Caretaker

Tela; Bexwell; Remote; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Reduced gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Paid annual family day

Enhanced parental leave

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Downham Market Academy is seeking an experienced caretaker to maintain school premises and contents under the direction of the Head of School & Health & Safety Manager. You will help keep the site clean, safe and well‑maintained, and support lettings and events outside of normal hours.

The role covers security, heating/lighting management, contractor access, porterage, and general cleaning. A proactive, reliable team player is essential for this busy academy community.

Qualifications

• Experience in school premises maintenance or facilities support.
• Ability to operate alarms and respond to emergencies.
• Awareness of Health & Safety requirements and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Security of premises and contents; activation and deactivation of alarms; handle keyholder duties and emergencies outside hours.
• Maintain heating, lighting and related equipment; regulate systems as needed for occupied spaces.
• Provide access to authorised contractors while communicating hazards as required by policy.
• Undertake porterage and handyman tasks: moving goods, small repairs, fittings and equipment.
• Clean designated areas and ensure sanitary conditions; replenish supplies as needed.
• Assist with lettings after hours and at weekends; support school events on site.
• Support outside duties such as drainage clearance, weather-related clearance, and general tidying.

Job description

Contract

Permanent

Start Date

November, 2026

Apply By

November 2, 2026

Email

[e-mail]

Required:November 2026

We are seeking an experienced caretaker to ensure that the school premises and its contents are properly maintained and cared for as directed by the Head of School & Health & Safety Manager. In addition, the post-holder should help keep the school clean and tidy.

Key Responsibilities

• To be responsible for the security of the premises and its contents, including the operation of fire and burglar alarms and undertaking keyholder responsibilities, involving locking and unlocking entrances, checking and securing windows and internal doors, activating and switching off alarm systems, etc; to be available to answer emergencies outside regular working hours and support with the unlocking and locking up of the site for pre-planned lettings and evening events.
• To ensure that heating and lighting systems and other equipment are working properly, including such systems in accommodation used solely for Academy meals where there are common services; to regulate heating and ventilation as necessary.
• To allow access to authorised maintenance or building contractors and ensure that they are aware of any potential hazards connected with their presence on the premises, having regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• To be fully aware of and to comply with all departmental instructions and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to recognise the responsibilities required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• To undertake porterage and handyperson duties, including moving goods and furniture, minor repairs to property, fixtures, fittings and equipment.
• Incidental to the primary functions of the job, to clean designated areas and ensure that they are kept in a clean and hygienic condition; to be responsible for sanitary conditions and replenishing sanitary materials.
• To maintain and operate plant and equipment.
• To undertake general cleaning of store- and boiler-rooms, obtaining or storing equipment and materials for teaching and other staff.
• To take responsibility for the duties associated with a reasonable number of evening and weekend lettings by prior agreement.
• To undertake outside duties – for example, clearance of drains and gullies, general tidying, incineration of rubbish, snow clearance, etc.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties and activities that fall within the grade and role of the post as decided by the Headteacher or Office Manager and following discussion with the post-holder.

We are an ambitious school that has high aspirations and expectations for our students.We want to provide an education that is challenging yet accessible and relevant to the young people in our care.We want to inspire them to become life-long learners that empowers them to be valuable members of society.We offer all of our students many opportunities to enhance their learning through trips and visits that are both local and further afield.Our extensive extracurricular programme provides all students with opportunities to learn new skills and improve on existing ones outside of the normal classroom environment; make new friends and develop life skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.

Knowing each student and member of staff individually allows us to build positive, mutually respectful relationships that support learning and create a culture of academic aspiration where success is celebrated.Promoting inclusivity, equality and diversity is fundamental to our academic curriculum and personal development programme.We want our students and staff to feel valued, respected and safe and we place great emphasis on their personal development and welfare.

We are growing in popularity in the local community, and we are now the top choice school for children in our catchment.We are oversubscribed in some year groups and need for a larger staff team to support this expansion.

Downham Market Academy can offer you:

• An aspirational culture where students and staff are encouraged to maintain high standards and be at the forefront of education
• Students who are ambitious, polite and hard-working
• A supportive and collaborative staff body that works closely with colleagues in other schools within our Trust
• Excellent facilities and equipment where all staff have their own laptop; students have their own iPad to use in lessons and at home and where the school community makes excellent use of IT to communicate, collaborate and learn more effectively
• A commitment to providing extensive and tailored CPD that allows all our staff to flourish
• A wellbeing package including reduced gym membership rates, partnerships with local restaurants, cycle to work scheme and a comprehensive mental health service

What can ELA offer you?

ELA offer a sector leading staff benefits offer alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.

• ELA know that our strength is our people, so we prioritise staff wellbeing, retention and development. Over 95% of ELA staff say they’re proud to work in their school.
• ELA are firm believers in the power of recognising, celebrating, and rewarding talent: our track record in terms of retention, internal promotion opportunities and wider career development is excellent.
• ELA staff enjoy a sector leading staff benefits package alongside bespoke, high quality CPD programmes, cross-trust events, and exceptional opportunities for career development within our innovative family of schools.
• You can find out all about our Trust and staff offer here .

ELA staff benefits include:

• Reduced contact time to enable professional development;
• EAP with access to counselling & physiotherapy;
• Paid annual family day;
• Cycle to work schemes;
• Enhanced parental leave;
• Generous annual leave allowance for support staff;
• Discounted gym membership for all staff.

Our Trust is committed to equal opportunities, to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment and undergo the appropriate checks. All positions within the Trust are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references along with a Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable. You can view our safeguarding policy here .