We are seeking to appoint a full or part-time science technician for term time only to start in February 2016.

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1 SCIENCE TECHNICIAN We are seeking to appoint a full or part-time science technician for term time only to start in February This post offers the successful applicant the opportunity to support the work of a large department within the Science area of the college by working alongside a further two science technicians who are based in dedicated prep rooms. The Sciences area has over 100 students taking Chemistry (OCR) AS/A level, 80 students taking Physics (OCR) AS/A level and approximately 150 studying A Level Biology. The College offers the Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science (Forensic Science), Level 2 BTEC Principals of Science as well as Level 2 & Level 3 BTEC Health & Social Care. The person appointed to this position will work to support the teaching staff in the Department principally through preparation of materials for practical activities and coursework. Supporting students with planning and organising their practical experiments and assisting with our in-house prep room work experience programme will also be an important part of the science technician s role. The Science area recently benefited from a substantial refurbishment programme, which provided 5 modern laboratories and 2 dedicated prep room facilities. The person who is appointed to this position will have an opportunity to work with managers, teachers, support staff and students at all levels in our organisation. The post is offered on a permanent contract and offers an exciting opportunity to join a popular and successful sixth form college. The starting salary for this post is the pro rata salary based on point 2 of the Sixth Form Colleges Support Staff pay spine, plus London fringe allowance. The College offers all support staff the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme. This is a tax approved, defined benefit occupational pension scheme. The closing date for applications to reach the College is 22 nd January Interviews will be held on Monday 1 st February January 2016 Page 1 of 6

2 SCIENCE TECHNICIAN Job Purpose: To provide support for students and staff within the departments of Biological Sciences and Mathematical Sciences. Accountable to: Director of Education Key Accountabilities: To provide support to staff and students with practical science experiments within the Departments. To assist with the preparation, maintenance, cleaning and use of relevant equipment. Help maintain the College systems documentation. Assist with College-wide events such as Open Evenings, Year 10 & Year 11 events and occasional day trips. Keep skills up to date by participating in training as required. Observe at all times strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the post. Such other duties as may be reasonably requested. This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post. January 2016 Page 2 of 6

3 SCIENCE TECHNICIAN Qualifications Person Specification ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE 1 Science qualifications, preferably A level or higher or relevant work experience in a science environment. Skills and abilities Flexibility and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively as a member of a team. Possession of good interpersonal skills, e.g. tact, sensitivity, ability to listen, to be assertive at times. Knowledge and Experience Technician specialism in the area of Physics & Chemistry. Experience of working as a in a school or Sixth Form/FE college. Attitudes and Values Commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity and operating in a healthy and safe environment. Commitment to continuous personal and institutional improvement. Commitment to high professional and personal standards of work and conduct. January 2016 Page 3 of 6

4 Applying for jobs at Strode's College Please note that the application is in two parts the Application Form and the Personal Details Sheet. Your personal details will be separated from the Application Form before the shortlisting process, to ensure that candidates are considered without the shortlisting panel knowing any details of age, gender or ethnic background. If you are invited for interview then the two sections will be joined again. To enable us to match the two sections you must put your National Insurance Number at the top of each page. You are asked not to send CVs or covering letters, as these will not be used in the shortlisting process, but to detail any information in support of your application in section 6 of the form. Completed application forms should be returned to the College either by to jobs@strodes.ac.uk or post by noon on the closing date stated in the advertisement. Applicants short-listed for interview will be notified within two weeks of the closing date. If you have not been contacted during this period you should assume that your application, on this occasion, has been unsuccessful. In accordance with our usual data procedures, your details will be kept on file for 6 months before being destroyed. Should you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to contact me. Strode s College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and successful applicants will be asked to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Thank you for your interest in Strode s College. January 2016 Page 4 of 6

5 STRODE S COLLEGE EGHAM Strode s has a long history as an educational institution and, in 2004, celebrated the tercentenary of its foundation by Henry Strode, an Egham merchant and Master Cooper. Its origins were as a school for the poor children of Egham. In the twentieth century, it evolved into a boys Grammar School and in 1975 it became a sixth form college which was incorporated as an FE Corporation in Since April 2010, the College has had a new status as a Sixth Form College Corporation which guarantees a continuing high degree of autonomy. We are delighted to be celebrating 40 years as a sixth form College during In September 2015, the College had approximately 1120 full-time students (predominately 16-18) and over 1000 part-time (predominately adult) students. Part time provision in the evening includes courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications, as well as non-accredited courses that people take for personal interest. We also offer part time courses in the day, which are held at the College s Community Learning Centre and in a variety of outreach venues. Our students come from a wide area of North West Surrey and outer London including Richmond and Twickenham. In total, students come from over 80 different schools, with nearly 50% of full-time year olds coming from our partner schools: The Magna Carta School, Sunbury Manor, Thamesmead, Thomas Knyvett, The Matthew Arnold School and Jubilee High School. A significant number of students also come from Orleans Park, Waldegrave School and Twickenham Academy. We maintain strong links with our partner and contributory schools through our School Liaison Team and senior staff. Our purpose is to inspire students to fulfil their potential by providing a broad and high quality education in a supportive and dynamic learning environment. We offer over 40 subjects at A Level and Level 3 BTEC as well as a range of courses at Level 2. All full-time students are required to follow a tutorial programme and are encouraged to broaden their interests from a range of examined and non-examined options. In addition there is a considerable variety of team and other sporting activities, some of which take place off-site. The aim of our curriculum, which includes student-organised activities, music, drama, pastoral care and careers guidance, is designed to prepare students for adulthood as responsible, selfmanaged young adults, through their experience of study, recreation and community life within the College. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for managing many aspects of College life; they are subject to a minimum of rules and are given every opportunity within a caring community of developing self-discipline and self-awareness. There is a Student Union which is affiliated to the NUS. We place great emphasis on our pastoral work which is organised through a team of Guidance Team Leaders and Tutors, with the Director of Adult Education being responsible for adult enrolments. January 2016 Page 5 of 6

6 We are outward-looking and seek to be an integral part of our local community. Students have the opportunity of committing some time to Community Service, e.g. in play groups, schools, day centres and hospitals. Local expertise in business, industry, higher education and the arts is used by the College in a variety of ways including work shadowing, work experience, staff secondments, lectures and workshops. We are actively broadening our links with Runnymede Borough Council and local sports clubs and we are a member of the Egham Chamber of Commerce. Our buildings include a blend of the old and the modern, ranging from 1820 s alms houses to a Student Centre and two new classroom blocks: the Tercentenary Building which was completed in 2008, and the Jubilee Building which was completed in There has been a major refurbishment of some of the older buildings in the College, providing replacement modern and well-equipped classrooms. Our science facilities have been fully refurbished, assisted by recent grants of over 1.5m from the Education Funding Agency. In 2014/15 we received further grant funding which enabled us to build new sports changing facilities on site. Transport links to the College are good and enable easy access to staff who choose to live at a distance from the College. Egham railway station, which is a five minute walk from the College, is on the main Waterloo to Reading line and there is a half hourly service to Chertsey, Addlestone and Weybridge. Egham is also near the junction of the M25 and M3, with easy access to the M4 and M40. The River Thames and Windsor Great Park are nearby. Free on-site car parking is available on a first-come first-served basis, and there is a covered rack for staff bicycles. The College currently has over 125 staff both-full time and part time, as well as a large number of adult learning tutors. All staff participate in staff development activities which contribute to their professional development and their understanding of the College and the education sector in general. As well as encouraging staff to attend training tailored to their individual professional development, we engage a number of external experts to run sessions each year on topical subjects of interest such as forced marriage, transgender issues etc. Additionally, the College is always happy to consider applications from employees for financial assistance with longer term courses and qualifications. All eligible employees are offered membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme. We have an Employee Assistance Programme, which is a resource offering confidential advice and counselling on a range of practical and emotional issues including legal problems, child/elder care and stress. The College also offers a childcare voucher scheme providing tax savings to people who use registered childminders, playschemes and nurseries. Free tea and coffee is available in a recently refurbished staff room and we have an on-site gym facility. January 2016 Page 6 of 6