Vocational Studies Technician

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

Become a Vocational Studies Technician at our brand-new school Red Kite School part of Acorn Education and start working towards yours. Red Kite School, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0JW. £24,500 per annum. This salary is NOT subject to pro-rata and is the full amount before tax.

40 Hours per Week; Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm. Permanent, Term Time Only. Red Kite is a brand-new independent special educational needs school which will cater for up to 60 pupils with social and emotional health needs. The school is based in the beautiful market town Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. This is an exciting opportunity for anybody who wants to be a part of the successful development of a brand new setting and make a difference to education of our pupils.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

The opportunity

Under the direction/instruction of Secondary/ Vocational Leader:

• Provide general support to staff and students, to ensure the smooth operation of the faculty area, including the organising, preparation, cleaning and maintenance of materials and resources for the department and giving practical support in the classroom to teachers.
• Contribute to the smooth running of practical activities in vocational subjects and health and safety in those areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting with the display of pupils work.
• Organisation and preparation of classroom and ICT resources in accordance with lesson plans and assist pupils in their use.
• Ensure the maintenance, statutory checks, safety checks, cleaning and repair of workshop equipment, tools, including ICT.
• Maintain risk assessments, Maintain COSHH regulations.
• Retrieve, clear and clean materials and equipment used by teaching staff and pupils from work areas including in the Kitchen and Workshop and Science areas.
• Ensure that workshops and other classrooms are maintained in a well organised, clean and tidy condition, ensuring the safe storage and accessibility of equipment, tools and materials.
• Ensure safe storage and / or disposal of equipment, materials and liquids, inflammables and waste materials in accordance with school procedures and legal requirements / regulations.
• Assist with the preparation of materials and equipment for lessons including DT, Construction, Art and Catering.
• Assist with the ordering, checking and recording of stock.
• Keep a service record of all working machines.
• Assist the teaching staff and assembling teaching materials.
• Undertake statutory training in the safe use of heavy woodwork machinery.
• Use heavy woodworking machinery to accurately prepare materials.
• Under the guidance of the teacher, support individual or groups of pupils during practical aspects of the curriculum.
• Set up machinery and specialised equipment.
• Provide clerical / administrative support.
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Contribute to the overall ethos / work / aims of the School.
• Attend relevant meetings as required and participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Accompany teaching staff and pupils on trips and visits and out of school activities as required.

We would love to hear from candidates who have their GCSE C or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths and who have some experience with SEN and working within a School. Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Why join Acorn Education?

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance.
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions.
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks.
• A market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including a wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits.
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad.
• Cycle to Work Schemes.
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme.
• Critical illness cover.
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.