Lead Caretaker

Prospere Learning Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High quality CPD

Generous Pension Contribution

Flexible working options

Mental Health First Aid

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Piper Hill High School is seeking a Lead Caretaker to join its Estates team. This permanent role is 35 hours per week, all year, with a starting salary of £29,064. Interviews take place the week commencing 7th September 2026.

You will lead the day-to-day management of the site, supervise estates staff, manage security systems, and ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety and presentation across the school. The role requires flexibility and a focus on safeguarding and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior caretaking or site management role within a school or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety and hygiene procedures, COSHH awareness.
• Ability to plan and deliver maintenance programmes and supervise staff.
• Experience managing external contractors and budgets.
• Competence with building/facilities management systems and accurate record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day site management, maintenance and facilities for a safe, well-presented school.
• Act as keyholder, manage security systems, alarms and CCTV.
• Lead estates staff, allocate work and support staff development.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and maintain records.
• Coordinate maintenance, repairs and PP M programme, and liaise with external contractors.
• Support lettings, events, cleaning contracts and service providers.

Skills

Estates management

Health and safety knowledge

Organisation & planning

Staff management

Contractor liaison

Budgeting

FM systems

PPM knowledge

Driving licence

Flexible working

Tools

FM management systems

Job description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Caretaker to join our fantastic team at Piper Hill High School

This is a permanent post working 35 hours per week, all year round with a starting salary of £29,064. (Grade 5) Interviews will take place the week commencing 7th September 2026. The successful candidate will join us as soon as pre-employment checks are complete.

About the role

As Lead Caretaker, you will play a key role in ensuring our school site, buildings and specialist facilities are safe, secure, well-maintained and welcoming. Working closely with the Site Manager/Operations Manager, you will help oversee the day-to-day management of the school site and provide effective leadership to the estates team.

You will be responsible for

• Supporting the day-to-day management and development of the school site, buildings and specialist facilities


• Acting as a keyholder and managing site security systems, including alarms, CCTV and surveillance systems


• Leading and supervising estates staff, including allocating work, monitoring performance and supporting staff development


• Ensuring the school site is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness, presentation and safety, both inside and outside


• Supporting the delivery and monitoring of the school’s Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme


• Ensuring statutory and routine checks are completed and accurately recorded, including fire bells, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and fire doors


• Coordinating general maintenance and repairs, ensuring work is completed swiftly, safely and to the required standard


• Supporting the estates repairs and maintenance helpdesk and associated systems


• Managing and supervising external contractors, maintaining effective relationships and monitoring performance


• Overseeing grounds maintenance, including maintaining safe access to the site during periods of severe weather


• Supporting the maintenance and upkeep of specialist equipment and facilities across the school


• Supporting the management of cleaning provision and liaising with catering and other external service providers where required


• Supporting the school lettings process and working with external providers


• Ensuring an effective site service and supporting the set-up of furniture and equipment for school events, examinations, meetings and other activities


• Playing a lead role in maintaining high standards of health and safety, security and compliance across the site


• Supporting risk assessments and ensuring health and safety policies and procedures are followed


• Maintaining accurate records and information relating to buildings, facilities, maintenance and compliance


• Responding promptly to site emergencies and attending call-outs when required


• Working flexibly as part of an agreed shift pattern

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a proactive, practical and experienced estates professional who takes pride in maintaining a safe, well-managed school environment.

You will have

• Significant experience in a relevant discipline, ideally senior caretaking or site management experience within a school or similar environment


• Strong knowledge of health and safety and hygiene procedures, including an awareness of COSHH regulations


• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to plan and deliver maintenance programmes effectively


• Experience of managing staff, supporting their development and promoting a positive performance culture


• Experience of working with and supervising external contractors


• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and use building/facilities management systems


• Experience of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) management would be advantageous


• Experience of managing budgets and preparing costed plans for repairs and maintenance would be advantageous


• Good numeracy and literacy skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records


• The ability to undertake the physical aspects of the role safely


• Relevant Health & Safety training, such as First Aid, Fire Safety, Fire Evacuation or Legionella Awareness, would be advantageous


• A full valid driving licence, or willingness to obtain one, would be desirable


• A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to prioritise effectively and work unsociable hours when required


• A collaborative approach and the ability to communicate with staff, students, parents, contractors and other stakeholders with tact and diplomacy

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is committed to maintaining high professional standards and who will contribute positively to the vision, values and continued improvement of our school and Trust.

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles


• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of everyday health care expenses


• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and 15% for support staff


• Good holidays – teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service


• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free


• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines


• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans


• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible


• Mental Health First Aid in every school


• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more


• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

Piper Hill High School

Piper Hill School is an Outstanding school that is ambitious for every one of our learners. We are a larger than average size special school that caters for students aged 11 – 19 with significant learning difficulties. We aim to provide the very best education for our students and to ensure they have the very best outcomes and make the best rates of progress they possibly can.

Piper Hill high School has state of the art facilities that provide an environment suitable for the learning needs of both children and young adults, including a hydrotherapy pool, dance and drama studio, gym, and an interactive learning environment (ILE room). The school also has a variety of outside spaces, including a Forest School space with overnight camping pods.

Our recent Ofsted inspection found the school continues to Outstanding,

\"Pupils flourish at this exceptional school. They feel safe and happy in this welcoming place, where everyone is treated equally. They rise to the school’s high expectations of their behaviour because staff know and understand them well.\" Ofsted 2023

Visit our website to learn more about our school community: https://www.piperhillschool.net/

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement