School Caretaker

Didcot Girls' School; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Didcot Girls’ School is seeking a dedicated Caretaker to help maintain a secure and well-presented site that supports teaching and learning. The successful candidate will join a team responsible for security, maintenance and safe operation of facilities across all year round.

The role offers 37 hours per week with shift patterns. The Grade 5 salary is £26,429–£27,725 plus a shift allowance of £2,561.40 per annum, with opportunities to contribute to events and school life.

Qualifications

• Carrying out minor repairs and general maintenance duties.
• Ensuring security of the premises, acting as a keyholder.
• Monitoring heating and lighting systems, maintaining boiler house and plant.
• Undertaking emergency cleaning and replacement of consumables.
• Supporting with setting up for school events and ensuring site safety.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out minor repairs and general maintenance duties.
• Ensuring security of the premises, acting as a keyholder.
• Monitoring heating and lighting systems, maintaining boiler house and plant.
• Undertaking emergency cleaning and replacement of consumables.
• Supporting with setting up for school events and ensuring site safety.

Job description

Position: Caretaker
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week (shift patterns: 6am - 2pm or 12 noon - 8pm)
Salary: Grade 5, £26,429 - £27,725 plus a shift allowance of £2,561.40 per annum

Main Purpose of the Job:

To work as part of an effective team that ensures the efficient functioning, security, and maintenance of the school site. The role is key to maintaining the site and grounds to a high standard and providing an environment that enhances learning for students.

Key Responsibilities (for further details see job description/person specification attached):

• Carrying out minor repairs and general maintenance duties.
• Ensuring security of the premises, acting as a keyholder.
• Monitoring heating and lighting systems, maintaining boiler house and plant.
• Undertaking emergency cleaning and replacement of consumables.
• Supporting with setting up for school events and ensuring site safety.

Working Pattern:

This post is for 37 hours per week, all year round

Holiday allocation is at 25 days per year, but increases with continuous service

The Caretaker role works on a shift rota with working hours being: 8am-2pm and 12pm-8pm; these hours will vary in school holidays.

The School

Didcot Girls’ School is a dynamic school. In November 2022, the school was judged as continuing to be Outstanding. As Ofsted recognised, we invest in all of our staff:

“Leaders support staff very well. They have established a collaborative and respectful working environment. With the trust, they provide highly valued training and leadership programmes. Staff are exceptionally proud to work at the school.”

Ofsted also noted the high standards within the school and commented that “Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary”

We are a values-driven school, committed to high quality teaching and learning and respectful relationships within an inclusive learning community. Developing stimulating and student-centred teaching and learning is at the centre of our school development work. We work hard to ensure that all girls’ education enables our students to develop confidence, leadership skills and high levels of aspiration.

We are committed to continuous professional development and have wide-ranging training and development opportunities. We are also mindful of the competing demands people face in their lives and make every effort to accommodate flexible working.

Summer 2026 GCSE results were superb with 86% of all students achieving 4+ in English and Maths, and 71% doing the same at 5+. Results at A level in the mixed sixth form shared with our partner school, St Birinus School, are also extremely strong with 37% of grades awarded as A* or A and 65% achieving Grades A*-B. These results place us as one of the highest performing schools in the county.

Employing great staff is key to the success of our school: the Headteacheris actively involved in every interview process.

We understand that valuing and developing our staff is the best way to release and realise their potential. In return, we seek staff who are passionate about working with young people, resilient, and with a truly growth mindset. If this is you, we look forward to hearing from you!

Didcot Girls’ School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced.

RET - Ridgeway Education Trust

As a member of Ridgeway Education Trust, Didcot Girls’ School (Ofsted Outstanding November 2022) works in close partnership with St Birinus School (Ofsted Good, February 2025) . The two schools share a 400 strong mixed Didcot Sixth Form (Ofsted Outstanding, November 2022) which is based predominantly at St Birinus.

Ridgeway Education Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff working in all its schools to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS, references and pre-employment safeguarding checks. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a post. All cases are considered confidentially and according to the nature of the role and information disclosed.

To view our Safeguarding policy, please visit our website: https://www.didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk/265/school-policies

Please be aware that you will be required to bring your original degree certificate, proof of residence and photographic ID, as applicable, to interview and online searches may be made for shortlisted candidates, as part of due diligence checks.

Didcot Girls’ School is a Family Friendly School, committed to supporting our staff so that they can carve out a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and balanced.

Our RET Staff Charter summarises the commitment we make to all staff who join and work at Ridgeway Education Trust.

We are committed to expressing our values of high-quality learning, respectful relationships and an inclusive environment in the day-to-day experience of staff and students throughout the school.

Didot Girls’ School is an equal opportunities employer.