Science Technician Apprentice - Suitable for School Leaver in Oxford

About You

You are starting your career and looking for a pathway where your passion for science can translate into real-world impact. You don’t need to be an expert yet, but you do need to be the kind of person who is naturally curious and meticulous. You are the student who enjoyed the lab, understood the importance of a well-prepared experiment, and now wants to help others have those same ‘lightbulb’ moments. You have strong Science A-levels (or predicted grades) and the organisational mindset to keep a busy department running smoothly. Above all, you are a team player who wants to contribute to a school culture built on ‘courage, compassion, and curiosity’.

The Role

We are seeking an aspiring Science Technician Apprentice to help ensure our laboratories are at the heart of our students' learning. You will work alongside our Senior Science Technician to ensure that every student who enters a lab is met with equipment that is ready, safe, and fit for purpose. You will learn to prepare materials for a vast range of experiments, from chemistry demonstrations to biology dissections, gaining hands‑on expertise in technical laboratory management. By taking ownership of these preparations, you directly enable our teachers to deliver the high‑quality, innovative lessons that define our curriculum. This is not just an administrative or support position; you are the architect of the practical learning experience.

The Apprenticeship

This role is designed as a structured development pathway, not just a job. You will be employed for 32.5 hours per week, term‑time plus 5 INSET days. As an apprentice, 20% of your paid working hours are ring‑fenced for your "off‑the‑job" training, which involves dedicated study and coursework to gain your qualification. You will be fully supported by our experienced science team in the lab and by an external Apprenticeship Tutor, ensuring you gain a recognised professional qualification while applying your skills in a real‑world, high‑impact school environment.

Why Join Us

This is an exciting time to join The Oxford Academy, where our values of ‘commitment to others, commitment to learning’ drive everything we do. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated professional who shares our deep belief that education has the power to transform lives, communities, and society for the better. You will be joining a team where staff are genuinely proud of the work they do, recognising how valuable a high‑quality education is for improving pupils' life chances, and remain very positive about working at the school (Ofsted 2026).

At our school, support is a true collective effort that is woven into our daily life. This is clearly demonstrated through our Sixth Formers tutoring younger pupils, as well as our student‑led assemblies on social responsibility. Furthermore, our celebrated Student Council actively influences local policy on transport and safety at Delegates' Assemblies, ensuring our students have a powerful voice in the wider area. We don’t just work within the community; we are an active part of it. From hosting our annual Community Iftar to partnering with the Oxford Hub Pre‑Loved School Uniform Shop, we ensure our families feel cared for and deeply included.

If you have high expectations of yourself and others, and want to be part of an embedded learning culture where strong, warm relationships are the absolute foundation of learning, we would love to welcome you to the team.

Our School

At The Oxford Academy, we offer pride, aspiration, and opportunity to every member of our community, with significantly improved learning outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that our students and staff are highly successful through sustainable, positive improvements in our school.

Do you want to work in a school that:

• Is friendly and community‑centred, where staff genuinely feel part of a team?
• Utilises a new teaching approach that has helped to dramatically improve both pupils’ behaviour and participation in lessons. As a result, lessons are undisturbed, and pupils enjoy their learning (Ofsted 2026).
• Places staff well‑being at the heart of everything we do.
• Employs a full‑time Instructional Coach who works with staff to develop practice through specific teaching goals that maximise student learning.
• Benefits from a culture where behaviour across the school is now very positive. Pupils are calm and respectful, with positive attitudes to learning (Ofsted 2026).
• Prioritises high‑quality bespoke CPLD and collaboration opportunities across a successful and highly respected multi‑academy trust.

Community and Connection

The Oxford Academy is an important part of our local community, and we actively encourage individuals from our area—including parents of our students and residents in our neighbourhood—to join our team. We believe that being part of a community goes far beyond our physical location; it is about fostering genuine connections, understanding, and mutual support. By investing in local talent, we ensure that our school's values align closely with the daily needs and aspirations of the families we serve.

At our school we want everyone to feel safe, valued, and respected—not just in theory, but in practice. We are fully committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they truly belong. Our community deeply embraces its unique character; as noted by inspectors, pupils are proud of the school’s very diverse character, and they appreciate the way they are taught about respect and positive behaviour (Ofsted 2026). This intentional focus ensures that pupils are happy in school. They feel known and liked by their teachers. This helps to build the school’s sense of cohesion and belonging (Ofsted 2026).

When you join us you are not just becoming part of our internal school family; you are joining an organization that actively cares for and remains a pillar of the local community. We would love to hear from applicants from all diverse backgrounds who share this profound commitment to inclusion.

Employee Benefits

• Health & Wellbeing
• Free annual flu vaccines
• Discounted gym memberships (onsite gym)
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• 24‑hour access to a free counselling helpline (including family and debt advice)
• Flexible working solutions
• Reduced teaching time
• Onsite nursery provision through Little Peeple Nursery

• Financial
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with employee contributions of 19.2%
• Eligible for a Blue Light Card – hundreds of offers/discounts on local and national stores
• Cycle to Work Scheme

The Oxford Academy sits outside the ring road and is less affected by the new Oxford Congestion Charge.

Career Progression

• Opportunities for CPLD and access to apprenticeships
• Developmental performance management conversations
• Apprenticeship opportunities for ‘on the job training’
• Investment in your career, internal and external talent solutions

The River Learning Trust

At RLT, we believe we achieve more together than alone. Our schools are united by shared principles, collaboration, and a belief in the power of education to change lives.

Our Vision: for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously, and sustainably — to be better faster together.

Our ‘Why’: children and young people only get one go at school – we aim to ensure it’s the best possible one.

Our ‘How’: through the highest support and challenge for each other, underpinned by shared principles. Employees benefit from extensive continuing professional learning, strong wellbeing and staff networks, and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS). For more information, see our “Working in RLT” guide.

Safeguarding and Recruitment

The River Learning Trust and The Oxford Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered.

Next Steps

We encourage interested candidates to visit the school before applying. To arrange a visit, please contact Reception: enquiries@theoxfordacademy.org. For more information about The Oxford Academy, please visit our website.

Final Note

At The Oxford Academy, we believe in ‘courage, compassion, and curiosity’. We have a strong track record of offering exceptional care to our families and students, providing a supportive environment where both staff and students are encouraged to make a difference beyond the classroom. Whether through our Amnesty International Club, debate championships, or various sports fixtures, this is a unique opportunity to join a team passionate about supporting our most vulnerable learners and building strong, lasting relationships with them.

The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates before the closing date and may make an early offer to an exceptional applicant.