At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our school safe and welcoming with DIY, maintenance, and security checks.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Downend School, dedicated to supporting young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive community, professional development, and family-friendly leave packages.
- Other info: Work part-time with flexible hours and great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance or DIY; no formal education background needed.
The predicted salary is between 9869 - 9869 £ per year.
Hours: 14.5 per week
Working days: Thursday (12pm-7.30pm) & Friday (12pm-7pm)
Salary: CSET 12 £25,185 FTE, £9,869 prorated
Location: Downend School
About the role
We are looking for a handy, practical Caretaker to join our dedicated, friendly team on a part time contract. In this role, you’ll be the go-to person keeping our school safe, welcoming and running smoothly for our pupils and staff. Working closely with our School Operations Manager, your main duties will include:
- General DIY & Maintenance: Handling everyday repairs, fixing fixtures, and taking care of basic plumbing, electrics, or carpentry tasks.
- Security & Keyholding: locking up the school buildings, setting alarms, and making sure the site is secure.
- Grounds & Safety Checks: Doing daily walks to check the building, clearing drains, managing grit/snow in the winter, and running simple safety checks (like fire alarms and water testing).
- Supervising & Helping Out: Keeping an eye on external contractors or cleaners, moving furniture around when needed, and stepping in to help keep things clean and tidy.
About You
You don’t need a background in education to succeed here—we are looking for reliable tradespeople, handypersons, or DIY enthusiasts who take pride in a job well done. The successful candidate will:
- have solid experience or skills in building maintenance, plumbing, electrics, gardening, or cleaning. A specific trade qualification is a great bonus, but not essential.
- Be energetic, motivated, and completely comfortable working on your own initiative without someone looking over your shoulder.
- Be approachable, friendly, and ready to build good working relationships with school staff and the wider trust team.
- have a sensible approach to health and safety, and you're comfortable following straightforward safety procedures.
- be suitable to work around children and young people (the successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check).
About us
At Downend School we provide a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment that aims to inspire and empower young people to grasp opportunity, reach their potential and excel, develop responsibility and integrity, and respect themselves and others. We have a strong ethos based on our core PRIDE values of participation, respect, identity, determination and excellence. We set standards high and aim to nurture young people who are well equipped to become active and positive members of the school community and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a time of rapid change.
Benefits
- A supportive trust and school community
- Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
- A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
- A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
- Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
- Local Authority Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
- Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
- Family‑friendly leave packages to help maintain a healthy work–life balance
CSET is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our students.
Caretaker in Bristol employer: Downend School
At Downend School, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every team member plays a vital role in creating a safe and welcoming space for our students. As a Caretaker, you will benefit from a strong commitment to professional development, generous family-friendly leave packages, and a values-driven ethos that prioritises diversity and inclusion. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while enjoying a healthy work-life balance and the security of a Local Authority Pension Scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caretaker in Bristol
✨Join Local Trade Associations
Get involved with local trade associations or unions relevant to your field – they often have job boards and networking opportunities. This is a great way for us to get our foot in the door and meet folks who already work in the industry.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your best work, whether that's before-and-after photos of projects or testimonials from past clients. Let’s make your skills visible online and offline, helping potential employers see what you can do!
✨Network at Local Events
Attend local job fairs or trade shows – these are gold mines for making connections in the skilled trades. Speak to the booths and don’t be shy about handing out your CV. We never know who might be looking for part-time help!
✨Utilise Social Media Communities
Join groups on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn that are focused on skilled trades. Engaging with these communities can lead to job opportunities, and sometimes even gigs that aren’t publicly advertised. Let's put ourselves out there and connect!
We think you need these skills to ace Caretaker in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience:In the skilled trades, your on-the-job experience speaks volumes. Make sure to highlight any apprenticeships, relevant projects, or even DIY jobs you've tackled. Specifics about tools you've used or methods you've mastered can really set you apart.
Include Certifications:If you’ve got any trade-specific certifications or licenses, feature them prominently in your CV. These are often essential in our field and show you're serious about your craft. Don't forget to mention any ongoing training too – it shows your commitment to learning!
Express Your Flexibility:Since this is a part-time role, it's crucial to emphasise your availability in your cover letter. Let Downend School know when you can work and that you’re open to different shifts. Being flexible can be a major selling point for part-time positions!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure you customise your CV and cover letter for Caretaker at Downend School. Mention specific skills that align with the job description – whether it's carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work, showing you’ve done your homework makes a great impression.
How to prepare for a job interview at Downend School
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Skills
In the skilled trades, it’s all about showing what you can do! Bring along a portfolio of your previous work – think photos of projects, testimonials from past employers, or even a list of tools you’re comfortable using. This will give a tangible proof of your expertise and show that you’re ready to hit the ground running with Downend School.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect some hands-on questions during your interview. The interviewer might ask you how you’d tackle specific job scenarios. Brush up on techniques and tools relevant to your trade, and think through solutions for common challenges you’ve faced in the past. We want you to demonstrate not only your knowledge but also your problem-solving skills!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since it's a part-time position, it's crucial to emphasise your adaptability. Be ready to discuss how your schedule can fit in with the needs of Downend School. If you’re available for emergencies or extra hours, let them know – this flexibility can set you apart from other candidates who may only want to stick to a strict schedule.
✨Communicate Your Learning Attitude
As a part-time worker, demonstrating your willingness to learn and adapt is key. Share examples of how you've picked up new skills in previous roles or training sessions. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job to fill some time, but that you’re genuinely interested in growing within the skilled trades sector with Downend School.
