PHYSICS TECHNICIAN
Headteacher
Ms J A Potts BEd (Hons)
office@highcliffeschool.com
www.highcliffeschool.com
Tel: 01425 273381
Fax: 01425 271405
November 2011
Dear Colleague
I am delighted that you have responded to our advertisement for the post of Physics
Technician.
Please find enclosed in the application pack a range of information which, I hope, gives
you a flavour of our school and the opportunities that await the successful candidate.
We hope to welcome a colleague to our team who shares the same high aspirations for
our students; someone who recognises their own ability to make a significant
contribution to their achievements.
Unfortunately we will not be able to contact every applicant and take this opportunity to
thank you for responding. Preparing an application is both professionally demanding
and time-consuming.
I look forward to hearing from you but whatever your decision at this stage may I wish
you all the best for your professional future.
Yours sincerely
Judith A Potts
Headteacher
“We encourage a positive classroom environment
where students matter and learning counts”
Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4QD
Deputy Headteacher
Mr N Campbell BA (Hons)
Deputy Headteacher
Mr N O’Connor BSc (Hons)
Registered in England and Wales Number: 07631213
PHYSICS TECHNICIAN
PERMANENT, TERM TIME ONLY
37 HOURS PER WEEK
We require a Technician to join the Science Curriculum
Area in our progressive and highly successful school.
Duties are based in the Science area and include:

Preparation and clearing away of practical lessons

Demonstrations of practicals in class

Assisting in the classroom

Stock control

Other day to day duties within the classroom
The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate
the necessary skills to support this Curriculum Area up to
and including Physics A Level.
Salary Dorset Grade 5 SCP 13-17, £8.01 per hour rising to
£8.72 per hour.
For further details please contact:
Mrs J Coleman, PA to Headteacher
(Contact details below.)
Details and an application form regarding this post are
available on our website.
Closing date for completed applications
25th November 2011
Physics Technician
Dates:
Advertisement
Closing date
11th November 2011
25th November 2011
Application;
Completing the application form
Submitting a personal letter or statement relevant to the post
Please note that CVs only will not be accepted.
Notes for Guidance for Applicants
The following guidance is intended to help you to complete your application form in the
best way.
Application Form
The form must be completed in full and signed. Please use black ink or word processing
as your form will be photocopied. Please complete all sections of the application form
and ensure that your employment record is set out in full with an explanation of any
gaps.
Please do not include photocopies of open testimonials. We will always write to your
current or previous employer for a reference and to ask for a professional assessment of
your suitability for the post. We reserve the right to approach any previous employer
for a reference.
Please complete the application form carefully and ensure that you sign it at the end.
You should use section 5 to set out your relevant skills, knowledge and experience and
you are advised to refer to the Job Description and Person Specification in order explain
how you meet the requirements of the job.
The closing date is as above. Your completed application form and letter should be
returned to Judith Potts, Headteacher, Highcliffe School, Parkside, Highcliffe, BH23 4QD.
Or you can email to jcoleman@highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk . Please note that late
applications cannot be considered. Applications will not normally be acknowledged.
Please label the outside of the envelope or entitle the email confidential/application.
JOB DESCRIPTION
TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 1
Job title:
Technician – Level 1
Directorate:
XS 4.5
Grade:
Dorset Grade 5
Children’s Services
School:
Reports to:
Job Ref:
Senior Technician/Principal Technician/Head of Department
Main job purpose
This post is intended for a Technician with higher level of qualifications/experience/expertise undertaking
more advanced work.
To provide specialist technical support to teaching staff within the designated work area and to ensure the
safe and proper use and maintenance of resources and equipment. The specialist technical knowledge
and skills will support a variety of teaching activities, including more advanced work with post-16
examination courses.
Main responsibilities and duties
1. To provide specialist assistance and support to teaching staff in the preparation and assembly of
teaching resources, apparatus and equipment.
2. Under the general direction of the Head(s) of Department to take a lead role in the design,
development and maintenance of any specialist equipment or other resources to support teaching and
learning activities.
3. To prepare and maintain classrooms, laboratories and workshops, and materials for use by staff and
pupils ensuring that an orderly, safe and healthy environment is provided for teaching activities.
4. To contribute to teaching sessions as appropriate, by demonstrating / supervising / advising on the
proper and safe use of materials for practical activities, including teacher directed support for
individual pupils or assisting with practical project work (e.g. as part of post-16 studies).
5. To maintain and undertake reasonable repairs to equipment and where practical to do so or arrange
alternative servicing by approved contractors.
6. To be responsible for the safe storage of equipment and materials and the disposal of waste products
in accordance with the relevant regulations, guidelines and school procedures.
7. To maintain appropriate records for the control and allocation of relevant equipment and resources.
8. To undertake ordering and stock allocation activities and maintain appropriate records.
9. To support teaching staff with the organisation and preparation of displays of subject materials or
pupils’ work.
10. To ensure that Health and Safety requirements and other relevant regulations (e.g. COSHH) are
adhered to and observed. This may involve undertaking regular checking procedures and risk
assessments, as appropriate to the work area.
11. To play a proactive role in developing the skills and expertise of technical staff and in promoting ‘best
practice’ in all aspects of the work requirements.
Knowledge & skills
An advanced, vocational or academic qualification in the relevant subject area (e.g. BTec Higher, HNC/D,
Advanced City and Guilds Certificate) with applied practical experience.
OR
Substantial experience in a relevant work area together with a vocational/academic qualification at NVQ
level 3 or equivalent or other relevant evidence of training/development in the particular subject area.
Supervision and management
General supervision will be provided by the Head of Department. There will be a need for day-to-day
liaison with relevant teaching staff. Most activities will be undertaken without direct supervision.
Problem solving and creativity
Applying technical or specialist skills and knowledge to resolve any problems with the setting up or
maintenance of equipment.
Key contacts and relationships
Daily interaction with teaching staff, pupils and other support staff. Also contact with external suppliers
and contractors, as required.
Decision making
Deciding when to intervene in pupil activities for instruction or safety purposes. Supervisory decisions
regarding technicians’ duties and training/support needs. (Where appropriate) Undertaking research to
support teacher and/or pupil projects and activities.
Resources
I.T. skills for presentation, analysis and recording purposes.
Competent use and application of specialist equipment for the relevant subject area/department (e.g.
power tools and computer aided design equipment for Design and Technology activities).
The range of equipment used and number of workshops/laboratories etc will depend upon the particular
school.
Protective clothing will be provided and must be worn at all times.
Working Environment
Duties will normally be undertaken within classrooms, laboratories or workshops in the school. There may
be some use of chemicals or toxic materials and/or some use of power tools or other potentially harmful
equipment in certain posts.
Lifting and movement of resources and equipment will often be required, using trolleys where appropriate.
Job description prepared by:
Chris Matthews
Designation:
Pay and Reward Manager
Date:
January 2005
SCIENCE
Course Outlines
We deliver a collapsed 2 year KS3 course following a combination of in house schemes and
Exploring Science Texts. At KS3 all students study Science.
KS4 is delivered over 3 years from Year 9-11. Students who achieve a Level 6 at KS3 can opt to
study Separate Sciences – OCR Gateway Biology, OCR Gateway Chemistry and OCR Gateway
Physics.
The majority of students take OCR Gateway Science and OCR Gateway Additional Science at
GCSE (equivalent to double award.)
At KS5 the Science Team offer several courses including A Level Biology, A Level Human Biology,
A Level Chemistry, A Level Physics, AS Science in Society and GCSE Astronomy. Student
retention at KS5 is good and we are always looking to increase courses available.
Facilities and Resources
 12 experienced, enthusiastic specialist science teachers and 3 technicians based
in 4 refurbished technical areas.
 Science Specialist Status.
 11 fully equipped and refurbished laboratories, including – a chemistry laboratory,
physics/optics/photography laboratory and an ‘all purpose’ laboratory.
 3 technicians in 4 refurbished technical areas.
 Science, Space, Robotics and Environmental clubs are available for enthusiastic students.
 Reference books issued to all students, plus in house reprographics.
 ICT facility available in each laboratory and remote sensing.
 An ICT Laboratory (Sc2) with extra ICT for data logging and processing, digital
microscopy, web browsing and interactive learning programs via school server.
 Enrichment activities include use of school grounds, with our new environmental area
including school pond and garden, and local recreation areas – Steamer point,
Hengistbury Head Learning Facility, trips to London museums and Intech at Winchester,
Fleet Air Arm Museum and various A level outings and experiences including Biology Field
work on the Dorset Heritage coast line.
SCIENCE – Psychology, Health & Social Care, Child Development
We deliver Psychology in the Sixth Form (KS 5) at Advanced level. It is a very popular
and over subscribed course and we follow the AQA course. Health and Social Care is
delivered as a single award GCSE at (KS 4) and as either a single or double award
qualification at advanced level in the Sixth Form.
Child Development is delivered as a GCSE qualification at KS 4 and students are able to
progress onto the CACHE suite of qualifications in the Sixth Form. At KS 5 we offer both
the Certificate (level 2) and the Diploma (level 3).
Facilities and Resources
In addition to the facilities detailed above, these subjects all benefit from specialist
accommodation with dedicated resources. Enrichment activities are an integral part of
the deliver of each programmed. These range from one to one tutorial support to trips
and activities as well as extended vocational placements and visiting speakers.
Contact Person:

Ms S. Cullen
Senior Curriculum Leader Science