Science Technician

Science Technician

Closing date: Sunday 8 September 2024 Midnight

Interview: Week Beginning Monday 9 September

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: £26,267 - £31,000 FTE depending on skills and experience

Term Time only

About United Learning

United Learning is a unique group of independent and state schools working together to achieve the best in everyone. Our vision is to provide excellent education so that all young people are able to make a success of their lives and, if we are to realise this vision, we need to make sure we attract, develop and reward the key ingredient – you.

Job Introduction

We seek an outstanding and innovative Science Technician to join a dynamic and supportive department, supporting science lessons across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. You will have the opportunity to share expertise across a growing group of Academies and independent schools within United Learning.

We know that outstanding Science Technicians have transferable skills and are confident and effective in all aspects of their role, but we also recognise that you will need support and challenge so that you can grow to be the best you can be – we will make this happen.

You will relate to the Academy’s ethos of “the best in everyone” and enjoy working with a rich, diverse group of young people in a dynamic and vibrant learning environment. Walthamstow Academy is sponsored by United Learning. As part of the largest group of Academies and independent schools, we offer outstanding professional development and career progression across both the maintained and independent sector.

To conclude, we need someone who is passionate about making a difference, please get in touch if this is you.

Main Responsibilities

•                    to provide support for students’ learning in laboratories and classrooms under the supervision of a qualified teacher, assisting students across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 with experiments

•                    to prepare, issue, receive, monitor, maintain and store resources used within the department

•                    to prepare apparatus, equipment and materials for use in classrooms and laboratories as requested and clear it away afterwards ensuring safe disposal of waste

•                    to design, develop and maintain long-term experiments and projects as well as specialist resources as directed

•                    to care for and maintain the security and appearance of all laboratories and work areas including the care and maintenance of services, stores, equipment, drainage systems, working surfaces, fume cupboards etc.

•                    to provide technical advice on health and safety issues to staff and to students within the Science department and contributing to whole academy policy and practice on health and safety

Working for us

Walthamstow Academy opened its impressive new building in 2006 and since then we have achieved excellent results both at GCSE and at A Level. In 2023, Walthamstow Academy students achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.49. At A-Level, our students achieve excellently with many of them progressing to Russell Group institutions. Because we are so successful, the school is now full and oversubscribed on first choices alone.

We do not achieve these results by accident. At Walthamstow Academy, we believe in the best in everyone. We have a relentless focus on high expectations and aim to identify barriers to success and provide necessary support as quickly as possible to ensure our students achieve. We do not accept excuses and always strive for the best.

The Academy is proud of its multi-cultural character, and we celebrate the diversity of heritage in our community. 90% of our students are from minority ethnic groups, many coming from African, Caribbean, Eastern European, Turkish and Pakistani communities. Within the community served by the Academy there is social and economic disadvantage with 35% of students being eligible for Pupil Premium. Almost 60% have a first language other than English and a significant number have low levels of literacy on entry. Many students enter the Academy with low levels of attainment and the staff work hard to add value to their performance. Standards across the Academy are above national averages in most subjects.

The Academy is located close to the North Circular Road, M11 and both Blackhorse Road and Walthamstow Central underground stations from where it takes about half an hour to get into central London. The Academy is situated in a part of London where property prices are still relatively inexpensive and within easy access of Epping Forest, the Lee Valley and rural Hertfordshire and Essex.

Walthamstow Academy has achieved the CPLD Gold Award in recognition of our investment in professional development, because we know that without our wonderful staff, what we have achieved would not be possible, so thank you for your interest in coming to work with us. It starts with someone like you believing you can contribute further to our community.

What we Offer

Here at Walthamstow Academy, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated and this includes your employee benefits. 

Westfield Health Cash Plan, available to all staff after 6 months service, providing you with access to 24/7 virtual GP consultations, quick access to specialist health services and the facility to claim back some of the cost of services and treatments you may currently be paying for yourself. 

We are committed to encouraging and enabling flexible working opportunities at Walthamstow Academy.

We work with Perkbox to offer you over 250 exclusive benefits, all through their easy-to-access platform and app including Discounted Gym Memberships. We also provide free use of our school gym 24/7 with weekly participation of sporting tournaments on offer. We also have our own gym in the academy!

Cycle2Work Scheme As this is a salary sacrifice scheme, you can save money through income tax and NI deductions.

Car Lease Scheme, as a Group, we have partnered with SG Fleet to launch the Novalease scheme for all staff, providing you with access to great discounts on car leasing through a direct debit scheme.

We offer 1 Paid Personal Day to all members of staff per year.