Site Assistant / Cleaner / Key Holder

Ridgefield Primary School; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Ridgefield Primary School in Cambridge is seeking a reliable caretaker to join our team in a newly created role. You will open the school each morning, unlock the building, and carry out cleaning duties to ensure a welcoming environment before pupils arrive.

There is potential to take on additional premises responsibilities, with Grade 3 duties possible for the right candidate. You’ll work independently, maintain safety and hygiene standards, and support the wider school team to keep the site

Qualifications

• Experience in cleaning, caretaking or site support.
• Reliable and punctual with ability to work independently.
• Willingness to follow health, safety and COSHH procedures.

Responsibilities

• Open the school each morning and secure the premises.
• Carry out daily cleaning to maintain a clean, hygienic environment.
• Conduct routine premises checks and report maintenance needs.
• Assist with basic DIY and setting up rooms as required.
• Support the wider school team with reasonable site tasks.

Skills

Reliability

Punctuality

Independent work

Health & safety

Job description

Ridgefield Primary School is looking for a reliable, practical and enthusiastic person to join our team in this newly created role.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys working independently, takes pride in their surroundings and wants to play an important part in the smooth running of a busy primary school.

The role combines morning site support, cleaning and key-holder responsibilities, with the opportunity for the right candidate to take on additional premises responsibilities.

You will be the person who helps us get the school ready for the day, opening the premises, checking that everything is as it should be, ensuring our environment is clean, safe and welcoming, and responding to routine site matters before pupils and staff arrive.

We are a small, one-form-entry primary school in Cambridge, with approximately 210 pupils, alongside a 26-place nursery. Our staff are committed to making learning fun, exciting and purposeful, and we value collaboration, professional pride and being part of a supportive school community.

About the role

Working independently during the early morning, your responsibilities will include:

• Acting as a key holder, with responsibility for the security of the premises when opening the school.
• Carrying out daily cleaning duties to maintain a clean, hygienic and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Cleaning classrooms, communal areas, toilets and other designated areas in accordance with the school's cleaning requirements.
• Carrying out routine checks of the school premises and identifying anything that requires attention.
• Undertaking minor maintenance and basic DIY tasks within the scope of the role.
• Setting up rooms and moving furniture or equipment where required.
• Maintaining appropriate stocks of cleaning and site materials and reporting when supplies need replenishing.
• Ensuring cleaning materials and equipment are stored safely and used appropriately.
• Responding appropriately to routine site, safety and security issues and escalating concerns where necessary.
• Reporting repairs and maintenance issues that require specialist attention.
• Maintaining simple records, checklists and other information as required.
• Working with contractors or other site workers when required and reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• Using initiative to organise and prioritise your workload to ensure the school is ready for the day ahead.
• Supporting the wider school team with reasonable site-related tasks within the scope of the role.

Additional premises responsibilities

For the right candidate, there is scope for the role to include additional premises responsibilities and appointment at Grade 3.

These may include:

• Taking a more proactive role in routine premises inspections and identifying maintenance requirements.
• Acting as a day-to-day point of contact for contractors attending the school.
• Monitoring the quality and completion of routine maintenance work and following up outstanding issues.
• Maintaining premises-related records and documentation.
• Assisting with obtaining quotations and purchasing site-related supplies.
• Taking responsibility for agreed site-related stock and expenditure.
• Identifying and raising health, safety and security issues and making recommendations for improvement.
• Supporting the school's arrangements for routine site services and maintenance.
• Taking a proactive approach to identifying potential problems before they become issues.
• Supporting the coordination of other site or cleaning activity where required.

The precise level of responsibility will reflect the successful candidate's skills, experience and the responsibilities undertaken within the role.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is reliable, punctual and takes pride in their work.
• Has previous experience in cleaning, caretaking, site support, premises management or a similar practical role.
• Has good attention to detail and high standards of cleanliness.
• Are practical and confident undertaking basic maintenance and DIY tasks.
• Is trustworthy and understands the responsibility associated with being a key holder.
• Can work independently and use their own initiative.
• Can organise and prioritise their workload effectively.
• Has good communication skills and works well as part of a team.
• Can identify and report maintenance, health and safety or security items.
• Understands the importance of following health and safety and COSHH procedures.
• Can deal calmly and appropriately with routine problems and know when an issue needs to be escalated.
• Is flexible, adaptable and willing to support the wider needs of the school.
• Is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for children and staff.
• Is committed to the aims and ethos of our school.

Experience of working in a school environment would be desirable but is not essential.

Experience of premises, caretaking, facilities or site support would be particularly welcome for candidates interested in taking on the additional Grade 3 responsibilities.

We can offer you

• A friendly, supportive and collaborative team of staff and governors.
• A welcoming and supportive school community.
• Enthusiastic children who enjoy taking part in school life.
• A role where you will make a genuine contribution to the smooth running of our school.
• Support and training to help you develop in the role.
• The opportunity to develop your premises and site responsibilities.
• A school committed to safeguarding, wellbeing, inclusion and high standards.
• The opportunity to become an important and valued member of our school team.

At Ridgefield Primary School we welcome our duties under the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. As part of our safer recruitment process, the school will undertake all appropriate pre-employment, safeguarding, online and background checks for shortlisted candidates and successful applicants, in accordance with statutory requirements, Keeping Children Safe in Education and the school's recruitment procedures.