Caretaker

Eastern Learning Alliance; Downham Market; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Downham Market Academy is seeking an experienced caretaker to help maintain the school premises and contents, support a safe and clean environment, and assist with site lettings and events.

You will ensure security, operate alarms, manage heating and lighting, undertake basic repairs, porterage, cleaning and outdoor duties as required, under the Headteacher and Health & Safety Manager.

Qualifications

• Experience in caretaking or facilities maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to follow health and safety guidelines and work under instruction.

Responsibilities

• Security of premises and contents, alarm operation, and keyholder duties, with on-call availability for emergencies.
• Regulate heating and lighting systems and other equipment as needed.
• Allow access to authorised contractors and highlight potential hazards to staff.
• Follow Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related procedures.
• Porterage and handyperson duties, including minor repairs and moving items.
• Clean designated areas and replenish sanitary materials to maintain hygiene.
• Maintain and operate plant and equipment; carry out store/boiler-room cleaning.
• Assist with evening/weekend lettings; undertake outside duties such as drainage and snow clearance.

Job description

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