School Caretaker

Smile Education Recruitment; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Education Recruitment are recruiting an experienced School Caretaker for a welcoming primary school in Erdington, with an immediate start available. You will be responsible for opening and securing the site, routine checks, maintenance, and ensuring a clean, safe, and operational environment for pupils and staff.

The role suits a practical, independent worker with good DIY and health-and-safety awareness.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Caretaker or similar role.
• Experience in a school/educational setting preferred.
• Practical, proactive and able to use own initiative.
• Good general maintenance and DIY skills.
• Strong health and safety understanding.
• Reliable, punctual and highly organized.
• Confident working independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain a clean, safe school environment.
• Flexible and responsive to changing needs of the school.

Responsibilities

• Open and secure school premises.
• Carry out daily checks of buildings and grounds.
• Ensure site is safe, secure and well maintained.
• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs.
• Report larger issues to contractors.
• Maintain school grounds and basic gardening.
• Set up and move furniture and equipment.
• Assist with deliveries and contractors.
• Monitor heating, lighting and basic site systems.
• Carry out routine health and safety checks.
• Support fire safety and emergency procedures.
• Maintain records of checks and maintenance.
• Keep classrooms and spaces safe and presentable.
• Liaise with staff, contractors and external agencies.
• Support day-to-day operation of the site.
• Respond promptly to safety or running issues.

Skills

Caretaking

Facilities management

DIY skills

Health and safety

Reliability

Punctuality

Independent working

Communication skills

Job description

Smile Education are currently recruiting for an experienced School Caretaker to join a welcoming and supportive primary school in the Erdington area, with an immediate start available.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a reliable, practical and hardworking individual who takes pride in maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming school environment. The successful candidate will play an important role in the day-to-day running of the school, ensuring the premises, grounds and facilities are well maintained and ready for pupils and staff each day.

The successful applicant will be responsible for general caretaking and maintenance duties, including opening and securing the school site, carrying out routine checks, responding to maintenance issues and ensuring the school remains clean, safe and operational.

The role would suit someone with previous experience in caretaking, facilities management, maintenance or a similar hands-on environment, particularly someone who is confident working independently and able to prioritise tasks effectively.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly and dedicated school team. The expected salary range for the role is 16 - 18 per hour, depending on experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Opening and securing the school premises
• Carrying out daily checks of the school buildings and grounds
• Ensuring the school site is safe, secure and well maintained
• Carrying out general maintenance and minor repairs where appropriate
• Reporting larger maintenance issues to the relevant person or contractor
• Maintaining school grounds, including basic gardening and outdoor upkeep
• Setting up and moving furniture and equipment as required
• Supporting the school with deliveries and contractors
• Monitoring heating, lighting and other basic site systems
• Carrying out routine health and safety checks
• Supporting fire safety and emergency procedures
• Maintaining accurate records of relevant checks and maintenance
• Ensuring classrooms, communal areas and external spaces are kept safe and presentable
• Liaising professionally with school staff, contractors and external agencies
• Supporting the smooth day-to-day operation of the school site
• Responding promptly to any issues that may affect the safety or running of the school

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have previous experience working as a Caretaker, Site Assistant, Facilities Assistant or in a similar role
• Ideally have previous experience working within a school or educational setting
• Be practical, proactive and able to use their own initiative
• Have good general maintenance and DIY skills
• Have a strong understanding of health and safety procedures
• Be reliable, punctual and highly organised
• Be confident working independently and as part of a wider school team
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Be able to build positive working relationships with staff, pupils, contractors and visitors
• Take pride in maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming school environment
• Be flexible and willing to respond to the changing needs of the school

What to Expect from Applicants

We are looking for applicants with previous experience in caretaking, maintenance, facilities management or a similar practical role. Previous experience working within a school or other educational environment would be highly advantageous. Candidates should be confident carrying out general maintenance, site checks and basic repairs, while understanding the importance of safeguarding, security and health and safety within a primary school.

The successful candidate will be expected to work proactively and efficiently, ensuring any issues are identified and dealt with promptly.

Why work with Smile Education?

Smile Education are an agency with a difference. We are education specialists with a proven track record of supporting both experienced education professionals and those beginning their careers. We provide access to training and CPD opportunities and proudly work alongside a number of well-established schools and academy trusts across the local area. We are passionate about finding the right role for every candidate and providing ongoing support throughout their placement.

To be successful in your application, you should have experience in one or more of the following

• School caretaking or site management
• General maintenance and DIY
• Facilities management
• Building and grounds maintenance
• Health and safety checks
• Working within a school or educational environment
• Managing contractors and deliveries
• Opening and securing premises
• Availability to join the school immediately and commit to the required duration

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited List, Barred List, DBS and qualification checks.

SM1LES

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.