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Polaris Community; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 30+ days

Bank holidays

Company pension

Life assurance

Discount plan

Job summary

Polaris Community in Batley and Huddersfield is seeking an experienced Caretaker to maintain two school sites and support pupils’ safety.

You will carry out cleaning, maintenance and porterage tasks, ensure health and safety compliance, and work with contractors across both sites. A valid driving licence and willingness to travel between sites are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous caretaking experience within a school environment.
• Experience with building maintenance.
• Experience with security, including alarm systems.
• Good knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Basic DIY skills.
• Good interpersonal skills to liaise with contractors and visitors.
• Good literacy and numeracy.
• Driving licence and access to own car.
• Willingness to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide caretaker services to two school sites.
• Maintain clean, safe and secure premises.
• Carry out cleaning, maintenance tasks, refurbishments and minor repairs.
• Supervise school cleaning staff.
• Promote health and safety across the sites.
• Carry out porterage and move furniture/equipment.
• Report issues to Headteacher and maintain premises.
• Carry out small repairs and DIY projects.
• Arrange larger repairs and obtain quotes from contractors.
• Carry out daily cleaning and ad-hoc duties, litter pick and waste disposal.
• Perform emergency cleaning duties (gritting, spill cleanups).
• Coordinate annual deep clean of classrooms and staff areas.
• Maintain cleaning tools and stock levels.
• Lock/unlock premises, including out of hours.
• Check windows/doors/gates, switch off lights and equipment.

Skills

Caretaking experience

Building maintenance

Security alarms

Health and safety knowledge

DIY skills

Interpersonal skills

Literacy and numeracy

SEMH awareness

Driving licence

Tools

Alarm systems

Job description

• 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service
• Bank Holidays
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash Plan

We are looking to recruit an experienced Caretaker to look after two small to medium-sized schools. Are you ready to join a supportive and nurturing community that works together to achieve the very best outcomes for its pupils? If so, our schools in Batley and Huddersfield could be the perfect place for you to develop your career and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

About the Schools

Our main goal in education is to help young people to reach their full potential. At Polaris, we recognise the importance of specialist education and support for young people who need a tailored approach to learning.

With significant investment and an abundance of new resources, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to shape and mould the schools to create a supportive environment that promotes self-discipline and engagement, and inspires learning. Our mission is to provide each pupil with a diverse and appropriate education that encourages aspiration and achievement.

We are part of the Polaris Community and have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. Within the Polaris Community, we have several SEN schools across the UK that work together to provide each pupil with a tailored, diverse and appropriate education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes engagement, inspires learning and encourages achievement. We are also incredibly proud that 100% of our inspected services have been rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

Role Responsibilities

Provide caretaker services to two small to medium-sized school sites. A summary of tasks includes:

• Maintaining clean, safe and secure school premises, including buildings and grounds
• Carrying out cleaning, maintenance tasks, routine maintenance, refurbishment and minor repairs
• Some supervision of school cleaning staff
• Promoting health and safety around the schools
• Carrying out porterage duties, such as moving furniture and equipment around the school
• Maintaining the general school premises, furniture and fittings, and reporting any issues to the Headteacher
• Carrying out small repairs and DIY projects
• Arranging larger repairs and obtaining quotes from contractors
• Carrying out daily cleaning and ad-hoc duties, such as litter picking and arranging the disposal of waste
• Carrying out emergency cleaning duties, such as gritting and cleaning up spillages
• Arranging an annual deep clean of classrooms, staffrooms, kitchen, dining areas, food tech areas and other frequently used spaces on school premises
• Taking responsibility for the maintenance of cleaning tools and products, including arranging replacements and ensuring good stock levels
• Locking and unlocking the premises as required, including out of school hours when necessary
• Checking at the end of the school day that all windows, doors and gates are locked, lights are switched off, and gas and electrical appliances are turned off

Requirements

• Previous caretaking experience within a school environment
• Previous experience of building maintenance
• Previous experience of security, including alarm systems
• Good knowledge and understanding of health and safety regulations
• Basic DIY skills
• Good interpersonal skills to protect the school's interests in dealing with contractors and other visitors to the site
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Ability to work in an environment with SEMH children
• Full driving licence and access to own car
• Willingness to travel between both sites

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris. Polaris is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.