Bright Sparks Science was formed in 2011. We are a growing organisation, working in over 65 primary schools across Oxfordshire and Berkshire. We are passionate about giving children the opportunities that they deserve, and we focus on developing bright futures through additional science tuition.
The main role is to present and deliver 1-hour fun science club sessions for approximately 15-20 pupils, aged 5-11 years, after school in local primary schools in the Oxfordshire or Berkshire area. The role has varied working hours (according to the school) between 2.45 pm and 4.45 pm. Your responsibilities will include being at the school with plenty of time to set up and clearing away the classroom to the original state after the club has finished. Bright Sparks Science provides the schemes of work and all equipment for each After School Club that runs for a term in each school.
The role:
We are looking for organised, positive, passionate individuals to teach primary-age children science during after-school club sessions that are linked to the curriculum and lots of fun. Candidates will need strong classroom management skills as well as experience of working with primary school-aged pupils. You will be expected to confidently present a variety of science themes, whilst providing a safe environment for the children to complete the activities and ensure sessions are fun and engaging. The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team.
Areas of Responsibility:
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Deliver quality science tuition, activities and life-skill opportunities within a safe environment, across both KS1 and KS2 levels.
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Provide comprehensive care for the children including delivering them safely to parents or carers at the end of the session.
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Ensure policies and procedures at clubs are adhered to by yourself and the children.
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Complete registration and hand-over of children at either end of the club and exchange relevant information to parents, guardians or school representatives.
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Facilitating good communication with all members of the Bright Sparks Science organisation.
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Where necessary share appropriate information with professionals and/or colleagues as may be required to keep everyone safe.
Duties and Key Tasks to include:
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Undertaking appropriate and relevant training.
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Setting up the club session space including moving furniture and equipment.
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Working within the framework of the club’s policies and procedures.
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Continuous supervision of children whilst within your care.
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Keeping the work environment healthy, safe and secure.
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Collect after school club kit on a weekly basis and replenish kits on return to the Head Office.
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Discuss and make provision for children who are SEND or who have other particular individual needs, with Bright Sparks Science’s Schools co-ordinator or a school representative.
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the position, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.
Personal Specification:
It is essential that candidates:
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Have relevant experience working with 5 to 11-year-olds.
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Have a valid driving license and use of their own car so they can travel to and from clubs and Head Office with relevant equipment.
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Have a mobile phone so that they can keep in touch with the School’s Coordinator or report absences to the school.
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Have GCSE's and/or A-Levels (or equivalent) in the sciences.
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Have a good understanding of and an interest in science.
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Have a commitment to safeguarding children
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Have good classroom control and can demonstrate positively managed behaviour.
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Sound judgement, common sense and the ability to act on one’s own initiative.
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Sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of the children.
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Are responsible, reliable individuals with good organisational and excellent communication skills.
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Are flexible and able to adapt to effectively deal with unpredictable challenges in an ever-changing environment.
It is desirable that candidates:
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Are energetic individuals, passionate about working with children through play and activity and can take an enthusiastic approach to the role.
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Demonstrate competency and ability to tailor the delivery of activities according to age and capability.
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Someone with enthusiasm and the willingness to have a go at anything.
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Someone looking to further their career in childcare, teaching or coaching industry or to gain paid experience, relevant to a PGCE application.
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Hold a previous DBS check which is registered on the DBS Update Service.
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Have knowledge of safeguarding and child protection.
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Live in the Oxfordshire/Berkshire area as successful candidates are required to regularly go to Head Office to collect equipment.
Salary and Benefit overview
Casual / zero hours Contract:
Our science after-school clubs take place on weekdays during term time, which runs for one hour and takes place between the hours of 2 pm-5 pm, depending on when the school day finishes. The minimum age to be Science ASC Instructor is 18 years old, due to the lone-working responsibilities whilst caring for children. Bright Sparks Science rates of pay for ASC Instructors are per club; £29.00 (18-20 yrs), £33.00 (21yrs+) per ASC. The average after-school club takes 2 hours, including set up time, pack away time and kit cleaning time. As part of your duties, you will be expected to travel to Head Office once a week to collect /return an ASC kit.
Under this contract of employment, you will be classed as a worker, not an employee and work will be offered to you on a termly basis. Working hours can vary depending on the fluctuating needs of the business and your availability. If you are able to give us a terms set availability in advance then we can fit work in and around your schedule. A calendar of available shifts is made available a term in advance of the after-school club sessions and individuals can choose which shifts to accept. Workers are only expected to commit to one school term at a time.
Holiday Pay:
Pro-rated based on a full-time entitlement of 5.6 weeks holiday during each full holiday year. Workers will receive a payment for any accrued annual leave every 12 weeks. Annual leave entitlement will be calculated as an average wage according to the 12 weeks pay reference period.
Pension:
Automatic enrolment duties apply to any staff that is aged 22 to state pension age and earn over £192 a week or £833 a month; they must be put into a pension scheme which the business must contribute towards. The pension scheme chosen by the employer is Smart Pensions. The employers’ contributions are set at 3% of staff’s earnings and workers will contribute 5% of their earnings. Workers can choose to opt-out of the Smart Pension scheme within one month of being put into a scheme.
Place of work:
Your main place of work will be listed as our Head Office. You will be expected to travel to the school’s premises on the day of your after-school club, from your home which is accounted for in the rate of pay. You will be informed in advance of being required to work at specific locations and you will receive a mileage allowance for the return journey from your home to the host school, travelling to schools no further than 45 mins from your home postcode area for clubs. Workers should consider whether they live within reasonable travelling time/distance of the venues to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Mileage Allowances:
Due to the nature of the job, Science ASC instructors should have a valid driving license and use of their own car. Mileage Allowance Payments are paid to workers who use their own vehicle for travel and the rates include the general running costs of your car like maintenance and insurance. Bright Sparks Science will pay a mileage allowance to host schools and rates are increased to reflect longer journeys for large distances. For Instructors using public transport, Bright Sparks Science will reimburse the cost of travel i.e. bus or train fares.
Training:
All Science ASC Instructors receive full and comprehensive training to ensure they are ready!
CLUB KIT TRAINING: Science ASC Instructors will receive compulsory training, which covers the specific science syllabus and activities as well as everything from safeguarding to classroom management and child welfare. This hands-on training will go through the theory and practical skills required to ensure the children have a great time. This can be a paid day of training or a short weekly session and provides an opportunity to get to grips with the science content ahead of delivering a club.
ONLINE TRAINING: all staff must complete an introductory to safeguarding online course consisting of videos and multiple-choice assessment questions. This will also be where you will learn all the policies and procedures required for the job role.
Coming on board with our team will also give you the opportunity to obtain a level 3 paediatric first aid training certificate that will be valid for three years... Free of charge worth over £150!
Health check:
Confirmation of appointment to the position will be subject to you completing a declaration statement of your fitness for work.
References:
Confirmation of appointment is also subject to satisfactory references.
Background checks:
Bright Sparks Science is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to relevant checks in line with safe recruitment guidelines, including, but not limited to, DBS Disclosure checks, identity checks, employment history and reference checks, and international criminal record checks where required. Bright Sparks Science believes that all staff needs to be vigilant and act on any concerns they may have regarding the welfare of the children they are working with. If any member of staff has any suspicions about the treatment of a child, or actions of an adult, they must immediately raise it, either to the Bright Sparks Science Senior Management Team, local authority safeguarding services or the police.
Selection & Application Process:
Please submit an application form, clearly stating how your experience/qualifications match those required.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to a telephone interview and if selected will be required to complete a training session. All job role appointments are subject to satisfactory training attendance, references and DBS Status.
At Bright Sparks Science we strongly believe in respect and equal treatment for all persons regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, marital status, civil partnership status, colour, nationality, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation or physical ability. We insist that this respect is applied in every aspect of our business and in how we conduct ourselves.
For more information or an informal conversation about the role, please speak with Jenny Turner, Managing Director on 01865 522 775
About Bright Sparks Science:
Bright Sparks Science and Events were formed in 2011. We are a growing organisation, working in over 65 primary schools across Oxfordshire and Berkshire. We are passionate about giving children the opportunities that they deserve, and we focus on developing bright futures through additional science tuition.During the week, our instructors present and deliver 1 hour fun science club sessions for approximately 15-20 pupils, aged 5-11 years, after school in local primary schools in the Oxfordshire or Berkshire area. On the weekends, our children’s party entertainers perform our exciting Science Party Packages that include inspiring scientific demonstrations, science based games and hands-on activities that captivate both parents and children alike.In the school holidays, our activity instructors, provide fun-packed science camps, where we have a reputation for delivering high quality, exciting science activity days that children love.Our staff don’t just present any old science; they entertain children with their understanding of weird and wonderful science and have them gasping with delight throughout their performance. In fact we like to call it Edu-tainment!
