Science Technician - Physics

Term Time Only plus 5 INSET Days

Start date - 3 June 2024

The School

Gordano School, part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, is a large and successful 11-18 comprehensive secondary school approximately eight miles outside Bristol. Our school includes a thriving Sixth Form of approximately 350 students that is strongly integrated into the life of the school and offers significant opportunities for sixth form teaching in over 30 courses. We are the sole secondary school serving the popular town of Portishead and benefit greatly from being a central part of our community.

We view education as something bigger than just academic achievement. We have a record of considerable academic success but wholeheartedly believe that a student's education should be about preparing young people for their future lives in the complete sense, developing our young people’s key skills and behaviours that set them up for a successful future pathway. As well as consistently strong outcomes at GCSE and A Level, we place great emphasis on the opportunities available to our students including developing student leadership across our student body, offering an unparalleled extra-curricular programme and ensuring clear guidance for students when considering progression to their next steps of their educational journey

We pride ourselves on high-quality support for colleagues at all stages of their career through internal and external CPD, including our membership of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, with staff involved in a range of developmental opportunities across schools in the Trust as well as supporting staff in bespoke training such as completing different levels of the NPQ programmes. We maintain significant involvement in Initial Teacher Training and deliver a comprehensive ECT induction in association with the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance and Ambition Institute. Our very large staff body allows regular opportunities for progression into leadership roles at all levels.

Importantly, beyond the wider experiences on offer to our student body, we seek to be a very happy school community with a big heart. This has never been more evident than through our recent work in delivering our core principles of ‘Dream big, do your best, give back’, fostering a community filled with kindness and respect.

The Role

Gordano School is seeking to appoint a Science Technician to join a hardworking and friendly team. The post-holder join a team of six Science Technicians as the Physics Specialist and will assist in supporting the teaching and learning, within this very successful Science department, working under the Senior Science Technician.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide day to day support in the running of the laboratories
• Have a passionate interest in science and be comfortable dealing with practical preparation and clearing up
• Prepare materials, and equipment for all GCSE and A Level Physics lessons
• Participate in the general technical work of the department
• Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Previous school experience would be an advantage but is not essential and training will be available if required. The post requires a highly motivated person with strong communication and interpersonal skills, who can work well as part of a team. They must also be organised and methodical with an excellent attention to detail. The ability to prioritise a busy workload is essential, as is the need to meet deadlines whilst dealing with frequent interruptions.

It is important that applicants recognise the safeguarding responsibilities that all adults in schools hold, and the checks that are needed to allow all adults in school communities to work there. The role will involve contact with students in the school, and the successful applicant will need to fully understand, and undertake regular training updates on, our safeguarding protocols and how to report on these if needed.

Gordano School offers an excellent benefits package including contributory pension scheme, a comprehensive employee assistance programme and benefits (offering discounts on shopping), cycle to work scheme, discounted on-site gym membership and on-site parking.

Closing date: Midnight, Tuesday 30th April 2024

Interviews: Friday 3rd May 2024

Early applications are encouraged. Gordano School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should the School be able to identify an appropriate candidate.

A copy of the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, Disclosure Policy and Recruitment Policy can be found on the Lighthouse Schools Partnership website.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Please note that for all roles that require regulated activity it is an offence to apply if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity.