Maintenance/Caretaker

JR United Kingdom; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Stoke-on-Trent is looking for a proactive Caretaker to oversee maintenance and safety at a special needs school. The role offers a chance to work on a trial for a 4-Day Working Week, providing a better work/life balance. The ideal candidate will have experience in site management, knowledge of health and safety regulations, and a full UK driving licence. Benefit from a comprehensive employment package, including life assurance and wellbeing support.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme options

Access to mental health support services

Qualifications

• Experience with audits or compliance checks is recommended.
• Reliable and organised with the ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead general site maintenance and repairs.
• Oversee contractor work and manage safety records.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for students and staff.

Skills

Site management or maintenance experience

Knowledge of Health & Safety and building regulations

IT literate

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance.

We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title: Caretaker

Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum (not pro rata) dependent on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Shifts: Early start (from 6:00am) or late finish (until 6:30pm)

Contract: Permanent, 52 weeks

Start Date: September 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We’re looking for a hands-on, proactive Caretaker to help keep our school safe, clean, and running smoothly. You’ll take the lead on general site maintenance, repairs, and health & safety, ensuring our students and staff can learn and work in a secure, welcoming environment.

About the Role

As the Maintenance/Caretaker, you will play a key role in the smooth running of our school. You will take the lead in ensuring our buildings, grounds, and facilities are maintained to a high standard, while also supporting compliance, safety, and day-to-day operational needs. You’ll be working closely with contractors, staff, and leadership to maintain a safe, clean, and secure learning environment.

Main Duties Include:

• Carrying out minor repairs and overseeing contractor work
• Managing heating, hot water, fire alarms, and key control
• Keeping the grounds tidy and safe, especially in poor weather
• Supporting school deliveries, furniture moves, and routine checks
• Maintaining site safety records and helping with H&S audits
• Overseeing school vehicles and ensuring roadworthiness

What We’re Looking For:

• Site management or maintenance experience
• Knowledge of Health & Safety and building regulations
• Reliable, organised, and calm under pressure
• IT literate and confident working independently or in a team
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Experience with audits or compliance checks

About us

Glebedale School is a special needs school which provides provision for ages 7 years and upwards. We provide a nurturing and welcoming environment to SEMH pupils, and our curriculum has a keen focus on therapy, education and personal development. Our school aims to help pupils grow academically, socially and emotionally to enable them to become capable future citizens.

We provide education to 30 pupils from the Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire areas. At our last Ofsted in December 2022, we were rated “Good”.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 2024, Outcomes First Group was officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why Join Acorn Education?

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

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to mental health support services and health checks

Our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, offers options including:

• Health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Discount options in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – including enhanced maternity and paternity leave, and paid fertility treatments.

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 for personal pursuits. The 4-Day Working Week is subject to successful probation and is not a contractual benefit.

Outcomes First Group is committed to fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment, in line with safeguarding standards. We do not accept liability for earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in the recruitment process. All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.