Caretaker (part-time)

School Improvement Liverpool Ltd; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

St Hilda’s CE High School in Liverpool is seeking a part-time Caretaker to join a dedicated team. The post holder will maintain safety, cleanliness and security of the premises and grounds, and support events and routine maintenance.

The role requires reliability, basic DIY skills, and a good level of literacy and numeracy. Training and overtime to cover evenings or weekends may be required to meet school needs.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent; literacy and numeracy at required level.
• Experience in caretaking or premises management preferred.
• Able to carry out general repairs and DIY tasks.
• Good health and safety awareness.
• Willing to work outside normal hours; overtime payable.

Responsibilities

• Open/close gates and buildings.
• Respond to alarms; liaise with police.
• Weekly checks: fire alarm, defibrillator, sprinkler system.
• Grounds maintenance and litter picking.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of premises and respond to emergencies.
• Assist with setup for events and deliveries.

Skills

Literacy & numeracy

Caretaking experience

Premises management

DIY repairs

Health & safety knowledge

Ability to lift items

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Job description

Caretaker (part-time) (St Hildas C of E High School)

The Governors of St Hilda’s wish to appoint a Caretaker. The successful candidates would become part of an enthusiastic and hard-working team.

St Hilda’s, which is situated on the edge of Sefton Park in South Liverpool, is a welcoming and supportive community.

We have high expectations of behaviour and there are excellent relationships between staff and students, based on mutual respect.

St Hilda’s is a high-performing, over-subscribed comprehensive school with a Sixth Form.

In 2021, Ofsted judged the school to be Good and in 2017 SIAMS (church schools’ inspection) rated the school Outstanding. In 2023 SIAMS Keeping on Track report highlighted 'The empowering and reflective Christian leadership of the Headteacher inspires and drives improvement and ensures that the school’s Christian distinctiveness and purpose are of the highest priority. She is strongly supported by the leaders of the Cornerstone Curriculum, the heart of the community’s Christian ethos and purpose. The Staff’s commitment to the shared vision and virtues ensures that they are effective role models and are helping to provide an environment in which all have the opportunity to flourish.'

We are unashamedly a Christian school.

As the successful candidate, you would be joining a very close-knit, highly supportive family. We have made some significant changes; becoming co-educational, changing our vision and values, but we know that we can improve further with the right people.

Role Information

Job Title Caretaker (part-time) Job Type Facilities Job Phase Secondary Location Liverpool

Grade scale 4 SCP 7-11 Actual Salary Information N/A Actual Salary Range FTE £27,274 - £29,071 Contract Type Permanent Contract Term Part time Start Date Monday, November 23rd, 2026 Closing Date Wednesday, November 4th, 2026

About the Role

PURPOSE OF POST

• To be responsible for the safety, security and cleanliness of school premises, checking cleanliness and tidiness, looking for damage and items needing repair. Ensuring the site and grounds are safe for students, visitors and staff.

This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the Headteacher and member of staff, and will be reviewed annually as part of the Performance Appraisal Review.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

• Opening and closing, unlocking and locking of school gates and buildings.
• Opening and closing the school for evening use at times arranged by the Headteacher for School use.
• Responding to, and resetting of, the school alarm, liaising with police and Alarm Company.
• Checking and securing the school premises subsequent to out of hour’s intruder alarm activation.
• Register as Keyholder and be a point of contact in an emergency call-out situation.
• Overall security of the school premises including the locking of all windows in school and doors and the drawing of blinds at ground floor level.
• You may be called out at unsociable hours or at weekends to deal with security problems, make emergency repairs or allow access to any contractor who may be working on the site, in school holidays or at weekends.
• Weekly, Fire Alarm testing, defibrillator testing, sprinkler system testing.
• Mini bus inspection, weekly.
• Grounds Maintenance including, grass cutting, tree and hedge cutting, weed pulling, maintenance of all areas.
• Ensure that all assigned requests on the helpdesk are completed and up to date, keeping the Facilities Manager up to date.
• To be the first point of contact for requests for last minute furniture moves, setting up events as required and sometimes at short notice.
• To be the first point of contact for cleaning spillages and other emergencies throughout the school day. Working closely alongside the Cleaning Supervisor to ensure the school is maintained to the highest standard.
• Upkeep and general repair and safety of the school grounds, internal and external.
• To be responsible for preparing bins in readiness for pickup and liaising with the waste collection company to ensure collections take place as required. Ensure that external rubbish is stored appropriately.
• Removal of all debris from paths, play areas, grassed areas, flowerbeds and all entrances.
• General maintenance and repair work including doors, windows, toilet seats and flushes, furniture, tap washers, minor leaks etc.
• Daily litter picking and rubbish collection from grounds and around school.
• Painting of doors and walls, as necessary, in accordance with the Facilities Manager’s requests.
• General porterage duties, to include lifting heavy items such as deliveries and furniture, using lifting equipment provided.
• Simple carpentry tasks e.g. putting up shelves.
• Ensuring all public areas are prepared in readiness for events and functions outside of the school day e.g. setting out chairs and tables.
• Preparing seating area for assemblies and clearing away areas to allow teaching, according to a published timetable.
• Daily checking for any damage on arrival at the premises.
• Lettings as required – opening, closing and general duties (this may involve extra payment as appropriate).
• Report any defects of building, furniture, fittings and equipment to the Facilities Manager.
• Periodic check of roofs, guttering etc. with the Facilities Manager for pooling, plant growth.
• Keep all hard surfaces free from moss and weeds.
• Disinfect drains and dustbins during school closures.
• Make safe any hazards and ensure that areas are cordoned off where necessary.
• Keep paths, entrances free of ice and snow to ensure the safety of students, staff and visitors.
• Switching off of all lights and appropriate electric sockets.
• Ensure that lights and heating is working effectively throughout the school day, especially in winter.
• Be aware of the location of all stopcocks, gas and electricity meters.
• Using appropriate equipment to replace and repair fluorescent tubes and lights.
• Be aware of Health & Safety and COSHH regulations.
• Be willing to undertake First Aid training.

GENERAL

• To support the Head Teacher in promoting the Christian ethos of the school.
• To act as an ambassador for the school liaising with external agencies and companies.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times in respect of school-related matters and to prevent disclosure of confidential and sensitive information.
• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required.
• Act as a positive role model to staff and students.
• To have personal responsibility for own continuing professional development.
• To promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.
• To recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the health and safety policy and any school-specific procedures / rules that apply to this role.
• St Hilda's CE High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
• Play a full part in the life of the school community, support the school’s priorities and ethos and encourage staff and students to follow this example.
• The post holder will be expected to ensure that output and quality of work is of a high standard and complies with current legislation / standards.
• Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities for the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified, especially in the context of a new and growing school which requires flexibility in all of its employees.
• The governing body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people and expects all staff to share that commitment. The post will be dependent on a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) record check and acceptable references.

WIDER RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the St Hilda’s family, you will be expected to:

support our 6 values of Wisdom, Hope, Community, Dignity, Equality and Diversity;

be sympathetic to the teachings of the Church of England;

operate at all times within the stated policies and practices of the school;

establish effective working relationships and set a good example through their presentation and personal and professional conduct;

participate professionally in the school’s performance management systems;

take responsibility for personal professional development;

take part in professional development activities and inset organised by the school;

co-operate with other staff to ensure a sharing and effective usage of resources to the benefit of the school, department and students;

contribute to the corporate life of the school through effective participation in meetings;

take part in marketing and liaison activities and other appropriate school events;

recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the school’s Health and Safety policy;

promote the welfare of children and to support the school in safeguarding children though relevant policies and procedures. Establish a purposeful and safe learning environment which complies with current legal requirements, national policies and guidance on the safeguarding and well-being of children and young people so that learners feel secure and sufficiently confident to make an active contribution to learning and to undertake any other duty as specified by STPCB not mentioned;

support the school’s Health, Safety and Welfare policy and be aware of the responsibility for personal Health, Safety and Welfare and that of others reporting any hazard.

Personal Qualities

Good level of Literacy and Numeracy- i.e. GCSE or equivalent standard

Experience of caretaking or premises management, building cleaning or building management

DIY skills and to be able to carry out general repairs without guidance

Ability to lift and carry items

Ability to follow and comply with instructions on equipment and/or materials usage

Ability to carry out health and safety checks and maintain relevant records

Willing to work outside of normal hours if required (overtime is payable)

Willing to undertake relevant training

Adaptable, Open and approachable

Ability to prioritise and management time effectively

Ability to challenge, support and motivate

Enthusiastic, positive and uses initiative to solve problems

Team player

Able to communicate effectively with young people and colleagues

Have a commitment to collaboration and co-operative working where appropriate

Commitment to the school Christian values and vision