Health and Safety Manager / Transport Lead

Durham County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority in North East England is seeking an experienced Health & Safety Manager / Transport Lead to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations at Villa Real School. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, the ability to work under pressure, and be methodical in approach. Responsibilities include preparing reports, conducting risk assessments, and supporting transitions for high-risk students. Additional duties include transport management and maintaining safety standards across the school.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Health and Safety Officer or similar role.
• Proficient in preparing Health and Safety reports.
• Familiarity with legislation related to health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe working and learning environment.
• Prepare and manage Health and Safety reports.
• Monitor risk assessments and evaluate quality.
• Support with transitions for high-risk students.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Methodical and thorough work standards

Team supervision ability

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Health & Safety Manager / Transport Lead

Grade 7 | £30,024 - £33,699 | Permanent, Full time, 37 hours per week | Required to start as soon as possible

Villa Real School is an all‑age special school with pupils with SLD, PMLD and ASD. The governors are seeking to employ an experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic Health & Safety Manager / Transport Lead.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main Health and Safety Officer for the School, ensuring a safe working and learning environment in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Prepare Health and Safety reports for the Governors.
• Keep appropriate records, ensuring that they are available for inspection and provide statistical and other returns, as required, to the Headteacher, Governors and Local Authority.
• Keep up to date with changes to legislation (especially health and safety) and best practice in facilities management.
• Lead and ensure classroom staff complete individual pupil/student risk assessments including complex feeding plans and staff medical risk assessments.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of all risk assessments with the SMT.
• Support key staff in writing and implementing key‑area risk assessments, e.g. visits, alternative provision, Evolve Lead.
• Support with transitions of high‑risk students around school.
• Transport Lead.
• Hydrotherapy pool deputy.
• Provide ad‑hoc cover for the caretaker re: small housekeeping issues and locking up.
• Attend SMT meetings on a monthly basis to report on health and safety throughout the school.
• Accurately record and upload accidents to the health and safety team, liaising with them when necessary and ensuring that any recommendations are actioned.
• Attend safeguarding monitoring sessions with SMT & Governors.
• Be a member of the First Aid team.
• Drive mini‑bus or use own vehicle as cover.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills.
• Methodically, thoroughly and consistently high standards to ensure work is carried out effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to supervise a team and work alone as required.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Application form and further details are available by email and returnable to the Headteacher. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 23 January 2026 and are encouraged to visit the school.

Durham County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce and we positively welcome applicants from all sections of the community. Applicants with disabilities will be invited for interview if the essential job criteria are met. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and supportive references.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions, making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

Closing date: 21 January 2026 at 9.00am.
Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026.
Application forms should be returned to the school.

Contact Details

Villa Real School
Villa Real Road
Consett
Co. Durham
DH8 6BH

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.villarealschool.co.uk