Role
Contract
Start Date
Salary

Job Description & Person Specification

Design & Technology Technician
Permanent, term-time only, 4 days (30 hours) per week
January 2026 (or earlier, if available)
Based on 30 hours per week, term-time only: £17,862
(Grade 4, Grade point 16)

Introduction from the Head:

Our wonderful Senior School and Sixth Form are
enviably located in the historic Saighton Grange
buildings,  with  stunning  views  across  beautiful
countryside  towards  the  Welsh  mountains  and
the Cheshire sandstone ridge; and our dedicated
Infant and Junior School is just down the road in
the charming and picturesque village of Aldford.

Our College is a unique, inspiring, and memorable
place  to  learn  and  grow,  where  our  caring  and
committed teaching and support staff will do all
that they can to help our pupils to be the best that
they can be.

We are a safe and friendly school community, where we look out for each other and where
we  work  with  each  child’s  individual  interests,  passions,  and  strengths;  while  also
encouraging them to try new things, take risks, and be creative.

Our Mission:

We are committed, within our safe and caring community, that each one of our pupils will
become  the  best  that  they  can  be  and  have  the  self-belief  to  go  forward  into  this
changeable world with courage and with compassion.

Our Aims:
We pursue our whole College mission, guided by three defining and aspirational aims:

Thank you for taking the time find out more about us. If you feel that you could bring the
right  balance  of  care,  commitment,  expertise,  and  enthusiasm  to  this  role,  we  would
welcome your application.

Craig Jenkinson, MA (Oxon), PGCE, MInstLM, MCCT

The Post:
Abbey  Gate  College  is  looking  to  appoint  a  suitably  experienced  and  skilled  Design  &
Technology Technician to join our dedicated support staff team.

Please  be  aware  that  Abbey  Gate  College  is  approximately  10  minutes’  drive  from
Chester’s city centre, in a more rural location. Therefore, own transport is required.

Job Description:
Line managed by our Head of Design & Technology, our Design & Technology Technician
provides support for the department and students alike, working across all areas of the
curriculum in Key Stage 3, 4 and Sixth Form.

Key Duties Include:

•  Supporting teaching and learning in Design & Technology.
•  Maintaining a safe and organised workshop, ensuring all machinery and

equipment is safe and maintained in line with Health & Safety regulations, thus
ensuring student safety at all times.

•  Providing students with access to suitable resources, tools and machinery to

support their progress and achievement.

•  Preparing, setting up and maintaining tools, materials and equipment for all

Design & Technology lessons.

•  Supporting teaching staff and students during practical lessons by demonstrating
safe and correct usage of workshop equipment and supervising student use of
said equipment.

•  Preparing, setting up, and checking equipment for technology lessons.
•  Clearing away equipment and maintaining a safe, organised environment.
•  Ordering and maintaining an appropriate stock of materials and keeping accurate

records of this.

•  Supporting the Head of Department and Health & Safety Assistant with COSHH

and risk assessments for the department.

•  Maintaining and carrying out minor repairs on equipment, where appropriate.
•  Overseeing any necessary administrative tasks.
•  Organising and storing students' work, as applicable.
•  Liaising and working with external agencies, as and when required.

Support for the College:
In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of the role, you will also be expected to:

•  Support  the  College’s  commitment  to  safeguarding  children  and  promoting  their

welfare in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures.

•  Be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to health and safety,
security,  confidentiality,  and  data  protection,  reporting  all  concerns  to  the
appropriate person.

•  Contribute to the overall work and ethos of the D&T department, as required.
•  Contribute to the overall vision, mission, and aims of Abbey Gate College.

•  Participate  in  training,  meetings,  and  performance  development  activities  as

required.

•  Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.

Person Specification:
The successful candidate will possess the following:

•  Previous experience as a D&T Technician; or in a similar technical / engineering

role; is essential.

•  Previous experience of working in an educational establishment and with school-

age children is preferred.

•  Strong practical skills and experience of working with workshop tools and

machinery.

•  Good working knowledge of Design & Technology techniques and theory.
•  Detailed knowledge of, and a commitment to, Health and Safety procedures

within a workshop setting.

•  An understanding of COSHH regulations is desirable.
•  Relevant qualifications or experience in design or technology-related activities.
•  A genuine passion for Design & Technology and for supporting students' learning

and development.

•  Strong time management / organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and

meet deadlines whilst working under pressure.

•  Attention to detail, accurate and methodical.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to deal with sensitive information with the utmost discretion and to

maintain confidentiality at all times.

•  A team player, willing and able to work as part of a team, as well as working

using their own initiative.

•  Ability and willingness to adapt to and embrace change.
•  Willingness to learn new skills and promote new initiatives.
•  Willingness to be flexible regarding the variety of tasks arising within the College

environment, and to be flexible regarding working hours, within reason, in
response to the needs of the College.

•  Willingness to attend evening meetings and events as required (not a frequent

requirement).

•  Commitment to CPD and training opportunities.

Salary:
The salary for this role, based on 30 hours per week over four days per week, term-time
only is £17,862, which is Grade 4, point 16, on the College’s pay scale for support staff.

Workwear, equipment and personal protective equipment will be provided, and the post-
holder is responsible for the maintenance and safety of these items.

Safeguarding & Child Protection:
Abbey Gate College is committed, as a priority, to safeguarding and promoting the welfare
of children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will, therefore, be subject to stringent vetting and induction processes, including
an  enhanced  DBS  disclosure.  References  for  shortlisted  candidates  will  be  requested
prior to interview; please inform your referees.

Whilst criminal convictions are not necessarily a bar to appointment, this safety
consideration will be central to all decisions regarding the employment of staff, approval
of volunteers, and standards of external contractors.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-declaration form
prior to interview.

A social media search will be completed for all shortlisted candidates.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We  are  committed  to  equality  of  opportunity  for  all  staff  and  to  treating  all  staff  with
dignity and respect. Therefore, applications from individuals are encouraged, regardless of
age,  disability,  sex,  gender  reassignment,  sexual  orientation,  pregnancy  and  maternity,
race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

Process for Applications:

•  Closing date for applications: Tuesday 25th November 2025 at 12 noon
•

Interviews to take place: Friday 28th November 2025

In order to apply for our Design & Technology vacancy, please complete our Abbey Gate
College  application
(available  at  https://www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk/about-
us/vacancies/).

form

Please  also  include  a  covering  letter,  which should  be  addressed  to  our  Head,  Mr Craig
Jenkinson, outlining your interest in, and suitability for, the role and the College.

Your completed application form and covering letter should be returned to Mrs Sue Moran,
HR  and  Staff  Wellbeing  Manager,  at:  sue.moran@abbeygatecollege.co.uk  by  the  above
closing date.

Should  you  require  any  additional  information  or  have  any  difficulties  in  completing  /
submitting your application, please also contact Sue Moran.

Please visit our website at www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk for more information about the
College.