Lead Caretaker

Shorefields; Southend-on-Sea; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Shorefields seeks a Lead Caretaker to support Hamstel Infant School & Nursery and Hamstel Junior School in Southend-on-Sea. The role is full-time (37 hours per week, 52 weeks) with potential overtime for lettings and occasional pool duties.

The successful candidate will lead the wider site team, ensure the upkeep of buildings and grounds, and bring DIY skills along with COSHH and safety awareness. A full driving licence is essential to attend sites outside standard hours.

Qualifications

• Experience in building maintenance and caretaking.
• Good communication with staff, contractors and students.
• Knowledge of COSHH and health and safety practices.
• Full driving licence and access to own car.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily activities of the site team and oversee pool operations.
• Maintain appearance and upkeep of school buildings and grounds.
• Carry out general maintenance including electrical, decorating, plumbing and carpentry.
• Liaise with caretakers, contractors and tradesmen, as well as students and staff.
• Cover external evening/weekend lettings on overtime as required.
• Report to the Director of Estates.
• Flexible to variations in working pattern and outside normal hours.

Skills

Maintenance

DIY skills

Communication

Health & Safety

COSHH awareness

Driving licence

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC8822093-133S Position Type: Caretaker/Site Managers Pay Range: Level 6 Points 13 - 20

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 13/11/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 18/11/2026

Hamstel Infant & Nursery and Hamstel Junior School, Hamstel Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 4PQ

Range: Level 6 Points 13 to 20 - £30,023 to £33,673

Hours of work

This role is full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year.

The 37 hours per week will be worked equally across Monday to Friday. It is anticipated that, in most circumstances, the Lead Caretaker will work from 8:00am to 4:00pm to provide cover during core operating hours. However, daily start and finish times may vary to meet the needs of the role and the Trust. There may also be occasions when the Lead Caretaker is required to work a split shift. Any variations to the working pattern will be agreed in advance with the Director of Estates or the Estates Operations Manager

There may also be the requirement to cover external evening/weekend lettings on an overtime basis.

Start Date

As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Lead Caretaker to support the multi academy trust (MAT) working primarily within Hamstel Infant School & Nursery and Hamstel Junior School.

The successful applicant will:

• Contribute to the smooth running of the trusts schools by organising and leading the daily activities of the wider site team, and taking ownership of swimming pool operations.
• Be a team player who takes pride in the appearance and maintenance of the MAT's buildings and grounds.
• Be an enthusiastic, approachable, highly motivated and flexible individual who possesses general building maintenance and caretaking skills.
• Have a good range of DIY skills such as electrical work, decorating, minor plumbing and carpentry.
• Possess good communication skills as you will be liaising with site caretakers, contractors and tradesmen as well as students and staff.
• You should also have an awareness of COSHH, safe manual handling practices and Health and Safety.
• Duties may also include general cleaning, dealing with spillages, blockages, locking and unlocking the sites and any ad-hoc duties that may be required.
• Reporting to the Director of Estates.
• A full driving licence and use of your own car is essential as you may be required to attend site outside of normal working hours.

For more information about the role and a description of the type of candidate we are looking for please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more detail.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications or are able to fill the position faster than originally anticipated.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and shortlisted candidates should be aware that the school will consider carrying out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

Information about the School

At Hamstel Infant School and Nursery there is always a warm welcome awaiting you inan environment that is both happy and safe. Our special motto is ‘We Care…’ andthis is fundamental to everyone and everything we do. Our school is an inclusive,caring and vibrant educational learning space that has grown to four forms of entrywith a Nursery of 48 full-time equivalent places.

We have a fabulous team of committed and enthusiastic staff and Governors, all ofwhom are supported by the excellent resources we have on a spacious site, with well-resourced facilities and the expertise to provide your child with unique opportunities for learning. We have a large team of highly dedicated professionals who are committed to guiding the children’s learning and development to enable them to reach their full potential. Our team uses a whole school nurture approach to guide children with their personal and social skills in order to prepare them for life-long learning.

We are a very inclusive school and pride ourselves in treating every child and family as individuals. We encourage all our children to achieve their best and grow into thoughtful, kind and considerate members of the school community and society as a whole. We take great pride in sharing our school’s many achievements and special awards to advance ourskills and support others too

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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