At a Glance
- Tasks: Support site maintenance, security, and daily operations in a vibrant school environment.
- Company: A community-focused secondary academy in Southwark, dedicated to academic excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive team culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in a rapidly modernising area with excellent transport links.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a school while developing practical skills and community connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in caretaking or facilities support, with hands-on DIY skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
We require a proactive, dependable, and highly practical School Caretaker to support the comprehensive site maintenance, security, and day-to-day operational logistics of our school campus. Operating within an ambitious secondary academy in the heart of South London, the successful candidate will work closely with the facilities team to execute reactive repairs, manage porterage routines, conduct statutory safety checks, and maintain a pristine internal and external environment, ensuring the school remains safe, clean, and fully operational for all pupils, staff, and visitors.
Our academy operates as a proud, community-focused secondary provider dedicated to raising academic standards, celebrating its rich inner-London diversity, and serving a vibrant metropolitan borough. The campus features multi-story educational blocks, specialist practical subject rooms, and community sports facilities that see intensive daily use. Our leadership team places immense value on the site team's contribution to school culture, maintaining a supportive, professional working environment where outstanding facilities management is recognized as a cornerstone of student safety and pride.
KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS
- Site Security & Keyholder Duties: Undertake daily lock-up and unlocking routines for the school gates and buildings, ensuring all windows, doors, and fire exits are secure. Respond flexibly to automated alarm activations and support out-of-hours security workflows.
- Reactive & Preventative Maintenance: Carry out essential first-line maintenance tasks, including minor plumbing unblocks, carpentry repairs, light bulb replacements, flat-pack furniture assembly, and localized painting or decorating to keep the fabric of the building immaculate.
- Routine Compliance & Health & Safety Checks: Conduct and accurately log weekly statutory compliance tests, including fire alarm testing, water temperature monitoring for legionella control, visual playground equipment checks, and emergency lighting inspections.
- Logistics, Porterage & Cleanliness: Manage heavy-duty porterage across the campus, setting up halls for examinations, school assemblies, and parents' evenings. Oversee external ground clearance, refuse rotation, and emergency cleaning responses to ensure absolute hygiene and curb appeal.
- Lettings & Community Support: Assist with the smooth operational delivery of evening and weekend community lettings, welcoming external groups, monitoring site safety during events, and ensuring facilities are cleaned and re-secured ready for the next school day.
PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
- Experience & Skills: Proven experience in a caretaking, facilities support, building maintenance, or skilled trade role, ideally within an educational or high-volume public sector environment. A practical, hands-on mastery of basic DIY hand tools is essential.
- Operational Precision: Literacy in following health and safety protocols, including the safe handling of chemicals under COSHH guidelines and working at heights. Ability to manage a varied daily workload using digital site-logging applications.
- Reliable & Community-Minded Ethos: A punctual, trustworthy, and adaptable approach to work, possessing the positive communication skills and professional boundaries necessary to operate effectively around young people and work collaboratively within a diverse school community.
REGIONAL CONTEXT
Based in the historically rich and rapidly modernizing borough of Southwark, the school capitalizes on a world-class Central London identity that stretches from the Thames South Bank down to Peckham and Camberwell. The area's striking blend of historic civic architecture and pioneering, eco-friendly new developments provides an inspiring backdrop, challenging the site team to maintain high standards of environmental efficiency, urban waste-management compliance, and smart city campus operations.
The campus benefits from premium Transport for London (TfL) infrastructure, making it exceptionally accessible from all corners of London. Public transit links operate flawlessly across the borough, utilizing extensive London Bus corridors alongside dense rail networks, with major transport hubs including London Bridge, Elephant & Castle, and Canada Water providing high-frequency access to the Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line, and London Overground networks.
Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.
School Caretaker | Highly Regarded School | Southwark in London employer: Marchant Recruitment
Join our highly regarded school in Southwark as a School Caretaker, where you will be part of a community-focused team dedicated to maintaining a safe and pristine environment for our diverse student body. We offer a supportive work culture that values your contributions, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a vibrant educational setting. With excellent transport links and a commitment to environmental efficiency, this role not only provides meaningful work but also allows you to thrive in a dynamic urban landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Caretaker | Highly Regarded School | Southwark in London
✨Join Local Community Boards
Get involved in local community boards or forums related to janitorial services. You'll find job postings and connect with businesses in your area, which can really bolster your chances of landing that full-time gig at places like Marchant Recruitment.
✨Network with Industry Pros
Don't underestimate the power of networking! Attend industry-specific events or workshops in your locality. Chatting with people already in the field can lead you to hidden job opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a simple portfolio that outlines your experience and specific skills in janitorial services. You can showcase before-and-after photos of your work or even testimonials from past employers. This can help you stand out when applying at places like Marchant Recruitment.
✨Apply Directly and Keep it Local
When you see a full-time position that sparks your interest, don’t just apply online. If you can, walk into the company, like Marchant Recruitment, with a smile and express your eagerness to contribute. Nothing beats meeting face-to-face and making that personal connection!
We think you need these skills to ace School Caretaker | Highly Regarded School | Southwark in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:When showcasing your experience, focus on any previous roles in janitorial or cleaning services. Include specifics like the types of environments you've worked in – be it offices, schools, or hospitals – and mention any cleaning techniques or equipment you're familiar with. This will show Marchant Recruitment that you’ve got the practical skills needed for the job!
Certifications Matter:If you have any certifications related to cleaning, health and safety, or equipment handling, make sure to include them in your CV. These can really set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety in your approach, which is crucial in the janitorial industry.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should explain why you’re interested in working with Marchant Recruitment specifically. Talk about what excites you about the role and how you align with their values. Maybe you love maintaining cleanliness and creating a welcoming environment; let that shine through!
Get Your Availability Clear:Since this is a full-time position, be sure to mention your availability at the beginning of your application. Marchant Recruitment will want to know that you can commit to the hours required, so throwing in your ideal working times can help ease any worry about schedule conflicts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marchant Recruitment
✨Know Your Cleaning Techniques
Brush up on various cleaning techniques and equipment you're familiar with. Be ready to highlight specific experiences where you've tackled challenging cleaning situations. This could give the hiring team at Marchant Recruitment a glimpse of your hands-on skills!
✨Safety First!
Make sure you're up-to-date on health and safety regulations relevant to janitorial work. We can expect some questions about how you handle hazardous materials or ensure hygiene—demonstrating knowledge here shows you're serious about your job and safety at Marchant Recruitment.
✨Flexibility is Key
As this is a full-time role, be prepared to discuss your flexibility regarding shifts and potential overtime. Employers love to see candidates who are adaptable to changing schedules, so share experiences that highlight your commitment and reliability.
✨Present Your Experience!
If you have a portfolio or references from previous jobs in cleaning services, bring them along or have them ready to share. This can strengthen your case at Marchant Recruitment, showcasing your work ethic and the quality of your previous roles in janitorial services.
