DBS01172/26 - Caretaker - Benton Dene Schools

North East Combined Authority; Newcastle upon Tyne; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Benton Dene Schools is seeking a dedicated Caretaker to help provide a safe, secure and well-maintained environment where every child can learn and thrive. The role involves opening/closing the site, daily inspections, minor repairs and ensuring health and safety checks are completed with thorough records.

The post requires initiative, flexibility and a strong focus on a welcoming environment. DBS checks will be completed as part of pre-employment, and candidates will engage with professional

Qualifications

• Experience in site management or caretaking roles.
• Ability to follow health and safety requirements and procedures.
• Reliable, proactive and flexible with a can-do attitude.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the school's main caretaker, ensuring opening/closing of the site and acting as first point of contact for emergencies.
• Carry out daily inspections of buildings and grounds for safety and cleanliness.
• Undertake minor repairs and routine maintenance; report or arrange major repairs.
• Complete routine checks (fire, alarm, security, health & safety) and maintain records.
• Monitor lighting, heating and overall condition of premises; support cleaning and upkeep of areas.
• Assist with access around the site and contribute to winter gritting when needed.
• Set up rooms/equipment for assemblies, events and community use.
• Liaise with contractors and supervise cleaning/premises staff as required.

Skills

Caretaking

Health & safety

Site management

Teamwork

Job description

Benton Dene Schools is a unique and inclusive campus where a mainstream primary school and a special school work side by side in an innovative, welcoming environment. We are proud of our supportive school community and are seeking to appoint a dedicated Caretaker who will take pride in helping us provide a safe, secure and well-maintained environment where every child can learn and thrive.

The Governors are looking for a reliable, practical and friendly individual with a positive "can-do" attitude. This is a varied and important role at the heart of school life and would suit someone who enjoys solving practical problems, takes pride in their work and understands the importance of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment. No two days are the same and the successful candidate will need to be proactive, flexible and able to use their own initiative.

We are looking for candidates who are motivated by the opportunity to work in a unique school community where inclusion, collaboration and high expectations are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of the supportive culture we have created for both pupils and staff and are committed to helping every member of our team develop and succeed. The successful candidate will benefit from a strong programme of professional development and training opportunities to support them in their role and future career development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the school's main keyholder, opening and securing the site each day and serving as a first point of contact for agreed out-of-hours emergencies.
• Carrying out daily inspections of the buildings and grounds to ensure they remain safe, secure, clean and welcoming.
• Undertaking minor repairs, general maintenance and practical site duties, and reporting or arranging further repairs where required.
• Completing routine fire, alarm, security and health and safety checks and maintaining appropriate records.
• Monitoring lighting, heating and the general condition of the premises.
• Supporting the cleanliness and upkeep of communal areas and external grounds.
• Helping to maintain safe access around the site, including supporting winter gritting and snow clearance when required.
• Setting up rooms, furniture and equipment for assemblies, school activities, events and community use.
• Liaising with contractors and checking that maintenance and remedial works have been completed appropriately.
• Supervising and supporting cleaning and premises staff as required.

We are looking for someone with experience of site management, caretaking or a similar practical role, together with a good understanding of health and safety requirements. You will be dependable, organised and thorough, with strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Why join us?

You will become part of a friendly and collaborative staff team within one of North Tyneside's most distinctive and inclusive educational campuses. Every day brings variety and your contribution will be highly valued. This is an opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that our pupils, staff and visitors enjoy a safe, welcoming and well-maintained environment in which to learn and work.

The role requires flexibility in working hours and includes a split-shift working pattern to support the opening and closing of the school site.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks as appropriate.

Interested applicants are warmly encouraged to contact the school office on 01914661818 or email [e-mail] to discuss the role or arrange a visit.