At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safe, well-maintained facilities for students and staff.
- Company: The Greater Horseshoe School, a caring environment for young people with complex needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a balanced work-life.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and strong knowledge of health and safety regulations.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 42000 £ per year.
Ensure that buildings, grounds and support services are well maintained, compliant and fit for purpose, enabling staff and pupils to work and learn in a safe, well‑managed environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the facilities team, providing day‑to‑day supervision of maintenance, domestic and catering services (as required by service need).
- Ensure all facilities are maintained to a high standard, with effective planned, cyclical and reactive maintenance programmes in place.
- Coordinate and monitor capital and operational expenditure, ensuring value for money and efficient use of resources.
- Plan, prioritise and organise workloads, including on‑call and out‑of‑hours rotas, and participate in the on‑call system.
- Liaise with external contractors to secure and regularly review cost‑effective service contracts.
- Monitor, audit and assure the quality of completed works and projects.
- Ensure full compliance with Health and Safety legislation, including risk assessments, fire safety, COSHH and statutory inspections, maintaining accurate compliance records.
- Provide expert advice and support on health and safety, food hygiene, fire management and building‑related compliance matters.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
- Proven experience leading and managing maintenance projects.
- Experience in costing works, purchasing and effective budget management.
- A good understanding of maintenance, catering and domestic practices, including the safe use and storage of relevant products.
- Full UK driving licence.
About the School
The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school near Newton Abbot in Devon, providing education for young people with complex needs. Set in a peaceful woodland environment and supported by a nearby care farm, we combine academic and vocational programmes with outdoor learning and therapeutic approaches tailored to each pupil’s individual strengths and needs. Our experienced staff work closely with every young person to remove barriers to learning, foster personal and social development, and create a caring, inclusive environment that enables pupils to achieve positive outcomes and build the skills, confidence and resilience needed for their future.
Why Join Us?
- We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people.
- All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance Pension scheme with options to increase contributions.
- Your Wellbeing Matters mental health support and physical health checks.
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits; hundreds of UK and international discounts; Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme; Critical illness cover; Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support (subject to successful probation).
- We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
- We are committed to a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Contract Details
- Location: The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield, TQ12 6RH
- Salary: From £30,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am‑4pm
- Contract: Permanent (52 weeks)
- Start: March 2026
- UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship.
- We believe in better work/life balance and are proud to be part of a 4‑Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay. Many of our schools already have the 4DWW in place, and others will soon join.
About the Role
The Facilities Manager is responsible for delivering a high‑quality, safe and efficient facilities service across the three sites at The Greater Horseshoe School.
Facilities Manager employer: FirstGroup plc
Contact Detail:
FirstGroup plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Facilities Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who know about facilities management. A friendly chat can lead to insider info on job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! Attend local job fairs or industry events related to facilities management. It's a great way to meet potential employers face-to-face and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a school or organisation that interests you, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly and express your interest in working with them. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team at The Greater Horseshoe School.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Facilities Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing maintenance projects and your knowledge of Health and Safety regulations, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and manage teams effectively. Share examples of how you've supervised maintenance or catering services in the past, and how you ensured high standards were met.
Be Clear on Compliance: Since compliance is crucial for this role, make sure to mention your familiarity with health and safety legislation and any relevant certifications. This will show us that you take safety seriously.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at FirstGroup plc
✨Know Your Health and Safety Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Health and Safety regulations before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles, especially in relation to maintenance and compliance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and managing teams. Think about specific situations where you successfully supervised maintenance or catering services, and be ready to share how you motivated your team.
✨Budget Management is Key
Be prepared to talk about your experience with budgeting and cost management. Have examples ready that demonstrate how you've effectively managed operational expenditure and ensured value for money in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've had to plan, prioritise, and organise workloads under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you handled on-call situations or unexpected challenges, showcasing your ability to think on your feet.