* Job Type: 1 Year Fixed Term Contract, term time only + 15 days, 8am-4:45pm
* Salary: £22,300 pro rated (£25,868 if full pension flex benefit is utilised). FTE 26,000
* Department: Junior School
* Reporting to: Junior School Head of STEM
We are looking for a Technician of Design Technology and Engineering to work with us for one year. If you want to support in Junior School classes as well as get involved with curriculum delivery in KS2 DTE in a forward-thinking DTE department get in touch.
The role might suit a qualified technician or graduate in a relevant discipline who wishes to become a Teacher / Teaching Assistant / Technician.
Developing pupils’ confidence through their natural curiosity is fundamental to the way we teach; pupils are encouraged to experiment and to reflect, both individually and as part of a team. Environmental impact and sustainability are also central to Highgate’s interdisciplinary DTE curriculum, with content firmly linked to real world context so that pupils learn how to solve real-world problems.
The Department
Highgate Junior School is one of the largest Key Stage 2 Independent Junior Schools in the country with 445 pupils from Years 3 to 6 in five classes per year group.
We pride ourselves on providing an innovative curriculum which challenges our pupils to be curious, creative and brave in their learning. Our timetable is designed to incorporate both an intellectually rigorous approach to studies alongside skills-based learning. We aim for our pupils to develop a genuine love of learning whilst acquiring a knowledge of how they learn, how to take responsibility for their learning and how to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of different contexts.
We have a team of staff dedicated to nurturing our pupils’ wellbeing. To develop a sense of community and belonging from day one at Highgate, our pupils all belong to a form group and one of our four houses. We want to nurture in our pupils how to be a reflective and proactive member of the community with a sense of social responsibility and a deep understanding and appreciation of the wide range of heritages, cultures and backgrounds in our diverse society.
The Junior School is located on Bishopswood Road, Highgate, in an outstanding purpose-built teaching environment. The deliberate playfulness of the architecture and the openness to our sports fields is the physical expression of our belief in nurturing childhood playfulness and curiosity.
Working as a TA in the Junior School is incredibly rewarding. The children’s love of learning is infectious, and the teaching staff are supportive and actively encourage our contribution to the dynamic curriculum. The environment makes it a pleasure to come to school every day – as do the excellent free lunches!
Job Description
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The main focus of this role is to provide support to teachers (in the preparation of resources for lessons and in the classroom), to support students (in small groups or on a one to one basis during practical activities and with projects) and to support after school clubs. Adhering to all relevant H&S legislation and general maintenance of equipment and resources are integral to the role.
There is scope for the successful applicant to be involved in the wider life of the school through, for example, after-school clubs and educational visits. A person who would be able and willing to assist in cross-curricular projects would also be welcomed.
Daily Preparation in DTE
* Check the safety of machinery and other equipment. Replace broken blades, check guards, speed of drills, etc.
* Check for any plugs which may have been disturbed by the cleaners and become loose. Generally correct and report on any shortfall in the cleaning.
Lesson Preparation for DTE, and, occasionally other practical subjects
* Refer to the timetable, scheme of work or teacher as appropriate. Check equipment/tool/material request sheets.
* Remove appropriate resources (ie. trays of pupils’ work) from storage and put out ready for use.
* Preparing rooms and materials for lessons, demonstrations, displays, exhibitions and examinations.
* Designing and constructing models, teaching aids and apparatus.
* Preparing and placing the relevant materials, tools and equipment (e.g. battery drills, hot glue guns, soldering irons, power supplies, test equipment etc.).
* General administrative support including photocopying of resources.
During Lessons
During lessons (usually DTE but occasionally other practical lessons as and when required) the main requirement is to assist the teacher as appropriate with the general instruction, care, and supervision of the pupils in lessons. As such, the Technician’s prime role changes to that of teaching assistant. However, this should always be a supportive role as directed by the teacher. It is essential that project work remains entirely that of the children and adult intervention should be kept to a minimum.
It is essential that the DTE technician is supportive and sensitive toward the children. These are 7 to 11 year olds and require a thoughtful and measured approach at all times.
When machinery is in use in DTE, the technician’s prime role is to supervise the use of machinery and advise pupils on safe and effective techniques while the teacher is dealing with the actual teaching. Risk assessments must be used, and health and safety rules implemented in the workshop. Machines need adjustment and repair during use in lessons, and most require constant supervision.
When machines are not in use and the teacher does not need classroom assistance, there are some additional tasks required in DTE:
* Maintain a record of resources in the classrooms, and advise the subject coordinator for reordering when stock is transferred from the stores
* Batteries need charging, glue guns reloading, broken drill bits and saw blades need replacing.
* Maintain and repair hand tools and make jigs, fixtures, moulds and blanks.
* Make periodic checks on power breakers and cleaning of dust extraction equipment.
* Paint pots, glue, brushes and spreaders and painting equipment require regular attention.
* Prepare resources and components for practical lessons.
* Assist with administration: photocopying, layout of classrooms, display of pupils’ work.
After School Clubs as required
Supporting teachers with after school DTE related clubs.
Budget, Ordering & Expenditure
This is carried out by the Technician in consultation with the Head of STEM: maintaining records of suppliers and expenditure and assisting in the preparation of estimates for the annual budget. He/she orders equipment and organises storage and dispensing materials to pupils.
Maintenance & Improvements
* Ensuring regular cleaning, checks and maintenance is carried out for all machinery and tools.
* Being responsible for liaison with the relevant departments regarding storage facilities, day to day repairs and the ordering of cleaning materials.
* Assisting with proposals for the maintenance and development of the department, suggesting improved practices and procedures for the workshop.
Health & Safety
* Ensuring a safe working environment for pupils and staff.
* Keeping up to date with safety legislation and carrying out regular safety checks.
* Exercising vigilance towards pupils especially in matters of Health and Safety.
* Alerting the Head of STEM and the Deputy Principal to any issues of safety within the department.
* The Technician must be familiar with and adhere to the safety rules of the workshop and the School as outlined in BS4163 and the risk assessments for the department and must be willing to attend safety training courses as deemed necessary by the Head of Department.
* Responsible for maintenance of the First Aid Kit.
General
Occasionally supervise the children at lunchtime breaks and, if required, morning breaks. This will occasionally involve:
* Accompanying the children to the dining room as and when required
* Being on duty in the playground or inside as a member of a supervision duty team
Accompanying Children
* Occasionally being an extra pair of hands on school trips and visits
* Reporting any Safeguarding concerns to relevant teachers or pastoral leaders
Team Work
* Provide reliable support for the class teachers at all times; keep them informed of all matters that affect the children; join in professional discussions and staff meetings which will be after school.
* If required, undertake to help within the broader context of the school, carrying out other reasonable duties to support its smooth and efficient organisation.
* Assist in the coordination of special events such as open days, exhibitions etc.
* In addition to the above mentioned duties the Technician must be prepared to take on other reasonable duties to support the smooth and efficient organisation of the School.
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Design Technology and Engineering Technician will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Principal of the Junior School and Head of STEM in the Junior School.
Person Specification
* Criteria
* How will these be tested or verified?
* Qualifications /Professional Bodies
* Essential
o Educated to A-level or equivalent.
o Minimum 5 GCSE’s or equivalent including Maths and English.
Desirable
o Educated to Degree Level or equivalent in DTE or similar.
o A Degree in any stream of engineering.
o Other qualifications in Design Technology or Engineering.
* Experience
* Essential
o Experience of working with young people
Desirable
o Previous experience working as a DT and Engineering Technician.
o Demonstrable experience working in engineering or education.
o Previous experience working in a school environment.
o Demonstrable experience of working with a wide variety of machinery.
* Skills/knowledge
* Essential
o Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work well individually and as part of a team.
o Ability to take responsibility as a team member and provide support and an active contribution to the team.
o Strong organisational skills.
o An excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and databases.
o High level of attention to detail and accuracy in all work undertaken.
o Ability to work calmly under pressure, multi-task and manage a diverse workload.
o A good level of spoken and written English.
o Ability to recognise the responsibility to develop oneself and proactively.
Desirable
o Ability to use CAD/CAM equipment, such as a laser cutter and 3D printing machine.
o Ability to design and make electronics circuit using breadboard and PCB’s.
o Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies.
* Personal Attributes
* Essential
o Strong customer focus.
o Energetic and approachable.
o Ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
o Practical and flexible with a ‘can-do’ approach. Able to work effectively and use initiative without constant supervision.
o A proactive approach to work, and meeting targets.
o Able to ensure the successful completion of every task or activity with a positive can-do attitude.
o An ability to identify process improvement needs and suggest solutions.
o The ability to maintain in strictest confidence any information received concerning School matters.
o Ability to adapt to the culture of an independent school.
o A sense of humour
Location |Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered – 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development |Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities |Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Lunch |A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Help with sustainable travel |Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies |Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks’ full pay, then 10 weeks’ half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
A fun, collaborative and forward-thinking environment with a real sense of community
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive.
We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of applying for positions because they may underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and develop professionally on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in education, or admissions is not required.
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.
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