Site and Facilities Manager

Blenheim Schools; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Hendon Prep, part of Blenheim Schools, in Sunderland, is seeking a proactive Site & Facilities Manager to lead the management, maintenance, and development of our school estate. You will ensure a safe, compliant, and welcoming environment while helping shape long-term facility plans.

Reporting to the Headteacher, you will oversee buildings, grounds, compliance, contractor management, and capital projects, while supporting events and daily site operations, including minibus driving where required.

Qualifications

• Experience in facilities, premises, estates, or site management.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing contractors, maintenance programmes, and site projects.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills.
• Practical maintenance skills and a hands-on approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• A full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management and maintenance of the school site, buildings, and grounds.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, fire safety, and statutory regulations.
• Manage planned preventative maintenance and oversee reactive repairs.
• Coordinate contractors, suppliers, and service providers, ensuring high-quality standards.
• Deliver site improvement, refurbishment, and estate development projects.
• Maintain accurate compliance, maintenance, and risk management records.
• Manage facilities budgets and site resources effectively.
• Oversee specialist learning environments and technical equipment.
• Support school events, educational visits, and operational activities, including minibus driving where required.

Skills

Facilities management

Health & safety compliance

Contractor management

Organizational skills

Hands-on maintenance

Communication skills

Safeguarding awareness

Full UK driving licence

Education

Facilities Management qualification

Experience in school/educational setting

Compliance systems knowledge

D1 entitlement / minibuses driving

Estate compliance knowledge

Job description

About the School

Welcome to Hendon Prep, a nurturing and inclusive independent preparatory school where every child is known, supported, and encouraged to succeed. We pride ourselves on fostering strong relationships, maintaining high standards of care, and committing to the academic, social, and emotional development of our students.

Our community values kindness, resilience, and a love of learning. We offer a broad and engaging curriculum alongside a rich co-curricular programme, ensuring that children from Preschool through to Year 6 flourish and reach their full potential. Safeguarding and student wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

At Hendon Prep, we believe that exceptional learning begins with an exceptional environment. We are on the lookout for a proactive and highly organized Site & Facilities Manager to lead the management, maintenance, and future development of our school estate. Your role will be crucial in ensuring our facilities continue to inspire students, staff, and visitors alike.

This is more than just a caretaking position. As a key member of the school's leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining a safe, compliant, and welcoming environment while helping shape the long-term future of our facilities.

Reporting directly to the Headteacher, you will take charge of the overall management of the school's buildings, grounds, and facilities. Your responsibilities will include overseeing compliance, maintenance programmes, contractor management, and capital projects, while also providing practical support where needed.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled facilities professional who enjoys both strategic responsibility and being actively involved in the day-to-day operations of a busy and thriving school.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the management and maintenance of the school site, buildings, and grounds.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, fire safety, and statutory regulations.
• Manage planned preventative maintenance and oversee reactive repairs.
• Coordinate contractors, suppliers, and service providers, ensuring high-quality standards.
• Deliver site improvement, refurbishment, and estate development projects.
• Maintain accurate compliance, maintenance, and risk management records.
• Manage facilities budgets and site resources effectively.
• Oversee specialist learning environments and technical equipment.
• Support school events, educational visits, and operational activities, including minibus driving where required.

What You Will Bring

We are looking for a proactive and organized facilities professional who can confidently manage a busy school site while maintaining high standards of safety, compliance, and presentation.

• Experience in facilities, premises, estates, or site management.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing contractors, maintenance programmes, and site projects.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills.
• Practical maintenance skills and a hands-on approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Facilities Management qualification.
• Experience working in a school or educational setting.
• Knowledge of compliance systems and statutory testing.
• D1 entitlement or experience driving minibuses.
• Understanding of independent school estates and compliance requirements.

About Blenheim Schools

Blenheim Schools is a growing family of innovative, high-quality independent schools committed to enabling outstanding futures for every student. Our ethos centers on truly understanding each child, their talents, character, and aspirations by providing a personalized, ambitious education that helps every child thrive.

We deliver a broad, enriching curriculum supported by tailored teaching and exceptional pastoral care. We celebrate individuality, nurture confidence, and champion every learner so they can discover their strengths and achieve their potential.

Joining Blenheim Schools means becoming part of a collaborative, forward-thinking community that values creativity, inclusion, and professional growth. Our teams are united by a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and a commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for students and families.

We are proud to be part of OFG Education, which was officially certified as a Great Place to Work® for the sixth consecutive year in 2025.

Note: We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.