Estates Operative/Caretaker (late shift)

We are seeking an Estates Operative (working a late shift from 3pm to 10pm) to join our Estates team with responsibility for supporting day-to-day operations in our School. The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co‑educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care, wide‑ranging co‑curricular opportunities, and we offer an education across the age range from Pre‑School to Sixth Form.

Estates Operatives are responsible for supporting the successful day‑to‑day operations of the School. The successful candidate will work as part of a team to enhance the security of the school site, provide support as directed to the school’s busy and varied events programme, and create a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the school community and external visitors. A uniform will be provided.

The Estates Operations Manager has overall responsibility for the Estates Operatives, leading the team on a day‑to‑day basis, reporting directly to the Bursar, whilst supporting all departments and all School outputs.

There is a team of six Estates Operatives, working three shift patterns all year round:

• Two operatives on a 5 day Monday to Friday 3pm to 10pm late shift (including closing the site). 7 hrs/day to include a 30 minute unpaid break (32.5hrs/week).
• Two operatives on a 4 day early shift 5:30am to 3:30pm (Wednesday to Saturday or Sunday to Wednesday, including opening the site). 10hrs/day to include a 30 minute unpaid lunch break (38hrs/week).
• Two operatives on a 4 day shift 8am to 6pm (Wednesday to Saturday or Sunday to Wednesday). 10hrs/day to include 30 minute unpaid lunch break (38hrs/week).

At the weekends, there is no requirement to open the site early, and both shifts will commence at 8am, with a degree of flexibility being required to accommodate external weekend bookings. The shift we are looking to recruit into is the 5 day late shift working 3pm to 10pm (Monday to Friday).

Our Estates Operatives are required to attend all Professional Development Days (INSET) in the school calendar. The start date will be as soon as possible.

Person Specification

• Excellent teamworking skills and the willingness to work as part of a busy team.
• Good communication skills to liaise with and develop positive relationships with all members of the school community and with external visitors to the school.
• A good standard of IT literacy and a willingness to use the school email system.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and Safeguarding (training will be provided).
• Ability to carry loads in accordance with manual handling regulations.
• Ability to direct traffic on the site and guide visitors who arrive by car to appropriate on‑site parking spaces.
• Resourcefulness, with the ability to prioritise workload, and work flexibly to support the varied work of the estates operative team.
• Supportive of the aims and ethos of PGS.
• Willingness to undertake all necessary staff training to include safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, manual handling and any other training considered necessary by the school.
• An understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and working with discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• A driving license is desirable, but not essential, for ease of transport across two sites.

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply using the online application form via MyNewTerm and also linked to our advert on the Work With Us page of our school website. The closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Friday 27th February 2026 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site soon after. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as early applications are welcome, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self‑declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.