Physics Technician

AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY

Physics Technician

Information for prospective staff

About Freemen's

Our mission is to inspire our people to learn, to lead and to make a difference.

These are exciting times at Freemen’s as we deliver on our mission of inspiring our children to learn, lead and make a difference. We believe that if we can motivate and inspire pupils and staff to give of their best at all times, the School will continue to grow and thrive.

The School was founded by Warren Hale in Brixton in 1854 to provide a ‘religious and virtuous education’ for the orphaned children of Freemen of the City of London. Freemen’s moved to its present site, Ashtead Park, in 1926, following expansion, and is today a non-denominational school with a strong ethos of community and service in accordance with the values and wishes of its founder. It occupies a magnificent site with modern buildings alongside the original house set in 57 acres of parkland.

Freemen’s today is an independent coeducational day and boarding school for 950 pupils aged 7 – 18. The Junior School (ages 7 – 11) has 250 pupils on roll; the Senior School (ages 1318) has 700 pupils on roll, approximately 240 of whom are in the Sixth Form. Pupils enter the School at 7, 11, 13 and 16. About fifty-five pupils are boarders, most of whom are international students. The majority of boarders are in the Sixth Form.

The School has an excellent reputation locally and nationally for academic success but the trait most often remarked on is the sense of community and kindness at Freemen's. Colleagues, pupils and parents are all made to feel that they matter and the focus within the School is on every individual finding a path which is appropriate for them. The emphasis in the Junior School is on Kindness, Honesty and Fun and the Senior School picks up that message with a pastoral programme that emphasizes the importance of a strong, supportive community in which every member - staff and student - feels respected, supported and valued. As a result, we are able to support our young people to successfully meet the tests of life they face every day.

Freemen’s is academically selective and is the leading co-educational school in the area. Pupils achieve excellent results. In 2023 A Level results were A*/A: 60% whilst GCSE results were 9/8: 67%. However, this is only part of the value of a Freemen's education, and we work to help students realise and be confident in the breadth and depth of what they have learned in terms of their skills, characteristics and knowledge. The majority of students from Freemen’s go on to university study at either Russell Group or Oxbridge, although the nature of the School is happy to accept a diverse range of destinations appropriate for the needs of the students, which includes studying abroad and apprenticeships.. Although the academic is the ‘bread-and-butter’ of life at Freemen’s, we provide a holistic education for the young people in our care and the School is proud of the high standards achieved in sport, music and drama and by the range of opportunities available to all pupils in the school.

About Freemen's

Opportunities are a key theme at Freemen’s and we expect our teaching staff to weave three specific opportunities throughout their lessons at each key stage. Examples of these opportunities include KS2’s Marvellous Mistakes, KS3’s Technology for Lifelong Learning and KS5’s Being a Leader. Each student’s tutor works with them in a coaching capacity to help them understand the person they are becoming and set goals as to what they wish to challenge themselves with next..

The School is one of four independent schools managed by the City of London Corporation (The City). The City provides financial support in the form of bursaries and scholarships. Other links with the City of London and the Livery Companies are strong.

In the past ten years, more than £20 million has been invested in facilities at the School, and Freemen’s has embarked on an ambitious building development plan to further enhance its teaching, recreational and boarding facilities. Our contemporary Music School, award-winning swimming pool and stylish boarding house have been completed and a refurbishment of the Georgian Mansion house, designed by Sir Thomas Wyatt was completed in 2021. This gives our Sixth Form a new home in the heart of the School. This will be followed by developments to our Junior School.

About Freemen's

Freemen’s is a forward-looking School with an ambitious agenda to support development. In addition to our site development plan, the School is currently seeking:

• continued development of our proactive approach to student wellbeing, enabling all children to thrive at the School and beyond;

• to embed our Curriculum aims, ensuring our whole community benefits from the work we do;

• to embed a comprehensive staff development programme, which encourages the professional development of all staff in line with their own aims and those of the School;

There are approximately 120 full and part time teaching staff in the Junior and Senior Schools and they provide committed and inspirational support for students. They are supported by around 70 professional services staff. A small number of staff involved in boarding live on site. Staff facilities include a modern and wellequipped staff room in both the Senior and Junior Schools. There is substantial technical support in the Sciences and technical subjects and excellent facilities to support teaching and administrative duties.

Transport links are good; the School is a mile from Ashtead train station with regular services to Epsom and London and south to Leatherhead and Guildford. The M25 junction 9 is a sevenminute drive from the School

Department Information

Physics at Freemen’s (May 2024)

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Physics Technician with the ability to deliver great resources to lessons and who will work collaboratively within an experienced and purposeful department. The post provides an excellent opportunity for someone to join this collegiate team, whose shared goal is to provide the best possible experience of Physics, including practically, to the students. The same is true for the few hours spent in Biology each week.

The Physics department is staffed by two ECTs (early careers teachers), three part-time and two full-time teachers, whilst Biology comprises three full-time teachers and a trainee teacher. The practical side of Physics will mostly be managed by the new appointee, who will work closely with the Senior Technician (Biology and Physics), who also works across both departments. The appointee will be line managed by the Senior Technician (Biology and Physics). There are four wellequipped laboratories for each Science and very well stocked prep rooms for the preparation and storage of practical equipment.

Lower Senior students in Year 7 are taught Science as a combined subject in three hours per week, but in Year 8 are taught Biology and Physics as separate subjects, with an hour per subject each week.

Edexcel’s International GCSE Physics syllabus is studied over three years in Years 9, 10 and 11 by all students. In Year 9, students have the equivalent of one-and-a-half hours per week of each Science, which rises to two hours per week in Years 10 and 11. Enthusiasm and enjoyment in the Sciences are high, one of many reasons being the development of students’ practical skills throughout the Senior School.

Many students choose to continue with the Sciences at A Level and there are three sets in each year group for Physics and two for Biology. These students have six hours per week. We have followed the Edexcel A Level syllabuses for a number of years, which have produced pleasing results. Many Sixth Formers leave Freemen’s inspired to study Medicine, Engineering or other Sciences at university.

Person Specification

Please find below the qualifications, experience and technical skills required to undertake this post. Each criterion will be assessed at application (A), interview (I) or test (T) as indicated below.

Professional Qualifications / Relevant Education & Training

• Evidence of sixth form or further/higher education including A Level Physics (or equivalent). (A)

• Awareness of relevant health and safety requirements. (A, I)

Experience Required, including Budget Holding Experience (if appropriate)

• Experience of handling common Science apparatus. (A, I, T)

• Proven experience of Physics practical lesson preparation up to and including A Level or equivalent. (A, I, T)

• Experience of working in a laboratory or industrial setting. (A, I)

• Knowledge of the range of equipment used in a typical school Science Department. (A, I)

• Experience of working with children and a demonstrable commitment to the safety and welfare of children. (A, I)

Technical Skills

• Ability to make minor repairs to standard laboratory equipment. (A, I)

• Use of MS Office – word processing, spreadsheet and database skills. (A)

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with staff, pupils and parents. (A, I)

Other Relevant Information eg. working hours or desirables (only if applicable)

• Experience of handling chemicals, micro-organisms and dissection specimens and microscopes would be beneficial. (A, I)

• An awareness of how to manage budgets would be beneficial. (A, I)

Recruitment – Note to Applicants

The qualifications, experience and technical skills will be used in the decision-making process for recruitment. Please give examples of how you have exhibited these behaviours in your previous role(s). It is essential you address the criteria marked as (A) on your application form in the section for supporting information.

Be as specific as possible, as we cannot guess or make assumptions, but will assess your application solely on the information provided. Try to provide evidence, by examples, where possible, of skills, knowledge and experience contained in this person specification.

Job Description – Physics Technician

Reporting to:

Senior Technician (Biology and Physics)

Purpose of Post:

To support the Physics Department teaching staff in the delivery of the Physics curriculum to pupils from Years 7 to 13. The role will also involve some support for the Biology Department, but the successful candidate will be based in Physics. The post holder will work within a team-based organisation, relating their work to the priorities and philosophy of the Physics and Biology Departments. The post holder will work closely with the other three Senior Science technicians, namely the Senior Technician (Biology and Physics), Senior Technician (Chemistry) and Chemistry Technician.

Main duties and responsibilities

The post holder will work under the guidance of the Senior Technician (Biology and Physics), as well as the Heads of Physics and Biology, and must comply fully with the Science Department’s health and safety policy. The post holder has responsibilities to:

• Provide experimental apparatus for lessons, ensuring the equipment is working as expected, then clear apparatus from the labs and return it in a clean and working state to the storage area. Dispose of any waste material or chemicals in accordance with CLEAPSS guidance.

• Maintain, repair and construct apparatus.

• Keep the Physics labs and the Prep Room well-stocked

• and maintain these rooms in a clean and organised manner.

• Provide technical support and guidance for pupils and teaching staff, and trial experiments when required.

• Act as Radiation Protection Supervisor alongside the Head of Physics and perform monthly store checks and yearly leak tests on the radioactive sources.

• Carry out safety checks and take appropriate action if required.

• Carry out risk assessments.

• Update inventories, stock lists and experiment notes on the Physics area of SharePoint.

• Monitor stock levels and order equipment and stationery before it is required by teachers

.

• Issue textbooks to pupils and ensure returned textbooks are in a good condition so that they can be issued the following year.

• Care for plants during term time so they are ready to be used in Biology lessons.

Job description – Physics Technician

Team Working

• Participating in decision making within the Science team to ensure the delivery of a high-quality curriculum to pupils.

• Developing and maintaining constructive relationships with teaching staff.

• Implementing equipment delivery for teaching staff within reasonable time scales.

• Considering available resources and their effective deployment.

Other Points

• Actively seek to implement and comply with the School’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to demonstrate a commitment to the safety and welfare of children

• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

• Reporting all accidents via the School’s Accident Reporting Hotline.

• Informing the COO of any concerns regarding Health and Safety and safe working practices.

• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

• To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade.

Revision of Job Description

• According to the development and requirement of the School, job descriptions may need to be reviewed and updated periodically after consultation with the job holder.

"This friendly, grounded and well-run school takes the pressure off getting academically bright young things into senior schools and seems to have a knack of making challenging work seem fun."

The Good Schools Guide

Professional expectations of staff

Safeguarding

Staff will be kind, fair and respectful to students and each other, challenge others when they are unkind, unfair or disrespectful and have the highest regard for the students’ safety and their safeguarding duties, whether on or off the school premises.

Appearance

Smart professional dress, or appropriate co-curricular clothing, at all times.

Availability

Prompt attendance during the School’s operating hours and a commitment to completing School business is expected.

Awareness and use of Freemen’s policies

Staff will be able to access and use policies as necessary, and read and act upon them appropriately.

Behaviour

Staff will establish Freemen’s as a place of learning and will determine clear boundaries of behaviour, based on mutual respect and trust. Staff will have high expectations of students and will manage their behaviour effectively.

Collective responsibility

Staff share collective responsibility for Freemen’s standards, reputation and property, should treat them with respect and care, and insist others do likewise.

Communication

Staff will expect high standards of communication from students and will, in turn, demonstrate accurate, timely and appropriate communication when dealing with students, parents and colleagues.

Ethics and behaviour

Staff will uphold public trust in the profession and the reputation of Freemen’s by maintaining high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside School. They will be respectful and tolerant of the rights of others, including colleagues, and not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will ensure that their personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

Learn, lead and make a difference

Leaders

Staff will be leaders in the School, exercising good judgement and modelling the behaviour and habits that are expected of the students.

Learners

Staff will show and share a passion for their subject or discipline(s). They will seek to develop as professionals and as specialists, will be open to feedback and will seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and engage with relevant research.

Planning

Teaching staff will have a sense of where the lesson fits within the scheme of work and plan well-structured lessons using an appropriate range of pedagogies.

Use of feedback

Staff will seek to use feedback for themselves and if appropriate, their students and will complete assessments and reports in a timely fashion in the appropriate manner and style.

How to apply

Applicants should send a letter of application and a completed application form to the School by emailing

CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk, By 17th May 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews that will take place the following week.

Candidates are asked to note that Freemen’s retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process. Early applications are encouraged.

Freemen’s acknowledges receipt of all applications, if you have not received confirmation of the safe receipt of your application within two working days please call the School or email

CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk to check on its status.

The successful candidate must be able to satisfy the City of London’s health requirements and a confidential medical assessment by the City of London’s Medical Officer is required.

The City of London Freemen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).

"Friendly was the single most uttered word used to describe the school by students, while parents report that their offspring are happy. ‘Kind’ and ‘nonjudgemental,’ we also heard, with support on tap."

The Good Schools Guide

Your benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Contributory defined benefit

Family friendly

Significantly enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement

Free lunch and refreshments

The option to join Supper Club at a subsidised rate

Annual Leave 25/29 days (subject to grade) plus bank holidays increasing with service.

Cycle to work scheme

Up to £3,000 salary sacrifice

Season Ticket Loan

Free parking on site

Access to on-site facilities

City of London benefits:

• CityBenefits - discounts and cashback.

• Wellbeing resources.

• Sponsorship to become a Freeman of the City of London.

Sports and Leisure:

• Discounted gym membership.

• Free use of the fitness suite.

• Staff social and sporting opportunities including pilates, yoga and five-a-side football.

• Free staff swimming and weekend family swimming for staff.

Learning and Development:

• In-house and externally run CPL

• Enquiring Schools project

• Support for professional development appropriate to the role including Apprenticeships/Masters.

Wellbeing:

• Up to 2 days’ paid leave for volunteering.

• Cash back on private health care treatment.

• Access to on-site Medical Centre.

• Staff Wellbeing Committee.

• Confidential Employee Assistance for staff and their families.

• Emergencies-only approach to out of hours email.

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"A down-to-earth, friendly school that’s comfortable in its own skin rather than relentlessly trying to show off its most polished side – and is all the better for it. Just the ticket for parents after a high-quality, stress-free route for their academically bright sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18. Almost unique around here."

The Good Schools Guide