Premises Assistant

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Erith; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing training and professional dev

Local Government Pension Scheme

Friendly site team

Job summary

The Federation of Barnehurst Schools is seeking a reliable Premises Assistant to join our on-site team across Barnehurst schools. This part-time role covers cleaning, minor repairs, porterage, site security, and grounds maintenance, ensuring safe, welcoming spaces for pupils, staff and visitors.

You'll work under the Premises Manager, carry out routine safety checks, support contractors, and help set up rooms for lessons and events. A practical, hands-on approach and flexibility are essential.

Qualifications

• Some experience in a caretaking, cleaning, portering, general maintenance or trades role — paid or voluntary.
• A relevant trade qualification, First Aid at Work certificate, basic health & safety training (e.g. IOSH Working Safely), or a full UK driving licence would be an advantage but are not essential.

Responsibilities

• Carry out general cleaning, tidying and minor upkeep of buildings and grounds, and undertake minor repairs, porterage and maintenance tasks within your competence.
• Act as a keyholder, opening and securing the site, setting alarms, and supporting an on-call/out-of-hours rota.
• Maintain the school grounds and outdoor areas, including litter picking, gritting, snow clearance and basic grounds tasks.
• Support the setup and clearing of rooms and outdoor spaces for lessons, assemblies, events and lettings, and help manage deliveries and site stock.
• Carry out routine statutory checks (e.g., fire alarm testing, water temperature checks, equipment inspections) as directed, and report any defects or hazards promptly.
• Help welcome and support contractors and visitors on site in line with safeguarding and site procedures.

Skills

Caretaking experience

Cleaning

Portering

General maintenance

Trades

Education

GCSE English and Maths 3/D or above

First Aid at Work certificate

IOSH Working Safely

Job description

About Us

The Federation of Barnehurst Schools brings together Barnehurst Infant School and Barnehurst Junior School in Northumberland Heath, Bexley, as part of The Primary First Trust (PFT). Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, our federation is a popular, close-knit part of the local community, admitting two forms of entry each year across our Reception and Year 3 intakes.

We're proud of an ethos built around the "Power of Me" and "Power of We" — helping every child grow into a confident, resilient and compassionate learner within a caring, inclusive and inspiring environment where they feel safe. That ambition is backed up by recognition, including the IQM Inclusive School Flagship Award, Music Mark School status, and Rights Respecting School accreditation.

Behind every great classroom is a safe, well-maintained school site — and that's where you come in.

About the Role

We're looking for a reliable, practical, and hands-on Premises Assistant to join our site team on a part-time basis across the Federation of Barnehurst Schools. Working under the direction of the Premises Manager, you'll help keep our school buildings, grounds and facilities safe, clean and welcoming for pupils, staff and visitors every day.

This is a varied, hands-on role covering general caretaking and cleaning, minor repairs and porterage, keyholding and site security, grounds maintenance, and supporting the setup of rooms and spaces for lessons, events and lettings. You'll also help carry out routine health and safety checks and support contractors and suppliers on site — so no two days are quite the same.

Day to day, you'll:

• Carry out general cleaning, tidying and minor upkeep of buildings and grounds, and undertake minor repairs, porterage and maintenance tasks within your competence.
• Act as a keyholder, opening and securing the site, setting alarms, and supporting an agreed on-call/out-of-hours rota.
• Maintain the school grounds and outdoor areas, including litter picking, gritting, snow clearance and basic grounds tasks.
• Support the setup and clearing of rooms and outdoor spaces for lessons, assemblies, events and lettings, and help manage deliveries and site stock.
• Carry out routine statutory checks (e.g., fire alarm testing, water temperature checks, equipment inspections) as directed, and report any defects or hazards promptly.
• Help welcome and support contractors and visitors on site in line with our safeguarding and site procedures.

What We're Looking For

• A practical, hands-on approach and a willingness to carry out physical tasks (lifting, moving furniture, minor repairs, clearing snow).
• Some experience in a caretaking, cleaning, portering, general maintenance or trades role — paid or voluntary.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills (e.g. GCSE English and Maths grade 3/D or above, or equivalent — or a willingness to work towards this).
• Good communication skills and the ability to follow instructions and work well as part of a team.
• Reliability, punctuality and flexibility, including a willingness to work occasional early mornings, evenings or weekends as part of an on-call rota.
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

A relevant trade qualification, First Aid at Work certificate, basic health & safety training (e.g. IOSH Working Safely), or a full UK driving licence would be an advantage but are not essential — full training will be provided.

If you would like to visit the site, please contact the school on the contact details below.

Why Join Us

• Be part of an Outstanding-rated school and a supportive, values-led Trust that invests in its people.
• Ongoing training and professional development, including manual handling, COSHH, fire safety and first aid.
• A friendly, close-knit site team and the chance to make a genuine difference to the day-to-day experience of every child across our two schools.
• Local Government Pension Scheme membership
• Access to wellbeing services, including GP, nurse, counselling and physiotherapy support