THE ROLE
St Bees School is seeking to appoint an organised, proactive and knowledgeable Science Laboratory Technician to support the delivery of high-quality practical science across the School.
As the School’s sole Laboratory Technician, the postholder will play a central role within the Science Faculty, working closely with a team of three science teachers and supporting Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Year 7 through to Year 13.
St Bees is a small school with single-class year groups and small class sizes, particularly at A Level. This enables close collaboration between the Laboratory Technician and teaching staff and provides the opportunity to support high-quality and ambitious practical science across all age groups.
The postholder will be responsible for the effective day-to-day technical operation of the Science Faculty, including the preparation of practical work, management of laboratories and resources, health and safety compliance, and technical support for practical examinations.
The successful candidate will be organised, practical and able to work independently, while contributing positively to a close-knit and collaborative Science Faculty.
Start Date: September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter
Contract: Permanent, term-time only
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 37 weeks per year
Salary: In line with comparable state-sector roles and dependent upon experience
Responsible to: Head of Science
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Practical Science Support
The postholder will:
- Prepare equipment, apparatus, chemicals, solutions, specimens and other materials for practical lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Year 7 to Year 13.
- Set up and test experiments, investigations and demonstrations, ensuring that practical activities are safe and effective.
- Clear away practical activities and clean, maintain and safely store equipment and materials.
- Prepare solutions, reagents, slides, cultures and other specialist materials as required.
- Support teachers in planning practical activities and provide technical advice on equipment, methods and safety.
- Assist staff and students in the safe and appropriate use of specialist scientific equipment.
- Liaise with teaching staff to plan practical requirements, manage competing requests and ensure the effective allocation of equipment and resources.
- Construct, adapt or modify simple practical equipment and apparatus where appropriate and within the postholder's competence.
- Provide technical and practical support for science trips, visits and fieldwork where reasonably required.
Practical Examinations and Public Examinations
The postholder will:
- Support IGCSE and A Level practical examinations, including preparing and testing apparatus and materials and setting up laboratories and examination rooms in accordance with examination board requirements.
- Work closely with the Examinations Officer, Head of Science and relevant teaching staff to ensure that all practical examination requirements are met accurately and within required timescales.
- Maintain the security and confidentiality of examination materials and provide permitted technical support during practical examinations where required.
- During the public examination period, provide reasonable practical and administrative support to the School's examination arrangements, including assistance with examination room preparation and set-up.
Laboratory and Resource Management
The postholder will:
- Take day-to-day responsibility for the organisation and effective operation of the science laboratories, preparation areas and stores.
- Maintain laboratories, preparation rooms and storage areas in a safe, clean, tidy and well-organised condition.
- Maintain accurate inventories of scientific equipment and resources, including their location and condition.
- Monitor stock levels and order chemicals, equipment and consumables in consultation with the Head of Science.
- Source and purchase locally available materials and consumables required for practical science activities, including everyday items and biological materials, as necessary.
- Receive, check and safely store deliveries.
- Undertake regular stocktaking and contribute to forward planning for equipment and resource needs.
- Clean, maintain and undertake minor repairs to scientific equipment where appropriate, arranging specialist servicing or repair when necessary.
- Ensure relevant equipment checks, servicing and maintenance records are completed and retained.
- Manage the safe disposal of chemicals, biological materials and other laboratory waste.
- Identify and report maintenance issues affecting laboratories, preparation areas and scientific facilities.
Health, Safety and Compliance
The postholder will:
- Ensure that laboratories, preparation rooms, stores, equipment and practical activities are managed safely and in accordance with relevant legislation, School policies, COSHH requirements and current CLEAPSS guidance.
- Make effective use of the School's CLEAPSS membership, guidance and technical support services and undertake relevant training where appropriate.
- Support the Head of Science and teaching staff in the preparation, review and implementation of risk assessments for practical activities.
- Ensure the safe labelling, storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, hazardous substances and biological materials.
- Maintain appropriate inventories, safety records and compliance documentation.
- Undertake appropriate checks of laboratory equipment and safety equipment and report hazards, defects or compliance concerns promptly.
- Keep up to date with relevant developments in school laboratory practice, health and safety requirements and CLEAPSS guidance.
Faculty and Wider School Support
The postholder will:
- Work collaboratively with the School's three science teachers to ensure effective forward planning and coordination of practical work across the Faculty.
- Support the planning and delivery of the School's Science Fair, including the preparation of equipment, materials and practical demonstrations.
- Support Admissions events and Open Days, helping to showcase the Science Faculty and its practical provision to prospective students and families.
- Support student Induction Days and transition activities, including practical science activities and demonstrations.
- Support science competitions, enrichment activities and other Faculty events where appropriate.
- Contribute to the presentation of the laboratories and Science Faculty as welcoming, engaging and inspiring learning environments.
- Remain vigilant to safeguarding and welfare concerns and report these in accordance with School procedures.
Administrative and General Support
The postholder will:
- Undertake administrative tasks necessary for the effective operation of the Science Faculty, including maintaining records, inventories, purchasing records and departmental documentation.
- Support the Head of Science with ordering, invoice processing and monitoring expenditure.
- Liaise with suppliers, contractors and external organisations as required.
- Provide reasonable general administrative and practical support to the wider School where required and where compatible with the primary responsibilities of the role.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
The successful candidate will have:
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- A good standard of general education, including literacy and numeracy.
- Scientific knowledge to at least GCSE level or equivalent.
- Experience of laboratory work, science technical support or a comparable scientific or technical environment, or demonstrable practical aptitude and a willingness to undertake appropriate training.
- Good practical and problem-solving skills.
- A strong understanding of the importance of laboratory safety and safe working practices.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- The ability to work independently and confidently as the School's sole Laboratory Technician.
- The ability to prioritise a varied workload and respond effectively to competing demands.
- A proactive approach and the initiative to improve systems, organisation and working practices.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with staff and students.
- Competence in the use of standard IT systems for communication, ordering, spreadsheets and record keeping.
Desirable
It would be advantageous for candidates to have:
- Previous experience as a Science Technician within a secondary school, sixth form or college.
- Experience supporting practical science at IGCSE, GCSE or A Level.
- A relevant scientific or technical qualification.
- Practical experience across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Knowledge or experience of CLEAPSS guidance, COSHH requirements and risk assessment procedures.
- Experience of preparing chemical solutions and/or microbiological materials.
- Experience of maintaining and undertaking minor repairs to scientific equipment.
- Experience of stock management, purchasing and laboratory inventory systems.
Working Arrangements
The role is for 37.5 hours per week over 37 weeks of the year, comprising 35 weeks during School term time and 2 additional weeks. The additional working weeks will include INSET days and time for departmental preparation, stocktaking, ordering, equipment checks, laboratory organisation and other work necessary for the effective operation of the Science Faculty. The precise timing of these additional working days will be agreed according to School and departmental requirements.
Some flexibility may occasionally be required to support key School events, including Admissions events, Induction Days, the Science Fair and public examinations.
APPLICATION
All applications should be made on the School’s application form. CVs should not be included. No supporting letter is required or expected since the application form specifies all required content. This information will be treated confidentially.
The school reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable candidate be identified.
Completed application forms should be emailed to: [email protected]
St Bees School is committed to Equal Opportunities and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory employment checks, references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
