Temporary Caretaker

Description

The Primary School Caretaker reports to the School Business Manager and Headteacher and works part‑time on the school site. The role ensures a safe, clean, secure and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors. It involves maintaining buildings, grounds and facilities, carrying out repairs, supervising contractors and supporting daily school operations.

Daily duties include opening and closing the site, performing regular security and health‑and‑safety checks, and responding to after‑hours call‑outs. The caretaker carries out minor repairs, routine inspections of heating, lighting, plumbing and ventilation, and basic grounds maintenance such as sweeping, leaf clearance and winter gritting. They also oversee cleanliness, assist cleaning staff, manage supplies, set up rooms for lessons or events, and handle deliveries, waste and recycling.

• Open and close the school each day, securing all buildings.
• Conduct regular security checks of alarms, gates and doors.
• Respond to after‑hours call‑outs as a key holder.
• Perform minor repairs such as replacing bulbs and fixing door handles.
• Inspect heating, lighting, plumbing and ventilation systems routinely.
• Carry out basic grounds work, including sweeping, leaf removal and winter gritting.
• Maintain cleanliness of entrances, corridors and outdoor areas.
• Assist and monitor cleaning staff, managing cleaning supplies.
• Set up rooms for lessons, meetings and school events.
• Manage deliveries, distribute supplies and oversee storage areas.
• Ensure proper waste and recycling handling.
• Supervise onsite contractors and ensure safe working practices.
• Liaise with maintenance services, inspectors and external agencies.
• Perform health and safety checks, including playground inspections.
• Assist with risk assessments for site‑related activities.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and maintain confidentiality.
• Work occasional evenings or weekends for events or emergencies.

Requirements

The post requires practical maintenance skills, a solid understanding of health and safety, reliability and punctuality, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Physical fitness for manual tasks and a friendly, respectful demeanor around children are essential. Desirable experience includes previous work in a school setting, basic IT competence for logging issues, and relevant certifications such as health‑and‑safety or manual‑handling training.

• Essential: practical maintenance skills and DIY experience.
• Essential: strong knowledge of health and safety responsibilities.
• Essential: reliability, punctuality and a sense of responsibility.
• Essential: ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Essential: physical fitness for manual tasks.
• Essential: friendly, approachable demeanor around children.
• Desirable: prior experience in a school environment.
• Desirable: basic IT skills for issue logging and email monitoring.
• Desirable: relevant training or certificates (e.g., health & safety, manual handling).

Benefits

Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed for school events or emergencies, and the role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. The position offers £14.50 per hour, part‑time hours from 07:30‑12:30, Monday‑Friday, term‑time only.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance