Senior Science Laboratory Technician
St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 6LZ27 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
7 July 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
9 June 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- Science
Working pattern
- Part time: 37 Hours per week - term time only
Contract type
- Permanent
Actual salary
- £22,377 to £24,791
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job purpose
The Senior Science Technician is responsible for:
- Ensuring that a safe, effective and efficient laboratory technical service is provided for use by students and teaching staff.
- Providing technical advice and assistance in the classroom to support students and to assist teaching staff with the provision of learning activities.
- Co-ordinating the use and development of practical resources and facilities within the Science department.
- The line management of all Science technicians including their induction, training and performance management.
- Ensuring that health and safety requirements and other relevant regulations are in place and adhered to, including the completion and recording of necessary checks.
Duties and responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities are indicated below. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Headteacher.
Job specification
Operational
- S/he shall establish and maintain good relationships with all students, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals.
- S/he shall organise and monitor the science technicians’ workloads to meet departmental and cross-curricular needs including cover for absences, delegating tasks appropriately.
- S/he shall ensure that staff in the science department/s are aware of and comply with all health and safety requirements and other relevant regulations.
- S/he shall, in discussion with the Head of Science and her/his line manager, organise and put in place contingency plans to meet the needs of the Science department/s in the event of emergencies such as absence, power cuts or equipment failure.
- S/he shall ensure that the technician team is well resourced, organised and developed to meet the performance standards required by the Science department/s.
- S/he shall liaise with the Head of Science in order to put in place requirements for practical school and public examinations.
- S/he shall ensure all A-level practicals are prepared in accordance with CLEAPSS and comply to CPAC requirements.
- S/he shall review A-level practical procedures to improve and develop current practicals, ensuring they comply and fulfil CPAC requirements.
- S/he shall support the Radiation Protection Officer in complying with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.
- S/he shall coordinate the putting up and maintenance of appropriate classroom and corridor displays within the Science department/s.
- S/he shall ensure that equipment is in good working order and that laboratories, preparation areas and storerooms are in a clean, safe and orderly condition.
- S/he shall ensure the cleaning and maintenance of glassware, equipment and sinks.
- S/he shall, under the guidance of the Head of Science and her/his line manager, hold responsibility for the promotion and observance of a healthy and safe working environment. This includes:
o Actively leading and co-ordinating the assessment, monitoring and review of health and safety procedures and information resources.
o Keeping up-to-date with current procedures and practices through continuing professional development.
o Providing technical advice on health and safety issues and other relevant regulations to teachers and support staff.
o The safe treatment and disposal of used materials, including hazardous substances, and responding to actual or potential hazards.
o The safe storage and accessibility of equipment and materials.
- S/he shall take a lead role in the design, development and maintenance of specialist resources and/or long-term projects, and offer professional guidance, assistance and support to students and teachers on the practical aspects of the curriculum.
- S/he shall hold responsibility for setting up and monitoring systems used in the management and control of practical resources, including:
o Stock control, compiling orders, liaising and/or negotiating with suppliers, and maintaining appropriate records.
o Monitoring, controlling and maintaining financial records of departmental expenditure.
o Ensuring the availability of suitable materials and suggesting alternatives for suitability, sustainability and economy.
o Undertaking the lead role within the department/s on routine and non-routine checking, cleaning, maintenance, calibration, testing and repairing of equipment to the required standard.
- S/he shall provide technical assistance to students, either individually when they are carrying out investigations or projects, or in-class assisting or advising students and staff on the practical aspects of the curriculum.
- S/he shall carry out and update risk assessments in accordance with school policies.
Personnel
- S/he shall establish and maintain good relationships with all staff, students, visitors, suppliers and contractors.
- S/he shall identify the training needs of Science technicians and organise appropriate development opportunities in discussion with her/his line manager.
- S/he shall complete Science technicians’ appraisals, including the setting of appropriate targets.
- S/he shall maintain attendance and training records for Science technicians.
Administrative
- S/he shall ensure that all administrative duties, checks and documentation are completed to the required level of accuracy, including returns and reports.
- S/he shall collate information, statistics and prepare reports as required by her/his line manager, the Headteacher and the Governing Board.
- S/he shall source suppliers applying best value principles.
- S/he shall ensure that financial procedures and activities are carried out within the department/s in accordance with school policies and procedures.
- S/he shall complete equipment and stock inventories as required.
General
- S/he shall attend school events as required.
- S/he shall attend relevant meetings and training sessions.
- S/he shall undertake first aid training and responsibilities as required.
- S/he shall keep up to date with developments and changes in requirements and regulations, and communicate appropriate information to colleagues.
What the school offers its staff
We wish to appoint an enthusiastic and hardworking person who has the necessary knowledge, initiative, organisational skills and attention to detail to be able to support our excellent Science department in their teaching of our young people. Working under the direction of the Head of Department, you will be responsible for preparing all practical resources, including equipment and chemicals across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) as well as line managing the science technician and playing an integral role in the administrative running of the department. This vacancy has arisen due to the previous post-holder progressing to a teaching role.
The successful candidate will receive appropriate induction and professional development upon appointment. Those seeking part time/job share arrangements are welcome to apply.
The Academy are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all of its employees to share this commitment. This post is subject to the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment
Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online/social media check in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, September 2023.
The Newman Catholic Collegiate will be merging with The Painsley Catholic Academy (which will be called St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi Academy Trust (St Gabriel)) on 1st November 2025. This means that as of that date, all The Newman Catholic Collegiate employees will TUPE over to St Gabriel on their existing pay and conditions. This is a very routine process and is being done in full consultation with staff, HR advisors and unions. Should you have any concerns about this, please get in touch.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Academy is committed to the safeguarding and welfare
of children and young people and expects all of its employees
to share this commitment. This post is subject to the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment
Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission
for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring
Service to check for any previous convictions
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs are not accepted.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
- School type
- Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1162 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy website
- Email address
- chollins@smwca.org.uk
St Margaret Ward is a happy, popular, oversubscribed 11-18
academy with an impressive record of success, acknowledged in
our inspection in September 2021 (full report on school/Ofsted
website).
We are extremely proud of our enthusiastic and ambitious staff
who are committed to helping our students become the very best
they can be and, as such, the Academy Directors are seeking an ambitious and dedicated individual who can help us in our mission
Arranging a visit to St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email chollins@smwca.org.uk.
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