Driver at Horizons Alternative Provision Academy

Cranbury College; Bracknell, Reading; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer

Job summary

Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is seeking a dedicated Driver to support the safe and efficient transport of students to and from school and activities. You will transport students, carry out daily safety checks, maintain the minibus, and keep registers to safeguarding standards.

The role is term-time, part-time, with the main shifts in the morning and afternoon, based at our Launch site and may involve Bracknell, College Road Reading routes.

Qualifications

• Holds a full UK driving licence with a good driving record.
• Has at least two years' driving experience.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and safeguarding.
• Is organised, reliable and able to work independently.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can remain calm and professional in changing situations.
• Works well as part of a team and is willing to be flexible when required.
• Has experience in a similar role (desirable).
• Holds a First Aid qualification or is willing to undertake training (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Safely transport students to and from school and off-site activities using school vehicles.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure journeys are effectively planned and completed on time.
• Carry out daily vehicle safety checks and report any defects promptly.
• Maintain vehicles to a high standard of cleanliness and roadworthiness.
• Keep accurate passenger registers and transport records.
• Communicate professionally with parents, carers and staff as required.
• Follow all school procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, and emergency situations.
• Ensure compliance with road traffic legislation, the Highway Code and vehicle operating requirements.
• Promote positive behaviour during journeys and ensure students travel safely at all times.
• Support with MOT arrangements, servicing schedules and other vehicle compliance activities.

Skills

Full UK driving licence

Two years' driving experience

Safety and safeguarding

Organised and reliable

Excellent communication

Calm under pressure

Team player & flexible

First Aid (desirable)

Job description

About this Role

Are you areliable, safety-conscious driver who enjoys making a positive difference tothe lives of young people? Horizons is seeking a dedicated Driver tosupport the safe and efficient transport of students to and from school andeducational activities.

This is animportant role within our school community, ensuring students arrive safely,comfortably and on time while helping to maintain high standards of vehiclesafety and compliance. In the role, you will support the daily transport ofstudents, providing a calm, safe, and supportive journey that enables them toarrive at school settled, ready to learn, and fully engage with theireducation. Duties will include assisting with the care and compliance ofthe school minibus, ensuring it is well maintained, roadworthy, and routinesafety checks are appropriately documented. The postholder must also demonstrate the ability to work positively with students, ensuring there isrobust safeguarding and an supportive environment during journeys. Applicantsmust be aged 21 or over to comply with insurance and operator licencerequirements, hold a full UK driving licence (D1 category desirable orwillingness to train) with a minimum of two years' driving experience andhave a clean driving licence with no driving convictions. The successfulcandidate should also be willing to complete any required minibus drivertraining and comply with all school policies and legal requirements relating tothe safe transport of students.

This is a term-time only, part-time position. The standard working hours are: Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 9:00am and 2:15pm to 3:45pm Friday: 7:30am to 9:00am and 1:00pm to 2:30pm.

We are, however, willing to consider alternative working arrangements for the rightcandidate. The successful candidate will be primarily based at our Launch site and will beresponsible for delivering the Bracknell transport route. There may also be a requirement to support the College Road and Cranbury Road transport routes, asneeded.

As a DisabilityConfident 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 [email protected] or calling 0118 929 6020.

As Driver, you will:

• Safely transport students to and from school and off-site activities using school vehicles.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure journeys are effectively planned and completed on time.
• Carry out daily vehicle safety checks and report any defects promptly.
• Maintain vehicles to a high standard of cleanliness and roadworthiness.
• Keep accurate passenger registers and transport records.
• Communicate professionally with parents, carers and staff as required.
• Follow all school procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, and emergency situations.
• Ensure compliance with road traffic legislation, the Highway Code and vehicle operating requirements.
• Promote positive behaviour during journeys and ensure students travel safely at all times.
• Support with MOT arrangements, servicing schedules and other vehicle compliance activities.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a full UK driving licence with a good driving record.
• Has at least two years' driving experience.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and safeguarding.
• Is organised, reliable and able to work independently.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can remain calm and professional in changing situations.
• Works well as part of a team and is willing to be flexible when required.
• Has experience in a similar role (desirable).
• Holds a First Aid qualification or is willing to undertake training (desirable).

Why Join Horizons?

At Horizons, we are committed to providing outstanding opportunities for young people with additional needs. Our staff make a real difference every day by creating an environment where students can thrive, achieve and reach their full potential.

We offer:

• A welcoming and supportive team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• A varied and rewarding role.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on students' lives.

About Horizons Alternative Provision Academy

Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is an Alternative Education provision for young people ranging from 5-16 years old. We support learners who have been permanently excluded from mainstream settings and provide preventative support to those who are at risk of permanent exclusion. Additionally, we support those that unintentionally exclude themselves from education and children who cannot access school for medical reasons. We are a multi-site organisation which includes our Primary provisions, based at Great Hollands Primary School in Bracknell and College Road in Reading, and Secondary provision, based at Cranbury Road in Reading. We have Outreach teams that provide specialist support within schools, a tutoring service, offer vocational courses in Hair & Beauty and Multi-skills and run a Hospital Teaching Service based at Royal Berkshire Hospital who provide education to children on short and long term stays. Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is a fast paced, energetic setting where we pride ourselves on a strong team ethic, always working together to create a nurturing and supportive setting for our student's alternative pathway to success.

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 eleven 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 brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

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

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

• Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :
• Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
• ME Day - One additional day's leave each year for a significant personal event
• Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
• Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
• Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
• Mental Health First Aid Support
• Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
• Employee Referral Scheme

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