Facilities Manager

Acorn Care and Education; Shifnal; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Shifnal is seeking a Facilities Manager to oversee on-site services at Higford School. The successful candidate will manage a facilities team, ensure the school environment is safe and compliant, and maintain high standards of facilities management. Key responsibilities include leading daily operations and ensuring compliance with health & safety standards. This permanent, full-time role offers up to £36,500 per annum and promotes a better work-life balance through a 4-Day Working Week trial.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing maintenance teams or projects.
• Strong understanding of facilities management and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to implement effective operational systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Facilities Team for high performance.
• Manage daily operations and facilities services efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards.

Skills

Leading maintenance teams

Facilities management

Health & safety compliance

Budget management

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Facilities Manager

Location: Higford School, Near Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9ET

Salary: Up to £36,500 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent | Full Time | 52 weeks

Start: January 2026

UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised Facilities Manager to lead our on-site services and ensure Higford School remains a safe, compliant, and inspiring environment for pupils, staff, and visitors. You will oversee the day‑to‑day operation of the site, manage a dedicated facilities team, and maintain buildings, grounds, and resources to the highest standard, supporting outstanding teaching, learning, and care.

You will play a central role in ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements, safeguarding procedures, and health & safety standards, while driving continuous improvement in facilities management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support the Facilities Team to deliver high standards of performance and professional conduct
• Manage daily site operations, caretaking, and facilities services to ensure a safe and efficient school environment
• Maintain compliance with Independent School Standards, Ofsted requirements, and relevant health & safety legislation
• Oversee statutory testing and records, including fire safety, emergency lighting, water hygiene, legionella, asbestos, gas, electrical safety, and playground checks
• Conduct regular site inspections, risk assessments, and audits, taking prompt action to resolve issues
• Coordinate emergency procedures, including fire evacuations, lockdowns, and critical incident responses
• Plan and manage reactive, planned, and cyclical maintenance programmes
• Oversee internal and external contractors, ensuring quality, compliance, and safeguarding standards
• Maintain the school estate to support effective teaching, learning, and pupil wellbeing

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience leading and managing maintenance teams or projects
• Strong understanding of facilities management, compliance, and health & safety
• Experience managing budgets, procurement, and value-for-money processes
• Demonstrated ability to implement effective operational systems and processes

Desirable

• Experience working within an educational or SEN setting
• Relevant trade qualification or facilities management training

About Us

Options Higford is a specialist school set in 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide a high quality, holistic education for up to 60 autistic students who also have associated behavioural needs. Class groups have five students in with at least 1:1 staffing. We provide personalised curriculums for each student based on their individual needs and aim to support them to make progress academically, socially, with skills for life, regulating their emotions and accessing the community.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enabling you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.