Caretaker

The East Manchester Academy; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle2work scheme

Gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Cash Plan

CPD programme

Wellbeing and workload management

Job summary

The East Manchester Academy is seeking a reliable Caretaker to uphold a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors in Beswick. Working with the Facilities Manager, you will manage day-to-day maintenance, security and grounds upkeep to ensure the site is fit for purpose.

In this hands-on role, you will undertake repairs, support health and safety compliance, and liaise with contractors. You should be organised, proactive and committed to safeguarding and continuous

Qualifications

• You will have experience in caretaking, facilities management or a similar environment, with a practical understanding of building maintenance and health and safety requirements.
• Organised and self-motivated with ability to prioritise tasks and carry out repairs efficiently.
• Knowledge of maintenance trades such as joinery, carpentry, plumbing or general repairs would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.
• Carry out day-to-day repairs and planned maintenance; support health and safety compliance.
• Support site security, grounds maintenance and liaise with contractors; monitor equipment and stock levels.
• As a key holder, respond promptly to maintenance issues and help ensure a positive learning environment.

Skills

Caretaking experience

Facilities management

Job description

About Us

The East Manchester Academy is a vibrant and innovative educational community in the heart of Beswick. We are a part of the Greater Manchester Education Trust. Together, we create lives of opportunity.

‘The East Manchester Academy is a beacon of hope and aspiration for pupils’ (Ofsted 2023)

‘The sense of community is tangible in this inclusive school.’ (Ofsted 2025)

This is an exciting opportunity to join The East Manchester Academy, a vibrant and ambitious school at the heart of a diverse community. Following our positive Ofsted inspection in March 2025—where we achieved ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for Personal Development and Leadership and Management—we are continuing to build on our rapid improvement journey.

We are a growing academy and we are now looking to add further capacity to our team as we enter the next stage of our development; to become an exceptional school that ensures the children of East Manchester flourish both academically and socially. We are a forward thinking and happy school, we embrace research and work collaboratively with colleagues within and beyond our trust to drive standards.

Please visit our website to learn more about us and contact: [e-mail] if you would like to arrange a visit to the academy prior to application.

About the Role

We are seeking a reliable and proactive Caretaker to help maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our students, staff and visitors. Working under the guidance of the Facilities Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, security and upkeep of the school site, ensuring that buildings and grounds are well maintained and fit for purpose. From carrying out repairs and planned maintenance to supporting health and safety compliance, site security and grounds maintenance, you will play a vital role in the smooth operation of the school.

This is a varied and hands‑on role that requires initiative and flexibility. You will undertake portering duties, assist with site projects, liaise with contractors, monitor maintenance equipment and stock levels, and contribute to the wider life of the school. As a key holder, you will help ensure the security of the premises and respond promptly to maintenance issues, supporting a positive learning environment where students and staff can thrive.

About You

You will have experience in caretaking, facilities management or a similar environment, with a practical understanding of building maintenance and health and safety requirements. Organised and self‑motivated, you will be capable of identifying issues, prioritising tasks and carrying out repairs efficiently. Knowledge of maintenance trades such as joinery, carpentry, plumbing or general repairs would be advantageous, alongside the ability to keep accurate records and use equipment safely.

We are looking for a dependable team player with excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to providing a high‑quality service. You will be adaptable, professional and willing to take ownership of your responsibilities, while demonstrating a strong commitment to safeguarding, continuous improvement and personal development. Above all, you will take pride in creating and maintaining an environment where the whole school community can feel safe, supported and valued.

Full details about the role and the qualifications, experience, and attributes required can be found in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Why Join Us?

The successful candidate will join an academy that is relentless in its drive to ensure our students and staff alike achieve their very best and our proud of themselves. We are proud to serve our diverse and inclusive community and wish to appoint a practitioner who shares our commitment to young people in challenging circumstances who believes that excellent leadership can leverage high levels of performance and remains optimistic in the face of adversity.

We value our colleagues and also offer the following:

• A minimum 20% PPA allowance for all staff

• Joint PPA time for departments to plan collaboratively

• Cycle2work scheme

• Gym membership

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Health Cash Plan

• A comprehensive CPD programme to support pedagogical and leadership development

• A low stakes approach to QA to ensure teachers keep getting better

• Strategic partnerships with external organisations to support staff development

• A genuine commitment to wellbeing and effective workload management

A Trust for Every Child and Every Colleague

We believe that great futures are built by great people. Colleagues who work in our schools will experience the same focus on care and guidance, opportunity and challenge, so that they can deliver an exceptional education to our young people. They will become the very best practitioners through bespoke support and opportunities to learn professionally, to collaborate, to lead innovation and to advance their career with us.

We strive for excellence in everything we do. At GMET, every role, from teaching to support, is valued. You’ll be supported and empowered to grow within a trust where our core values guide our work with learners, colleagues, families, and the wider community.

We invest in our people. As part of GMET, you’ll benefit from a wide range of employee benefits designed to support your health and wellbeing, help you save money, and make your salary go further including:

• A warm, inclusive, and supportive school culture
• High expectations for all learners and staff
• A strong focus on wellbeing and professional development
• Opportunities to innovate and collaborate across the trust
• A commitment to equity, diversity and accessibility
• Tailored CPD and coaching
• Trust-wide networks and learning communities
• Leadership development pathways
• Access to wellbeing resources and flexible working options

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.