Apprentice Property Maintenance Operative

Isle of Wight Council; Cowes, Shanklin, Ventnor; Remote; GBP 6,000 - 8,000; Full time

Job summary

Isle of Wight Council invites applications for an Apprentice Property Maintenance Operative. Based primarily at Lanesend Primary School, you will learn all aspects of school facilities and property maintenance while supporting a multi-site team across three sites.

You will receive on‑the‑job training, work towards a nationally recognised qualification through Isle of Wight College, and benefit from a supportive mentor and practical, hands-on experience in a busy educational environment.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths and English Grade 4 and above – desirable, but not essential.
• No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in.

Responsibilities

• Supporting with general site maintenance and repairs
• Assisting with health & safety checks and paperwork
• Grounds maintenance and keeping outdoor areas tidy
• Helping to set up rooms for events and activities
• Managing deliveries and supporting with stock checks
• Ensuring the school site is clean, safe, and secure

Skills

Full driving licence

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE Maths & English (desirable)

Job description

Apprentice Property Maintenance Operative

Contract type Fixed-term

Department Lanesend Primary School

Salary Apprentice Wage for the first 12-months. Then National Minimum/Living Wage – after the first year to the end of the course

Location Cowes, Shanklin & Ventnor, Isle of Wight

37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year - Monday to Friday.

November 2026 Start (ASAP. Subject to enhanced DBS clearance)

DCAT Isle of Wight Academies are seeking a practical, reliable, and keen apprentice to begin a career in school facilities and property maintenance.

We are looking for a motivated Apprentice Property Maintenance Operative to join our friendly team and help keep our schools a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for pupils, staff, and visitors.

Whilst predominantly based at Lanesend, applicants must have a full-driving license and be prepared to work across all three sites.

Lanesend - St.Blasius – St.Francis

Visits to our Academies are welcome

PLACE

• Lanesend Primary School, Cowes.
• Plus St. Blasius, Shanklin & St. Francis, Ventnor, when required.

HOURS

• Split Shifts to be discussed.
• Holiday entitlement.
• Isle of Wight College One day per week, during term time.

As an Apprentice Property Maintenance Operative, you will work alongside our multi-site Executive Site Manager to learn all aspects of school facilities management. This hands‑on role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical tasks, problem‑solving, and working as part of a team.

Your daily responsibilities may include:

• Supporting with general site maintenance and repairs
• Assisting with health & safety checks and paperwork
• Grounds maintenance and keeping outdoor areas tidy
• Helping to set up rooms for events and activities
• Managing deliveries and supporting with stock checks
• Ensuring the school site is clean, safe, and secure

Full training will be provided, and you will work towards a recognised qualification in Property Maintenance through the Isle of Wight College.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Eager to learn and develop new skills
• Practical, hardworking, and able to follow instructions
• Organised, reliable, and punctual
• Able to work well independently and as part of a team
• Positive, friendly, and takes pride in their work
• GCSE in Maths and English Grade 4 and above – desirable, but not essential.

No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in.

What We Offer

• A supportive team and experienced mentor
• On‑the‑job training
• A nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification

Closing Date : Monday 2 nd November 2026.

Safeguarding

This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.

The Trust will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self‑declaration form as part of the pre‑employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations.

If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted.

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust safeguarding and child protection policy, and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school/Trust. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children. For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. An online search will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity.

Additional Information

Work Permits: we may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post, but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency's Points-based Immigration System. Due to the restrictions, we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.

References: successful candidates will also be subject to two full references from previous employers (or equivalent if this is your first job).

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by the following;

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and we provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees.

The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community. In addition to this, we are also a Disability Confident Employer . Along with a number of other areas of commitments, this means that providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The management reporting line for this role is ultimately through the Isle of Wight Council Children’s Services directorate.

This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.