Lark Hill Road

Preston

Lancashire

PR1 4HD

Tel: 01772 460181

Fax: 01772 204671

Email: hr@cardinalnewman.ac.uk

Web: www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk

Dear Applicant

We are delighted that you are considering completing an application for the post of Science Technician to commence as soon as practicable.

Cardinal Newman is a wonderful place to start (or to continue) your career and we welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced applicants. We are a distinctive Catholic Sixth Form College, which welcomes colleagues and students of all faiths, and which has a real feeling of community and it is a happy, thriving and highly successful College.

At Cardinal Newman College we are committed to the development of the whole person and we value each student as an individual with a unique mix of skills and talents. Our students achieve outstanding results placing the College at the top of the performance tables out of over 400 Colleges nationally for the last four years. We were awarded Beacon Status in 2010 and the College enjoyed an ‘outstanding’ Inspection in May 2009. However, we are as proud of our students’ social, cultural and spiritual achievements as we are of their outstanding exam results.

We have a fabulous team of colleagues who give up an extraordinary amount of time to support their students and their fellow members of staff. The dedication and attention to quality they exhibit is what makes our College so successful.

If you meet the criteria of the post advertised and feel that you would enjoy working here, we hope you will make an application to join us. Completed application forms should be returned to the Human Resources Department (via email or post) by 9.00 am on 12th January 2015. Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place 15th January 2015 (between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon). We do ask that you accept, in the interests of economy, that if you have not heard from us by the end of January that you will not have been selected for interview on this occasion.

Should you have any questions which are not covered in the enclosed information please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources Department.

Yours faithfully

Nick Burnham

Principal

Mission Statement

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all out students and staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

Values Statement

Cardinal Newman College is a community which aims to live out the gospel values of service and love. This means that:

· The individual student is central to all our endeavours

· The College values each individual as a unique person irrespective of gender, race, belief or ability and regards each person, made in the image and likeness of God, as worthy of the utmost respect

· The College strives to develop each person intellectually, socially and spiritually through an inclusive programme of study and enrichment

· The College values the spiritual journey of each individual and will offer opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search

· The College is committed to creating a culture that is open and welcoming, free from fear and from violence of any kind, in which all individuals feel safe, happy and secure

· The College provides learning environments that are stimulating, enjoyable and challenging to students, fostering their creativity, imagination and search for truth

· The College encourages individuals to contribute positively to the world in which they live, to challenge injustice and to seek out more co-operative, just and peaceful forms of human existence.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title:Science Technician

Responsible to:Senior Science Technician

Responsibilities:

· To be based in the preparation rooms and be available for support of teaching staff throughout the day during lesson time.

· To be responsible to the Senior Science Technician for the day-to-day running of the laboratories.

· To work within the Health and Safety and Security policies of the Science Department.

· To provide appropriate, functional apparatus, chemicals and biological specimens etc for practical work as instructed by individual teachers.

· To maintain sufficient stocks of practical materials and stationery as required.

· To organise, store and check the condition of chemicals and equipment.

· To ensure that spillages and breakages are dealt with immediately in a safe manner.

· To test experimental procedures when requested.

· To assist teachers and students during practical lessons when required.

· To give assistance with audio-visual matters and to prepare material on computer.

· To co-operate fully with teachers and other technicians in the efficient running of the Science Department

· To leave the preparation rooms in such a state that in the event of absence, the normal work of the department can carry on with minimum disruption.

· To ensure laboratories are safe and secure at the end of the day (i.e. windows and doors locked and all gas and electricity turned off) and that all apparatus and materials are returned to storage.

· Any other duties as deemed necessary within the scope of the post.

· To participate fully and positively in staff development opportunities to improve effectiveness, develop skills and increase/update knowledge.

· To follow all College policies and procedures and work in accordance with the College’s Safeguarding and Health & Safety Policies.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

SCIENCE TECHNICIAN

All staff must make a positive contribution to:

· the Catholic ethos of the College and its distinctive nature;

· the College Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety and Safeguarding Policies and Procedures;

· the pursuit of excellence and the highest standards of quality in all aspects of College life;

· their own professional development, in accordance with the needs of the College.

Essential

Desirable

How Identified

Relevant experience

· Experience in a similar post

· Previous laboratory experience

· Experience in culturing, handling and safe disposal of microorganisms

· Experience writing Risk Assessments

· Application Form

Qualifications / Education and Training

· English and Maths at GCSE or above

· A level or BTEC Level 3 Science qualifications

· IT qualification at or above Level 2

· Appropriate Level 5 qualification (degree level)

· Application form

Knowledge and Skills

· Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

· Knowledge of COSHH

· Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety

· Accuracy and record keeping

· Application form

· Interview / Test

· References

Personal qualities

· Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance*

· Medical clearance*

· Provision of two references which are deemed as satisfactory to the Principal*

· The ability to meet the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act (to be eligible to work in the UK)

· Committed to equality and diversity and safeguarding

· Excellent organisational skills

· Ability to communicate effectively with Staff of all levels

· Flexibility to work on a wide range of tasks

· Good team player

· Ability to work to defined deadlines

· Ability to work on own initiative

· Good record of attendance and punctuality (within the equality act)

· Suitability to work with children

· Patience

· Persistence

· Enthusiasm

· Sense of humour

· Confident and professional manner

· Interview / Test

· References

*Following an initial offer of appointment.

Cardinal Newman College has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to Enhanced Disclosure Clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please note candidates’ suitability to work with children will be explored at interview and confirmed through references for the appointee.

SUMMARY OF MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SUPPORT STAFF

SCIENCE TECHNICIAN

Salary

The post will be paid on the Sixth Form Colleges’ Support Staff Pay Spine Points 18 to 21– actual salary £14,228.97 to £15,195.40 gross per annum (pro rata to a full time salary of £16,490 - £17,610)

Payment

Salary will be paid by BACs transfer into your bank account on the last banking day of the month (except at Christmas when payment is made on the last day of term)

Pension Scheme

New employees will automatically become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (unless they opt-out).Further details are available at

https://www.yourpensionservice.org.uk/

Working Hours

37 hours per week - starting and finishing times as arranged with the Senior Science Technician. Term time only (195 days per annum). Holidays should be taken during periods outside of term time.

DBS Clearance and safeguarding checks

This post requires Enhanced clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service as well as a range of other safeguarding checks

About Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College is a Catholic Sixth Form College in the centre of the City of Preston. The College’s core activity is the provision of courses and learning opportunities for full time 16 – 18 learners, with courses offered during 2014/15 at Level 3 (95% of students studying at AS, A2, and BTEC), Level 2 (3% studying BTEC and GCSE), and an Essential Skills course for 44 young people with specific learning needs.  At the start of the present academic year (2014/15), the college had 2,983 full time 16-18 learners on roll. In addition to the 16-18 provision, (which accounts for about 99% at the College), the College offers a limited range of part time courses for approximately 122 adults within Skills for Life (ESOL).

Cardinal Newman College is the post-16 provider for the Newman Partnership, a working group consisting of the College and ten Catholic Partner High Schools. The location of these schools demonstrates the wide area from which the College draws a significant proportion of its full time 16–18 learners. Because of its distinctive ethos, its reputation, the levels of achievement, the support the College offers students and its provision of high quality courses, Cardinal Newman College is also an attractive option for learners who attend other high schools in Preston and the surrounding area. Year-on-year applications from these schools have increased significantly. A cultural and spiritual diversity has developed that has been of immense benefit to all of its learners, and to the local community.

An Outstanding College

The college has been at the top of the DFE League Tables for points per student for 3 years running and the last Ofsted Inspection in the summer of 2009 graded all areas as ‘outstanding’. It confirmed that there is a culture of high expectations and rigorous quality improvement in all areas. Standards, expectations and processes have continued to improve since then. Students achieve well above their (high) target grades and make a positive contribution to the College and its wider community. Student attendance and behaviour are exemplary, illustrating that the Catholic mission and ethos of the College is lived out at all levels.

Value added measured by ALPS places the college in the top 1% nationally and success rates are well above national benchmarks. Every year over three quarters of the college’s students progress to Higher Education with many going on to the most prestigious institutions and courses.

Students study in a purposeful and diverse environment with a strong focus on respect in which every learner genuinely does matter. The team of specialist RE teachers live out the college’s commitment to ‘valuing the spiritual journey of each individual and offering opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search’.

The college is wholly committed to promoting equality and diversity and information staff equality data and our equality objectives can be found on the link below:

http://www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk/pages/view/policies/homepage/equality#.U47gKPldVNk

Our Community

Links with the local and Catholic partner high schools are very strong. The Principal meets regularly with Headteachers and the Newman Partnership heads meet to discuss and share a wide range of curriculum, pastoral and strategic issues. Relationships with college trustees, and with the Diocese of Lancaster are maintained through the foundation governors.

The College has outstanding links with its local and wider community and learners and staff fully contribute to this. Students at the College are continually seeking to engage in volunteer work within the community. The most recent example of this is demonstrated in college plans to deliver the Community Sports Leadership Award at the St Augustine’s Centre. Other voluntary work is continued in the local community by the CAFOD Group, Essential Skills, Health and Social Care, the Medical Society and Chaplaincy. The curriculum departments also contribute widely to the links with local community groups, charities and local primary schools.

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all our students and staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

College Facilities

Over the past few years the College has embarked on an extensive redevelopment programme which has seen our students benefit from state of the art facilities. This strategy has seen the recently purchased St Augustine building now host a variety of newly renovated classrooms and drama/dance studios as well as the original sports facilities. This fantastic complex is an excellent addition to the campus as students studying Travel & Tourism, Sport, Dance and Performing Arts now have a new dedicated space for their course requirements. At the St James Art and Design Centre students work within a unique and creative atmosphere. Our Science and Maths subjects are all taught within the purpose built St Mary’s building, which is located opposite the main site. The St Cecilia building is a new £11 million development opened in March 2009 and has been a fabulous addition to the College facilities. The five storey building houses our new Music Academy, our Language courses (including laboratories and IT suites), English, Media, Film, Communication & Culture courses as well as our RE department. Along with classrooms and facilities for these subjects, there is also a TV studio, fully equipped photography studios, music practice rooms, recording suites and performance studio. The main college buildings are centred on a Georgian Mansion within stunning grounds which include a lake and wooded areas. The newly developed grounds include picnic areas and landscaped gardens. Adjacent to this is the St Bede building. This area has been totally refurbished and now houses Religious Studies, Philosophy and Critical Thinking as well as Fine Art in state-of-the-art classrooms. It also provides students with a huge range of social spaces and catering options.

Staff at Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College has achieved its success through the hard work, skills, attitude and commitment of its 240 plus staff. We wish to work in an inclusive and transparent style of management that is open, consultative and encourages all staff to participate in the leadership and management of the college. The development of staff’s skills is a priority for the college and teams are encouraged to innovate and continuously improve Cardinal Newman’s curricular and pastoral offer to its students.

What our students say about Cardinal Newman College

· I chose Newman because it gave me the opportunity to be inventive and take part in the student council. My favourite thing about college is all of the people you meet (there are lots of smiling faces) and it is a great place to learn – I will definitely miss it when I am gone! Next year I hope to study Neuroscience in Manchester.

· Lauren O’Brien – Broughton

· Studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, German, General Studies, Critical Thinking

· I chose Newman because of its welcoming atmosphere and friendly people. I would definitely recommend Newman to school leavers, the quality of teaching is brilliant and there are loads of things to do, I am a member of the choir and

· I have taken part in lots of trips and visits. I hope to get into music production in the future.

· Jack Caldwell – All Hallows

· Studying A Levels in Music Technology, Maths, Physics, Business Studies

· Newman is a place that consistently strives to improve itself, its got modern facilities, brilliant study support and dedicated staff. Plus it’s the only college in the area that allows you can mix BTEC and A Level courses. I hope to go on to university and then qualify to be a PE teacher.

· Ashlyn Tarney – Christ the King

· Studying A Levels in English Language & Literature, BTEC Sport

· I liked Newman’s atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent facilities. I am now hoping to study Law and Criminology at university next year.

· Sajeda Alli – Penwortham Girls’

· Studying A Levels in German, Psychology, Law, Business Studies

· Newman gives you the freedom to express yourself, the teachers always support your dreams and you meet people with similar aspirations. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging, you feel like part of a family! After college I plan to take a gap year and then audition for a place at drama school.

· Tara McKenzie – St Bede’s, Lytham

· Studying A Levels in Drama & Theatre Studies, English Language, Digital Photography, Textiles

· Whilst at Newman, I have been on two German exchanges and a History trip to Russia. I chose to come here because of Newman’s fantastic reputation for Modern Foreign Languages and its great atmosphere. There’s a brilliant choice of social activities and academic groups to take part in. I know that if I ever have a problem, my teachers are always willing to help! I now hope to study Languages at Royal Holloway University and then become an Interpreter.

· Peter Holmes – Holy Cross

· Studying A Levels in French, German, Italian, Spanish, History

Newman’s Football Academy really impressed me along with the college’s reputation for academic excellence and sporting opportunities. Next year, I am going to Florida to complete a football scholarship!

· Luke Jenner – Archbishop Temple

· Studying A Levels in Sport, Psychology, Geography, Maths

· Newman is not just a college, it is a fantastic community. It doesn’t matter what music you like or how popular you were at school, everyone is equal! I would encourage anyone to study English Literature at college, the trip to Stratford to watch Shakespeare’s The Tempest was an amazing experience. After college, I am hoping to pursue a career in the Ministry of Defence.

· Alex Walsh – Holy Cross

· Studying A Levels in History, English Literature, Law, Dance