HARRIS ACADEMY BECKENHAM: Food Technician

We are looking for a Food Technician to provide technical support for the teaching of Food Technology at Harris Academy Beckenham, enabling the smooth running of practical cookery classes and maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment.

About Us

Since opening in 2011, Harris Academy Beckenham has gone from strength to strength. We have been oversubscribed for the last three years, rapidly becoming the school of choice in the local area. Our GCSE and A Level results have improved each year, with our English and Maths combined score in 2016 reaching an outstanding 80% A*-C. Our ambition and aspiration will ensure that we continue to focus on the success of all of our students, irrespective of background. Since converting, results have dramatically improved and we secured a judgment of ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted in 2017.

Why work at Harris Academy Beckenham?

‘The school’s culture of aspiration and ambition is clearly demonstrated in classes. Teachers are aspirational for their pupils and set high expectations for them. Pupils respond positively. They are determined to do their best and are confident about meeting ambitious targets set by their teachers.’ (OFSTED 2017)

We invest in training and resources for our staff to help them make lessons fun, interesting and engaging. Class sizes are kept as small as possible and we place a firm emphasis on good behaviour so that students can learn in a calm and orderly environment.

It is our ethos of “Aspire, Discover, Achieve” that was recognised and praised in our recent inspection, and which contributed to Harris Academy Beckenham being judged as ‘outstanding’ in every category. In addition, the outstanding progress made by our students, placing us as the most successful school in Bromley (Progress 8 2016), vastly impressed the inspectors.

We have a harmonious community with excellent relationships between students and staff, and our students have a focused and mature attitude towards their academic studies.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting and advising teaching staff on the preparation and layout in teaching areas for practical exercises, running trials, demonstrations and helping students with learning activities
• Ensuring equipment and materials prepared for lessons are to the teacher’s specification, including shopping/ordering and preparing ingredients
• Advising students on the safe and proper use of equipment and on the correct and safe way to carry out learning activities
• Assisting in the safety, inspection, repair and general maintenance of all resources, equipment and tools
• Ensuring understanding of subject syllabus and schemes of work
• Assisting with stock keeping
• Undertaking safety checks and complying with the requirements of Health and Safety, and other relevant legislation and school documentation
• Assisting in ensuring that all equipment and materials are stored safely, securely and in good condition
• Undertaking basic maintenance and cleaning of equipment and to organise its construction, cleaning, servicing and repair
• Disposing of waste in a safely ensuring that hygiene and health and safety standards are maintained
• Keeping up to date with health and safety regulations and with developments in Food Technology, attending relevant courses and reading publications
• Keeping areas neat, clean, tidy and in a safe condition in readiness for lessons

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to A Level or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety regulations
• Experience working with a range of Food Technology equipment and resources
• Experience or solid understanding of working as a technician in a school or educational establishment, undertaking a range of practical tasks
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, including prioritising tasks
• Ability to think creatively to anticipate and solve problems
• Ability to encourage and inspire young people to achieve
• Ability to work as part of a team; working effectively with people across a wide range of levels and responsibilities.
• Computer literate – must have good ICT skills including a working knowledge of MS packages
• Ability to work using own initiative, exercising good judgement where unsupervised.
• Creative flair
• Flexibility of approach to work
• Ability to carry out routine maintenance of equipment

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.