Appointment of DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

Letter from Chair of Governors

Dear potential applicant

Thank you for your interest in the position of Design & Technology Technician at Kingsmeadow School.  I hope that you will find the information pack interesting and inspiring. The governors are extremely proud of the school.  It is a very exciting place to learn, for students and staff.  New developments are becoming well established, taking the school forward to achieve its ambition of becoming an outstanding school and provide a ‘World Class’ education for its students.  An innovative curriculum, effective teaching strategies and strong pastoral care continue to raise standards and ensure students become confident, lifelong learners. Last year Kingsmeadow gained it’s best ever GCSE results at a time where accountability measures continue to rise.

Governors and senior leaders are united in their aim that each individual student achieves his or her maximum potential regardless of prior achievement.  Behaviour and pastoral care are exemplary.  The school has an inclusive ethos and the gap between the achievement of Pupil Premium students (who make up about half of the school population) and others is narrowing year on year.  

A very clear vision and school improvement plan all help staff to have clear aims and targets. Teamwork is well developed, with staff learning from and supporting each other, and there are opportunities to develop leadership skills.  Staff are very well supported through performance management and a focused, relevant CPD programme which meets individual as well as whole school needs.  

This is an exciting opportunity to join the school team and help shape the future of our school. I urge you to visit us to learn more and to see our excellent modern facilities at first hand.  

Yours sincerely,

Sarah DiggleChair of Governors

January 2018

Dear Candidate

Design & Technology Technician

Thank you for your interest in the above post at Kingsmeadow School.

I am delighted to present Kingsmeadow to you as a great school with many unique and outstanding features. Our most recent OFSTED report acknowledged the excellent work we are doing in raising academic standards. There is however significant challenge in the immediate future and we are looking to appoint a Design & Technology Technician who has what it takes to rise to this challenge and be pivotal in the schools future success.

The successful candidate will therefore:

Not be put off by failure and possess relentless energy Have high expectations of students, and of self as a positive role model Be a team player Have a sense of humour

If you require any further information prior to making an application, please contact Will Reynalds, Head of Department at wreynalds@kingsmeadow.org.uk or on 0191 4606004.

Internal visits are welcomed.

I look forward to receiving your application. Further information about our school can be found on our website.

With kind regards.

Yours faithfully

D VolpeHead Teacher

THE POST: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHER

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, you should complete an application form, giving the names and addresses of two referees (references will be taken-up prior to interview) together with a short covering letter.

The application form and safeguarding documentation, which also must be completed, can be found on the school’s website under Staff Vacancies.Candidates are kindly requested not to submit a CV instead of the application form.

Completed applications should be emailed to Mrs A Rodaway, PA to Head Teacher arodaway@kingsmeadow.org.uk and should arrive no later than Noon, 19th January 2018.

Interviews will take place on Friday 26th January 2018. We will contact you by close of day on Monday 22nd January 2018. Regretfully if you have not heard from us by this time you must assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion, in which case the Governors and I would like to thank you for your time and your interest in the school.

.

ABOUT KINGSMEADOW SCHOOL

We are a co-educational 11 – 18 school, offering a wide and varied curriculum. Our school ethos is key to our success and continued development.  At Kingsmeadow we take pride in ensuring that every aspect of the school’s work and development is focused around our school aims of inspiring minds, opening hearts and transforming lives.  We want all our community to be the best that they can be by challenging them to achieve their full potential.

As a REAL School, Kingsmeadow takes a genuine pride in ensuring that we function with a clear ethos and a belief in the worth of each and every member of our community. Our overarching aims are to ensure we have a school that understands and supports the needs and aspirations of all our students. The school provides a culture and ethos that develop highly effective staff and student leaders. We set the very highest expectations for students and staff and we are relentless in striving for the highest possible excellence in academic as well as social standards. We aim to have the highest possible standards of teaching in the classroom, with staff achieving ‘mastery’ in their practice, engaging and inspiring students to achieve at the very highest level.  

Kingsmeadow aims to produce lifelong learners that will leave at the end of their time with us equipped to continue their journey as not only learners and leaders, but more importantly well rounded members of our community.

Our latest OFSTED (April 2017) commented that:

‘the curriculum gives pupils the opportunity to study a wide range of relevant subjects’

‘pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strongly promoted through aspects of the curriculum and a rich range of extra-curricular opportunities………. Many pupils take part in activities that enhance their personal development and their understanding of life in British society effectively.’  

At Kingsmeadow we are committed to constantly challenging students and staff to work to the very highest standards. Students deserve a stimulating and engaging curriculum. One that allows them to achieve at the very highest levels and one that pushes them beyond their own expectations.

The school body works hard to maintain developments and is constantly seeking challenges to develop practice through collaborations between ourselves and other like minded schools and groups. The aim is to constantly seek to innovate and improve the offer for students and the local community. While academic success is important, the REAL approach is also focused on providing a platform for developing well equipped, well rounded, knowledgeable citizens of the world community – a REAL ‘whole education’.

The strength of any school lies in the ‘glue’ that holds the school experience together for students, staff and their families.  It is the ethos and value set that sets it apart. Our ‘glue’ at Kingsmeadow are the opportunities and experience that students are exposed to, to aspire to success. This may be academic, it may be sporting, representing the school in a performance, being part of a club or contributing to the school radio, to name but a few. It is the activity that pulls the other parts of the school experience together.

The school curriculum promotes positive character traits that help to underpin our values and support the development of well-rounded citizens of the world community. These are:Integrity, Courage, Respect, Compassion, Pride and Quality

Kingsmeadow is a community school. The education that is provided is done so in collaboration with parents and families. The school building and services are an integral part of this offer and is very much a resource for the community.  The buildings and grounds are maintained to the highest standard and provide an excellent learning environment and workplace for students and staff. The infrastructure and environment for learning is second to none and supports the exciting and innovative curriculum offered to the community of learners at Kingsmeadow.  The school has at its heart a clear sense of direction and purpose. One that places the learner at the core. What you will see as you walk around the school is a sense of purpose with all pulling in the same direction. The common belief is that every student, every member of staff and every member of the wider community that becomes a part of Kingsmeadow will work hard and contribute, but in return will grow, will gain the opportunities that being a part of a vibrant forward thinking and innovative community brings.

I recommend Kingsmeadow School to you and I hope that this brief outline gives you a sense of the environment, ethos and community of our school.

DOMENIC VOLPE

HEAD TEACHER

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The Technology department at Kingsmeadow boasts two full time and two part time members of staff as well as a full time technician.

The department is well resourced with each classroom having an interactive whiteboard and access to two banks of laptop computers, contributing on a day-to-day basis to the digital awareness, experience and skills of our students.

We have five Technology classrooms. Two fully equipped food rooms, a textiles room, workshop and multi-purpose design room. We have a range of up to date technology including a 3D printer, laser cutter and high-speed router, which we try to incorporate into our lessons.

Technology is taught at key stages three, four and five. At key stage three pupils spend a term studying Product design, Food technology and textiles before choosing their options at the end of year 8. At Key Stage four pupils have the choice to study Product design, Food Technology, Hospitality and Catering, textiles, BTEC Children's play learning and development and Engineering.

WILL REYNALDSHEAD OF DEPARTMENT

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

HeadteacherMr D. Volpe

Deputy HeadteacherMr M Barrett

Business ManagerMrs M. Webb

Directors

Mrs Claire Richardson – Head of Pastoral Care

Mr R. Mills – Director of Achievement and Assessment

Mrs R. Allan – Director of SEND

Mrs J. McGarry – Director of More Able and Sixth Form

Mrs M. Langley – Director of CPD, Head of History/REAL

Miss A. Douglas – Director of Literacy, Head of English

Job Profile

Job Title Reports to Department

D&T Technician Head of Department Design & Technology

Salary Grade Line Management Responsibilities

Grade D - £17,072 - £17,772

Pro-rata to Term Time Only - £14,537 - £15,133

37 hours per week

No

Core Purpose

To work under the direction of the Head of Department or other appropriate supervisor, and in accordance with the practices and procedures of the school, ensure that a safe, effective and efficient technical service is provided for the use of students and teaching staff, including, where applicable, the provision of technical advice and assistance in the classroom, the preparation of materials and ingredients, and the preparation and routine maintenance of resources and equipment.

Responsibilities

Support for Students

Provide support for students in accessing learning activities as directed by the class teacher.

Provide feedback to students in relation to progress and achievement, as directed by the class teacher.

Support for the Teacher

Monitor and maintain a clean, orderly and productive working environment, including putting away and cleaning equipment after use by the class.

Timely preparation and basic maintenance of specialist equipment as set out in manufacturers’ instructions.

To prepare and assemble apparatus and components for demonstration, class practical work, assessments and examinations.

To prepare equipment and materials.

To test and calibrate both existing and new equipment.

Maintain records as requested.

Assist the teacher during learning activities ensuring health and safety and the safe behaviour of students.

Support the teacher in the preparation and maintenance of wall displays.

Provide basic support, when appropriate, to all teaching staff, including:

Photocopying Printing Basic word processing Collection and recording of money Data entry

To undertake general tasks according to the needs of the department such as maintenance of workshop, food rooms, textiles room, preparation and storerooms, transporting supplies, preparation of audio/visual material as required by departmental teaching staff, etc.

Support for the Curriculum

Monitor and manage the use of resources and ensure their orderly and secure storage, cataloguing as required to ensure that appropriate levels of stock are maintained to meet the requirements of the department.

To ensure that any material debris, ingredients or hazardous materials/spills are removed from the sinks, bench tops and other areas to provide a safe environment for cleaning staff and others.

To ensure that residues and outdated stock are disposed of in a safe, efficient manner.

To undertake administrative tasks associated with the post, including stock recording, and ordering, for example materials, ingredients and other consumables

Maintenance of specialist equipment checking for safety and undertaking repairs within own capabilities and, where applicable, recommend or arrange outside repairs, replacement or maintenance.

To monitor the condition and stock levels of all apparatus, components, ingredients and materials with regard to shelf life, safety and economy by undertaking regular checks.

To diagnose faults and take necessary action accordingly, including proposing alternatives for damaged/faulty equipment.

To check and empty extraction systems on a regular basis. To ensure that health and hygiene standards are maintained in food technology rooms

Demonstrate and assist others in the safe and effective use of specialist resources/equipment.

To ensure that equipment, materials and apparatus, including teaching aids, are maintained in a serviceable and safe condition.

To deal with spillages/emergencies during practical activities.

To ensure that hazardous materials are left stored in a safe and secure condition, ready for re-use.

To maintain all safety equipment used by technicians, teaching staff and students to the highest standard.

Undertake structured and agreed learning activities under the supervision of teaching staff:

To construct and devise equipment to meet the changing needs of practical programmes, including the manufacture of teaching aids. To adapt apparatus and basic storage facilities.

Support for the School

Comply with all school policies relating to:

Health and Safety

Equal Opportunities Child Protection Confidentiality and data protection

To liaise with external agencies such as suppliers and manufacturers regarding the provision, installation and repair of equipment, furniture, etc.

To be aware of, and to comply with, all departmental/school instructions and procedures relating to health and safety at work and to recognise the main responsibilities required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation.

To contribute to safe working practice in preparation/storage/teaching areas.

Work in such a way as to promote the ethos and vision of the school.

Participate in training and development, and activities that contribute to the management of performance.

To maintain an up to date knowledge of technical developments in the field.

Assist with the management of pupils outside the classroom e.g. lunch times and outside the school e.g. school trips as directed by the class teacher and member of the school’s management.

Attend and participate in regular meetings as required

Assist with the supervision of pupils outside of normal lesson times e.g. after school clubs

To undertake other duties and responsibilities as required commensurate with the grade of the post

The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Description are indicative and may vary over time.  Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post and the grade has been established on this basis.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN AF – Application Form SP – Selection Process Ref – Reference

Specification Essential/Desirable Method of AssessmentQUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Good numeracy and literacy skills Desirable AF NQT Level 2 or equivalent Desirable AF Qualification or experience in a relevant discipline Desirable AF

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ATTRIBUTES Well organised Essential AF, SP & Ref

Ability to meet deadlines Essential AF & SP

A commitment to support teaching & learning Essential AF & SP

Specialist knowledge of the Technology environment and schools Desirable AF & SP

Ability to use IT effectively Essential AF & SP

Knowledge of Google Apps Desirable AF & SP

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Enthusiasm, drive and love for the job Essential SP & Ref

Passion for ensuring all aspects of school life demonstrate integrity and respect Essential SP & Ref

Excellent communication skills Essential SP & Ref

Ability to organise, plan and prioritise time effectively Essential SP & Ref

Sense of humour Essential SP

Excellent attendance and punctuality Essential Ref