Casual Lettings Assistant

River Academy; Reading; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme

Hybrid Working

ME Day

Job summary

River Academy in Reading is seeking a Casual Site Lettings Assistant to support the safe, secure and effective use of school premises during lettings, including evenings and weekends. You will open and close the school, assist lettings users and help maintain a safe, tidy environment for learning.

As a key holder and on-site point of contact, you will respond to health and safety matters, work with the site team, and support Maiden Erlegh Trust across different schools as required.

Qualifications

• Has communication and interpersonal skills suitable for working with lettings users, colleagues, students and parents.

Responsibilities

• Support the safe use of school premises during lettings periods by communicating health and safety policy and emergency procedures, dealing with health and safety matters as they arise, and acting as the person in charge in the event of an emergency.
• Maintain site security by acting as key holder, opening and closing the school before and after lettings, ensuring the school is secure and keeping classrooms locked when not in use.
• Ensure areas used for lettings are tidy, safe, secure and ready for normal school use, supporting school operations and learning without disruption.
• Prepare and restore lettings areas by assisting with equipment, tables and chairs, including during examination periods, and ensuring spaces are left ready for subsequent use.
• Monitor the condition of areas used for lettings by carrying out facility inspections, identifying site, safety or maintenance concerns, and taking appropriate action within the responsibilities of the role.
• Report defects, damage, site concerns and damage caused by lettings users to the Site Manager, School Business Manager or appropriate manager.
• Undertake practical site tasks, including minor maintenance, cleaning duties and manual site-related tasks, to help keep premises safe, suitable and inviting for lettings customers.
• Direct visitors and lettings users to the designated area of hire and provide a professional and helpful point of contact for users of the premises.
• Maintain effective professional relationships with lettings users, school colleagues, site colleagues and other stakeholders to support the safe and efficient use of school premises.
• Work with the site team and other colleagues, carry out duties in line with Maiden Erlegh Trust expectations, policies and procedures, and work across different sites across Maiden Erlegh Trust as required.
• Treat users of the premises professionally and with appropriate confidentiality.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as requested.

Job description

The Casual Site Lettings Assistant supports the safe, secure and effective use of school premises during extended hours, including evenings, weekends and school holidays. The role is accountable for helping ensure that areas used for lettings are safe, tidy, secure and ready for normal school use, so that school operations and learning can continue without disruption.

This is a practical, site-based role with responsibility for opening and closing premises, supporting lettings users, responding to health and safety matters, undertaking practical site tasks and helping maintain a safe and orderly environment during lettings periods. The postholder will act as key holder and as the person in charge in the event of an emergency during lettings periods.

The role requires effective relationships with lettings users, school colleagues, site colleagues and other Trust colleagues, and may involve working across different sites across Maiden Erlegh Trust as required.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 0118 929 6020.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the safe use of school premises during lettings periods by communicating health and safety policy and emergency procedures, dealing with health and safety matters as they arise, and acting as the person in charge in the event of an emergency.
• Maintain site security by acting as key holder, opening and closing the school before and after lettings, ensuring the school is secure and keeping classrooms locked when not in use.
• Ensure areas used for lettings are tidy, safe, secure and ready for normal school use, supporting school operations and learning without disruption.
• Prepare and restore lettings areas by assisting with equipment, tables and chairs, including during examination periods, and ensuring spaces are left ready for subsequent use.
• Monitor the condition of areas used for lettings by carrying out facility inspections, identifying site, safety or maintenance concerns, and taking appropriate action within the responsibilities of the role.
• Report defects, damage, site concerns and damage caused by lettings users to the Site Manager, School Business Manager or appropriate manager.
• Undertake practical site tasks, including minor maintenance, cleaning duties and manual site-related tasks, to help keep premises safe, suitable and inviting for lettings customers.
• Direct visitors and lettings users to the designated area of hire and provide a professional and helpful point of contact for users of the premises.
• Maintain effective professional relationships with lettings users, school colleagues, site colleagues and other stakeholders to support the safe and efficient use of school premises.
• Work effectively with the site team and other colleagues, carry out duties in line with Maiden Erlegh Trust expectations, policies and procedures, and work across different sites across Maiden Erlegh Trust as required.
• Treat users of the premises professionally and with appropriate confidentiality.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as requested.

Further details of responsibilities and requirements can be found in the Job Description and Person Specification.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has communication and interpersonal skills suitable for working with lettings users, colleagues, students, parents and carers, and external agencies.
• Has experience in a customer-facing role and demonstrable experience of working in a similar environment.
• Can prioritise tasks, take initiative, work independently and work within a team environment so that lettings areas remain safe, orderly and ready for use.
• Has a proactive and flexible approach to work, including casual hours as required during evenings, weekends and school holidays.
• Has knowledge of health and safety, knowledge and experience of building maintenance, and practical maintenance skills relevant to maintaining safe and inviting premises for lettings customers.
• Can identify and report defects or damage to support the safe use of school premises.
• Is reliable and trustworthy, with a sense of responsibility and ownership.
• Can maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Is committed to self-development and willing to learn, develop personal skills and undertake training to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and young people, with suitability to work with children and ability to work across different sites across the Trust as required.
• A First Aid qualification is desirable.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

About the School

River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growing need for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, the site includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including a hall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sports studio. Classrooms are fully equipped with interactive screens and visualisers.

The school has high expectations for all students, with a clear focus on academic excellence and participation. When fully open, River Academy will serve students of all abilities and backgrounds, alongside an additional resource base for students with moderate learning difficulties.

The school also offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities through its after-school Elective programme, available to all students.

To learn more about River Academy, please visit the school website: www.river-academy.co.uk

Benefits

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.
• Annual Leave: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.
• ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
• Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.
• Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.
• Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.
• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.
• Mental Health First Aid support.
• Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.
• Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact [e-mail] for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.