Design Technology / Art Technician

Bedford Free School is seeking a Design Technology / Art Technician to join our great DT and Art and Design team who are passionate about helping our students achieve extraordinary things. We are seeking a technician who is highly motivated, methodical and well organised in their approach and who will take the initiative to ensure the smooth running of the departments and the success of our pupils. Art and DT are very popular GCSE subjects taught by three excellent, experienced teachers currently and as a technician, your work would be vital in supporting the ongoing development of these subjects.

At BFS our values drive everything that we do and as a result our staff enjoy impeccable behaviour in lessons and hardworking, highly motivated pupils. BFS is a genuinely comprehensive school that provides a knowledge-based education for pupils of all backgrounds. We teach an unashamedly academic curriculum consisting of the best that has been thought.

We welcome applications from ambitious and inspirational colleagues who share our traditional approach and values of Integrity, Ambition and Excellence.

Key Duties

• Preparing resources and materials for classes.
• Monitor the condition and supply of all equipment and services within the department.
• Work with the Head of Department and Teacher of Art and Design Technology to ensure that the department’s inventory of resources and equipment is kept up to date.
• To provide technical support to teaching staff and pupils in the Art department.
• To keep up to date with health and safety regulations and assist with maintaining health and safety compliance within the department.
• To assist and support pupils in their learning.

The successful candidate will have

• GCSEs at grades A*-C/9-4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Minimum level 2 or equivalent relevant vocational qualification.
• Experience of working in an Art & design background.
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification including core Technology machinery, or willingness to work towards
• Experience of handling art materials and competence in checking and testing of equipment for safe use.
• Ability to demonstrate effective IT skills, including CAD/CAM, or a willingness to learn
• Excellent communication skills with a positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team and on their own
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to show initiative and to prioritise one’s own work in a fast-paced environment
• An understanding of health and safety and the risk assessment process
• Experience of working with children of relevant age and students with additional needs (desirable)
• Willingness to continuously update skills and knowledge.

JOB SPECIFICS

Start date: asap

Salary: AS 5-7 FTE £25,893-£26,712 actual pro rata salary £22,470-£23,180

Contract: Fixed Term until August 2026, Full time, 37 hours per week

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date

Safeguarding

We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as:

“Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.