilitation and support for trainee teachers.  Staff have access to opportunities to develop their teaching practice, such as training on metacognition, virtual classroom coaching and retrieval practice. As a Trust, we celebrate diversity by encouraging an understanding of our communities, faiths and cultures. 

To apply, please visit our website: http://www.pinnaclelearningtrust.org.uk/Vacancies/

Advert Closing Date: 12 noon Wednesday 13th November 2024

Provisional Interview Date: W/C 18th November 2024

Additional Reasons to Join Us:

• Automatic enrolment into a Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work schemes available
• Various health and wellbeing benefits (including on site gym membership at Oldham Sixth Form College and The Hathershaw College)
• Free on-site parking
• Excellent opportunities for CPD and career development

Commitment to Safeguarding

OSFC is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment checks. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. OSFC is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and ethnic minorities.