Permanent, Full-Time, Term-Time Only
We are seeking to appoint a Laboratory General Assistant for the Chemistry and Biology Preparation rooms to undertake general duties to assist in the smooth running of resourcing and preparation for lessons for the Science Department.
The Laboratory General Assistant will have responsibility for the cleaning of glassware and equipment that has been used for practical lessons. Basic stock maintenance of the Chemistry / Biology Preparation Rooms and labs. We would aim to develop greater responsibility in preparing stock solutions of chemicals for Chemistry and Biology use. Working collaboratively with the rest of the technical team and form an integral part of the of the Whitgift Science Department.
The Laboratory General Assistant is line managed by the Team Lead Technician.
The salary range for this post will be Point 18-20 on the Whitgift Foundation Support Staff Salary Scale. The full-time salary will be between £31,872 gross pay per annum (Point 18) to £33,561 gross pay per annum (Point 20) dependent on qualifications and relevant experience. The Pro-rata salary range for this post will be £25,497 gross pay per annum to £26,848 gross pay per annum to reflect Term Time only.
In return we offer a generous salary and benefits package including a money purchase pension scheme (plus Life Assurance Cover), Employee Discount Club, discounted school fees for the Foundation Schools (permanent posts only and upon successful completion of the probationary period).
We welcome applications from all parts of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake.
We invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a daily basis and interviews may take place at any time. This vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline if sufficient applications are received, so early submission is encouraged.
For any queries, please telephone Human Resources on 020 8688 9222 or e-mail .
Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers, the Disclosure & Barring Service and online media checks (including personal, professional and other online activities).
All roles within the school involve contact with children and are therefore classed as regulated activity. Child protection and safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers in our school. All staff must be committed to providing a safe environment for children and supporting the school’s safeguarding ethos.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to interview.
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
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How to prepare for a job interview at John Whitgift Foundation
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
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Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
