Caretaker

Job Description

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, efficient, friendly and reliable person to join our existing Premises Team. Duties will include: porterage, opening up and closing of the school site, overseeing lettings, security of the buildings and site, storage of cleaning materials, ensuring inside and outside environments are well maintained and meet Health and Safety requirements.

The successful candidate will be organised and flexible and be able to work unsupervised as well in a team and possess general maintenance and DIY skills.

West Hatch is a thriving, heavily oversubscribed innovative school. Proud of its success with significantly above average results. Rated 'Good' by Ofsted, we are always striving for improvement. We are keen to appoint individuals with a positive outlook and a proactive attitude - colleagues who enrich the lives of the learners and staff with whom they work.

We place great store on staff development at all levels and offer a whole range of opportunities for colleagues to develop their leadership potential within and beyond West Hatch.

The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in the commitment. This appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and positive references.

Support the caretaking team by carrying out a range of caretaking duties including security and supervision of the site and related equipment, and other caretaking duties including porterage, cleaning and maintenance.
To act as a key holder, carrying out security procedures for the buildings and grounds. The routine and non-routine opening of premises and grounds. Responding to calls outside normal working hours as a result of break-ins etc. and or/the setting off of the burglar alarm(s).
Providing access, where possible, to the premises and classrooms in the event of snow or minor flooding or similar emergency situations.
Dealing with enquiries from officers and employees of the Local Education Authority, workers and contractors and, where appropriate, advising the Headteacher of their presence.
Attempting to prevent unauthorised access onto the school premises or grounds. (Note: in fulfilling this responsibility all employees are expected to work within established school procedures and the Code of Practice No. 32(S) Managing Violence in Schools).
Undertaking cleaning of allocated area(s), and secondary cleaning.
Washing internal walls e.g. classrooms, corridors, including cleaning at a high level where appropriate safety equipment is available and a safe system of work has been defined in accordance with Health and Safety requirements.
Window cleaning, including cleaning at a high level where appropriate safety equipment is available and a safe system of work has been defined in accordance with Health and Safety requirements.
Washing and cleaning of diffusers and replacing bulbs/tubes. (If this involves work at a high level - comments relating to equipment apply detailed above.)
Carrying out first line repairs and maintenance which are not beyond the scope and capability of the postholder including:-
plumbing work - e.g. repairing a leaking pipe, simple installation work, such as plumbing in a new tap, or replacing washer etc;
redecoration as appropriate
plastering work such as repairing cracked or broken plaster, making good damaged walls for example, following the removal of say, shelving or similar fittings;
fencing and boundary repairs, e.g. mending broken fencing panels or stakes, repairing holes in chain link fences etc; glazing work, such as replacing smaller windows, re-beading or re-puttying glass panes, internal and external.
Note: Specialist contractors would be used for repairs to large window panes or double glazed units or windows at a high level Ensuring that all areas within the site are free from litter and that all drains and gullies are free-flowing and clean.
Taking delivery of stores, materials and other goods and conveying them to their points of distribution. Dispatching laundry, goods, materials etc.
Ensuring that adequate supplies of cleaning materials and other supplies are available.
Operating the heating plant so that the required temperatures are maintained in the premises and an adequate supply of hot water is available. Carrying out frost precaution procedures.
Ensuring that all caretaking and cleaning equipment is in a safe and working condition and arranging for repair as appropriate.
Carrying out routine procedures or checks on ancillary equipment, e.g. checking batteries, automatic pumps and areas subject to flooding.
Carrying out school based procedures in the event of fire, flood, breaking and entering, accident or major damage.

Other duties
Testing portable electrical equipment if trained and accredited to do so.
Assisting with the supervision and training of cleaning staff in the absence of/as requested by the Caretaker/Site Manager.
Undertaking letting and related duties as appropriate in accordance with the provincial agreement.
Preparing the school premises and site for out of school activities.
Assisting, as required, in the completion of claims for caretaking fees for lettings and making out forms for the requisition of stores and repairs.
Advising the Headteacher or an authorised representative*** of the hours worked by the caretaking staff.
At all times to carry out the duties in accordance with school-based policies and Health and Safety procedures.

Such other duties relating to the use of the premises as may be necessary from time to time in accordance with established local practice or within the reasonable requirements of the Headteacher and Governing Body.

The duties may be varied by the Headteacher and/or Governing Body to meet changed circumstances in a manner compatible with the post held. (list only key tasks. these could be under subheadings)

General:

To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager
To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health & safety in the workplace
Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the School's Equal Opportunities Policy
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Information about the School

West Hatch is a thriving, heavily oversubscribed innovative school. Proud of its success with significantly above average results and recently rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, we are always striving for improvement. We are keen to appoint individuals with a positive outlook and a proactive attitude – colleagues who enrich the lives of the learners and staff with whom they work.

We place great store on teacher development at all levels and offer a whole range of opportunities for colleagues to develop their leadership potential within and beyond West Hatch.

Further details about this post and an Application Form are available by visiting our school website.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.