Science Technician

Full Job Description

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Job Title: Science Technician
Location: Oak Tree School, Truro, TR4 9NH
Salary: £26,430.85 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 42.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8am - 4.30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: October 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As a Science Technician based in Truro, you’ll support science teaching and learning by preparing, maintaining and organising practical resources and equipment. You’ll work closely with teaching and support colleagues to ensure lessons are ready to deliver, activities run safely, and resources are stored and maintained to the required standards.

This is a hands-on, practical position for someone who takes pride in their standards, enjoys problem-solving, and is comfortable working with an education team to keep everything in place, from day-to-day preparations to helping maintain a well-ordered laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing practical lessons by setting up equipment, preparing materials, and ensuring resources are ready and appropriate for the learning activity.
• Maintaining laboratory stock, including ordering, recording, checking, and replenishing equipment and consumables.
• Ensuring safe working practices in line with current guidance and school procedures, including the safe storage and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials.
• Carrying out maintenance and basic repairs to keep equipment functioning correctly, escalating issues as required.
• Supporting teachers during lessons by assisting with setup, demonstrating where needed, and supporting the smooth running of practical activities.
• Managing risk effectively, helping to ensure practical activities are safe, supervised appropriately, and documented according to policies.
• Keeping records up to date for equipment checks, stock usage, and laboratory documentation.
• Contributing to a positive, caring learning environment where learners feel supported and motivated to engage with science.

About You

• A strong interest in practical science and how equipment and materials are used in learning
• Knowledge of safe working practices in a laboratory or workshop setting (including the safe handling and storage of materials)
• The ability to organise your work, prioritise tasks, and meet lesson deadlines
• Confidence in working with equipment and basic maintenance, with a “fix it properly” attitude
• Good communication skills and a collaborative approach with teachers and colleagues
• Respect for safeguarding and professional boundaries

About Us

Oak Tree School in Truro has recently expanded and developed two new buildings and undergone a successful inspection from Ofsted allowing us to offer a wider age range of students from 5 – 18 years the opportunity to have the best education possible. Oak Tree School is a specialist SEMH provision positioned near the city of Truro in Cornwall. The school provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 135 students and young people aged 5 to 18 who experience social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours. These students and young people often cannot cope, function or achieve within a mainstream environment. The aim is to provide a structured, nurturing approach, with students accessing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum to meet their significant needs.

This opportunity is in Truro which is within commutable distance of Redruth, St Austell and surrounding areas.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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