The posting
Overall purpose and description of the role
The General Technician provides practical and technical support across designated curriculum areas to enable the safe and effective delivery of teaching, learning, assessment and enrichment activities.
The postholder is responsible for preparing, setting up, maintaining and storing equipment, materials and specialist resources; maintaining safe, organised and well-resourced learning environments; and providing appropriate technical guidance to staff and students.
Although the postholder may have a principal area of responsibility, they will work flexibly across departments according to operational and curriculum needs. This may include supporting areas such as art, design and technology, food, textiles, science or other practical curriculum subjects, subject to the postholder’s competence, training and relevant health and safety requirements.
The role requires the postholder to work independently within established procedures, identify and resolve routine technical and operational issues, maintain appropriate records, and refer specialist, complex or higher-risk matters to the relevant Curriculum Leader or senior technician.
You would join the school at an exciting time, the school has academised and joined Share MAT and we are part of the new schools’ building programme. We value our staff, and we know Share MAT does too. Our staff voice is strong and colleagues like working here. We have a strong CPD programme and there are often chances for staff to progress their careers and develop. This has been enhanced with recent support from Share MAT (who are the Teaching School Hub for Calderdale and Kirklees).
We’d love to hear from you if you share our belief in ‘enabling individuals to unlock their unique potential’ and the MAT’s belief in ‘Valuing People, Supporting Personal Best’.
There has never been a more exciting time to join our incredible community. In this role you will have a direct impact on the lives of our students and open doors to their futures. Together, we unlock unique potential.
Academy Information
Todmorden High School is a medium sized secondary academy in Todmorden. The academy is committed to creating a culture where all students and colleagues at all levels can feel proud of who they are and their achievements. In keeping with our values, we strive to create a school that celebrates difference. Ambition, Respect, Care and Honesty remain at the forefront of everything we do; we are trusted to do the right thing for each other, our students and the wider community.
The academy is a proud partner of the well-regarded and high-performing SHARE Multi-Academy Trust and is part of the Teaching School Hub for Kirklees and Calderdale. Todmorden High School provides staff with a wealth of support and a wide range of opportunities to collaborate, network, and share best practice.
Todmorden High School has a wonderful academy community and is a great place to work, where all team members play a vital role in making a positive impact on the life chances of others.
The academy is proud to offer:
- A supportive and ambitious environment where all students are encouraged to go beyond what they think they can achieve and to enjoy learning, helping them to lead successful, healthy and happy lives
- A vibrant place to work which equips staff to deliver their best every day, under the strong belief that Valuing People, Supporting Personal Best is the key
- A commitment that staff are happy, engaged and well supported at work, taking pride in students’ attendance, behaviour, progress and development as well as their own
- Excellent training and guidance relevant to individual job roles, so expectations are understood and staff are motivated
- Great benefits, as an employer of choice, including outstanding CPD, supportive line management, and meaningful networking opportunities across the trust to aid personal development
- Supportive leadership, encouraging healthy work-life balance
- A high-quality teaching and learning environment, alongside good facilities
- A culture where children are happy, settled and confident, accessing a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a memorable educational experience for pupils and staff.
The Ideal Candidate Will:
- have a commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and getting the best outcomes for all pupils.
- have experience of working with children or young people in a school setting.
- be committed to delivering high standards of work, supporting colleagues, and contributing to continuous improvement.
- champion our values of Ambition, Respect, Care and Honest
Key Responsibilities & specifications
- Prepare, assemble, set up and issue equipment, materials and resources required for lessons, practical activities, assessments, demonstrations and enrichment activities.
- Ensure equipment and resources are safe, suitable and available when required, clearing away and safely storing resources following use.
- Undertake the routine preparation, construction, adaptation and finishing of materials and resources using appropriate tools, machinery and specialist equipment.
- Maintain workshops, preparation rooms, studios, practical classrooms, stores and other assigned areas so that they are safe, secure, clean, organised and appropriately resourced.
- Carry out routine checks, cleaning, maintenance and basic repairs to equipment, tools and machinery within the postholder's competence and training.
- Identify damaged, defective or unsafe equipment, taking it out of use where appropriate and referring more complex repairs or concerns to the relevant colleague.
- Maintain appropriate equipment records, inventories, service information and other technical documentation.
- Monitor stock levels and operate effective systems for ordering, receiving, checking, storing and distributing materials, consumables and equipment.
- Liaise with teaching staff to identify resource requirements and support the efficient and economical use of departmental resources.
- Research products and suppliers and raise purchase requests in accordance with the Trust's financial procedures and delegated arrangements.
- Follow relevant health and safety legislation, Trust policies, departmental procedures, risk assessments, safe systems of work and manufacturers' instructions.
- Undertake and record routine safety checks of equipment, machinery, materials and work areas for which the postholder has been trained and authorised.
- Ensure the safe storage, handling, labelling and disposal of equipment, materials, substances and waste in accordance with established procedures, including COSHH requirements where applicable.
- Contribute technical information to risk assessments and safe operating procedures and promptly report hazards or matters requiring specialist advice or management action.
- Provide practical and technical advice to staff and students on the safe and appropriate use of equipment, tools, machinery, materials and resources within the postholder's area of competence.
- Support students undertaking practical activities, including individuals or small groups, under the direction of teaching staff and within agreed arrangements.
- Help to prepare or adapt practical resources and activities to support students' individual needs, under the direction of teaching staff.
- Work flexibly across curriculum departments according to school priorities and operational need, undertaking activities outside the postholder's principal area where appropriately trained and competent to do so.
- Work collaboratively with teaching, technical, premises and other support colleagues, sharing resources, technical knowledge and effective working practices as appropriate.
- Support curriculum events, enrichment activities, educational visits, displays, exhibitions and other school activities where practical or technical assistance is required.
- Provide general administrative support to Curriculum and Department Leaders as reasonably required to support the effective operation of the department.
- Maintain accurate records and use relevant ICT systems to support stock control, ordering, equipment maintenance, safety compliance and technical services.
- Maintain confidentiality, comply with UK GDPR and Trust policies and procedures, and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Maintain relevant technical knowledge and undertake training and continuing professional development necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role safely and effectively.
- Contribute positively to the wider life and ethos of the school and Trust, demonstrating the Trust's values in working with students, colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and grade of the role, as directed by the relevant manager or Headteacher.
Expertise in Role Requires (At selection - Level 1):
Essential
- GCSE English and mathematics at Grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent level of literacy and numeracy
- Experience of working in a practical, technical, workshop, laboratory, studio, catering or similar environment
- Experience of preparing and maintaining equipment, materials or specialist resources
- Working knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements and safe working practices
- Ability to operate relevant tools, machinery and specialist equipment safely
- Ability to carry out routine equipment checks, maintenance and basic repairs within the limits of competence
- Ability to organise stock, resources, stores and work areas effectively
- Ability to maintain accurate records and use ICT systems, including Microsoft 365 applications
- Ability to interpret and follow technical instructions, risk assessments and safe systems of work
- Ability to provide clear practical and technical guidance to staff and students
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and prioritise competing demands within an agreed framework
- Ability to identify when a matter must be referred for specialist advice or management action
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly across curriculum departments
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- Willingness to undertake relevant training and maintain specialist competence
- First aid qualification, or willingness to undertake training if required
- Is willing to work flexibly within scope of overall hours
Desirable
- Relevant technical, vocational or subject-related qualification, or equivalent practical experience
- Experience of working in a school or with children and young people
- Knowledge of COSHH or other specialist safety requirements relevant to the assigned curriculum area
Expertise in Role - After initial development - Level 2
- Demonstrate practical and technical knowledge relevant to the curriculum area(s) supported.
- Ability to work independently on routine technical tasks within established procedures and safe systems of work.
- Competence in the safe preparation, use and routine maintenance of relevant equipment, tools and resources.
- Working knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements, including COSHH where applicable.
- Ability to organise and maintain effective stock, storage and resource systems.
- Ability to identify and resolve routine technical issues, referring more complex matters appropriately.
Expertise in Role (Advanced - Level 3)
- Broader technical knowledge and experience enabling effective support across different curriculum areas.
- Ability to provide technical advice and guidance to staff and students within areas of competence.
- Ability to identify improvements to technical processes, resources, equipment and working practices.
Safeguarding requirements
This post requires the post holder to work in settings with children and young adults. Any employment offer is therefore subject to the results of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). People who may have contact with younger children (i.e. primary school age) are also required to complete a declaration about family or other members of their household.
Applicants MUST complete the MAT’s standard application form to be considered, will be required to provide evidence of identity and qualifications and offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references. For applicants who work or have recently worked in a school, one of the references must be from the headteacher.
