TECHOGNITION 2025: Celebrating our Incredible Technicians

Today marks TECHOGNITION; a national celebration of technical support staff, recognising the importance of their essential roles in school and college education. 

At King’s, our technicians work tirelessly to support our pupils and teaching staff, often becoming a friendly, welcoming face in their department as well as providing invaluable practical support. We appreciate each one of them for all they do. 

We’ve spoken to some of our technicians to find out more about their roles at King’s. 

Dr Watkinson – Biology Technician 

With a strong foundation in Chemistry and Physics, Dr Watkinson holds a PhD in High Energy Astrophysics – which even once took her to the South Pole!  

Dr Watkinson explains: “Following my doctoral studies, I worked as a research scientist at QinetiQ in Malvern, working on Liquid Crystals and OLEDs.” 

“After taking a career break to focus on my family, I joined King’s as a Biology Technician six years ago. While Biology wasn’t my original field of expertise, six years of hands-on experience have given me a wonderful understanding of science, and I’m always learning something new.” 

What is a typical day in your job? 

“My role revolves around ensuring the smooth running of practical lessons. I prepare and set up equipment, transport it to classrooms, and collect and clean the materials afterwards.” 

“Beyond lesson preparation, I manage stock levels, order equipment and chemicals, and even shop for consumables – whether it’s onions for experiments or locusts!”  

“When there is time between these jobs, I review health and safety updates, undertake stocktakes, and review and design practical activities to enhance our pupils’ learning.” 

What is it like working in the Biology Department? 

Dr Watkinson said: “King’s offers a welcoming and supportive environment, where I enjoy the perfect balance of independence as well as working closely with the teachers.”  

“I have the flexibility to manage my time effectively around lessons, and I enjoy getting to know my colleagues and pupils in biology.”  

“The department is always open to new ideas or techniques, encouraging me to explore new gadgets and methods to improve the practical lessons – something I really enjoy and appreciate.” 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“Like most scientists, I enjoy trying to solve problems and making things work! Whether it’s improving an experiment or fixing any problems with the equipment, I enjoy the challenge and learning new things.”  

“I also take great satisfaction in organisation, and there’s something immensely rewarding about seeing a set of neatly prepared practical trays, ready for pupils to use in their hands-on learning.”  

“King’s provides an environment where I can continuously learn, innovate and contribute to each pupil’s educational experience.” 

Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell – Art Technicians 

Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell have both have worked at King’s since 2010, and have become the art department’s ‘dream team’! 

Mrs Harrell started working here as a lunch time supervisor, as well as helping in various other departments of the school, before becoming a technician in the art department in 2017. She had previously worked as a Teaching Assistant.  

Mrs Timlin, who has worked in the art department for 15 years, has an art background, having completed a textiles degree and worked as a designer.  

Art pupils appreciate Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell’s hard work, with recent comments from Lower Sixth students including: “they are always happy and smiley,” and “they are really kind and helpful, and nothing is ever too much.” 

What is a typical day for an art technician? 

Mrs Harrel said: “This role is incredibly varied, and there is no typical day! It’s really important to be flexible and to deal with the unexpected. We help out where we are needed, supporting the pupils and teachers in a huge variety of areas.” 

She added: “It helps to be physically fit, as we often find ourselves up ladders to put up work, or carrying large items around the whole school.” 

Mrs Harrell specialises more in Sixth Form work, whereas Mrs Timlin tends to focus on GCSE pupils. However they work very closely together and always know what the other is doing, so they are able to easily step in and help each other out when they need to.

Day to day work can include mounting and exhibiting pupils’ work, ordering materials, and working one to one with Sixth Form students – and much more!

At the end of the academic year, Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell take down the A level exhibition that they have spent many hours putting up and make sure the work is stored safely. They coordinate the letters sent to families to pick up work, and organise all of the work that is to be handed back to GCSE and A level students, often staying late in the evenings to make this happen.  

What is it like working in Kings’ Art Department? 

Mrs Timlin said: “The art department is a very friendly space, and all pupils are very welcome to use the facilities. Some pupils enjoy quiet time in the department, and although we’re always busy, it’s also a nice relaxing place. We can always find a space for to pupils to work in.” 

Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell are a friendly and welcoming face for the pupils, and pride themselves on building great relationships with them. Mrs Harrell said: “It is wonderful to get to know all the pupils and see them grow in confidence. The relationships we build with the pupils make our job really enjoyable.” 

Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell are always building their own skills, so they can support what the pupils are doing. Ceramics is a relatively new activity in the department, and both Mrs Timlin and Mrs Harrell have spent time learning how to set up the equipment and glazes, wrapping the work so it doesn’t dry out, and cutting the clay. 

What do you like most about your job as an art technician? 

Mrs Timlin said: “It’s hard to pick just one thing that I love! I enjoy the diverse amount of work we do and the variety of the job. It is fantastic working in such a lovely space where pupils can feel at home.”  

“Because of my background, watching the pupils work on textiles is still the area that I enjoy the most in the department.” 

Mrs Harrell said that she particularly loved working with ceramics, and added: “I love the challenge that each day brings. It is wonderful working in a department that is so happy and supportive. We are art technicians, but we are a family in the art department and feel fortunate work with great colleagues.” 

Mrs Palmer – DT Technician 

Mrs Palmer has worked at King’s for 25 years (with a short three-year break during this time). 

Mrs Palmer has a technical background, having completed an apprenticeship in engineering in Worcester, before going on to work in electrical and electronic engineering as an Electrical Control Engineer. This involved designing electrical control panels and writing coding for a number of large companies, including Coca Cola and Heinz. 

Mr Wilson, Head of DT, said: “Julie has always been an incredible Technician. We are very lucky to have such a highly qualified, forward thinking and dependable colleague. Julie is a highly valued member of the team.”

What is a typical day in your job? 

Mrs Palmer said: “No two days are the same, which is why I love it!” 

“The period between October to February is always the department’s busiest period, when GCSE and A Level pupils are completing their coursework.” 

During this period, Mrs Palmer will support pupils with laser cutting requests, preparation of materials on the circular saw, as well as preparing other materials and components. She will also supervise them on machines and ensures everyone is using the correct safety equipment. 

Mrs Palmer takes responsibility for ordering all the materials in the department, including and specialist parts or components that are required for projects. She also ensures all the machinery is regularly serviced and maintained. 

She also produces resources for the department, to help pupils understand the different materials they can use in projects; for example, she recently created samples of what can be laser cut. 

Have you seen many changes since you started work as a DT Technician? 

Mrs Palmer said: “When I first started at King’s, the building was shared between DT and art. When the building was refurbished in 2008, DT was able to expand to both floors, allowing extra space for workshops and larger pieces of equipment.” 

“The technology in DT has also progressed, I spend much of my time staying up to date with new techniques. In 2014, the school bought its first 3D printer and we’re now very fortunate to have eight, which has required me to learn new skills that I can pass on to pupils.” 

“The department has also recently acquired a CNC milling machine, which has changed how components can be made and has expanded the scope of the projects pupils can work on.” 

What are the best things about being a DT Technician? 

Mrs Palmer said: “I love the regular contact with pupils, and being able to get to know them and help them with their projects. I am also very fortunate to work alongside a fantastic, supportive team in the DT department.” 

“I would definitely recommend this job, and working at King’s, which really does feel like a wonderful family.”