At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain school grounds and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for students and staff.
- Company: Join the vibrant Oxford High School, a leader in girls' education for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, generous pension, and free school lunches.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal growth and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a supportive community while enjoying a variety of tasks.
- Qualifications: Practical maintenance and gardening experience, with good communication and teamwork skills.
The predicted salary is between 27171 - 27171 € per year.
Required: June 2026
Contract Term: Permanent
Competitive Salary plus benefits: £27,171.00
Working Pattern: Full time, all year round, 36 hour week, working five days out of the seven. There will be a requirement to work early, late and occasional weekend shifts. Hours will vary due to lettings and events and may include week and weekend days. Please be aware that a degree of flexibility with your working arrangements is required to meet the needs of the busy school calendar.
Oxford High School is seeking a reliable, proactive and hardworking Caretaker/Gardener to help maintain our school premises and grounds to a high standard. This role is essential in ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.
Key Responsibilities
- Site & Security: Assist in the security of the school premises, including locking/unlocking buildings and monitoring alarms and surveillance systems. Ensure external areas, gym and swimming pool are secure when not in use. Support the maintenance of access systems, locks and keys.
- Premises Maintenance: Carry out general repairs and maintenance to buildings, furniture and equipment. Support planned preventative maintenance and respond promptly to emergency repairs. Assist with monitoring heating, lighting, water systems, fire alarms and other site services. Help maintain records relating to safety checks and inspections.
- Grounds & Gardening: Maintain landscaped areas, lawns, hedges, planted areas and sports fields across all school sites. Carry out mowing, pruning, planting, watering, weeding and seasonal garden maintenance. Keep school grounds free from litter and vegetation debris. Maintain gardening equipment and report faulty tools or machinery. Assist in designing and developing attractive planting schemes.
- Health & Safety: Follow all health and safety procedures and risk assessments. Assist with fire safety checks, evacuation procedures and site safety routines. Support waste management and site cleanliness. Provide emergency first aid if qualified.
- General Duties: Assist with porterage, deliveries and room setups for school events. Support school functions, lettings and open days when required. Maintain positive working relationships with staff, pupils, parents and contractors. Opportunity to assist with minibus driving following appropriate training.
About You
The successful candidate will:
- Have practical maintenance and gardening experience.
- Be organised, dependable and able to work independently.
- Take pride in maintaining high standards across the school environment.
- Have good communication and teamwork skills.
- Be flexible to support occasional evening or weekend requirements.
- Hold a driving licence (desirable).
About Oxford High School:
Since its foundation over 150 years ago in the heart of Oxford's historic city centre, Oxford High School GDST has been innovative and pioneering in its approach to girls' education. Today, Oxford High School is a happy and vibrant place to work. As well as our commitment to girls' education, we are committed to investing in our staff's personal development through training and learning initiatives and via the Girls Day School Trust network.
Benefits:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- Generous pension schemes
- Free life assurance benefit
- Free school lunches
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
For further details and to apply please click on the apply button.
Closing date: 23:59 Tuesday 2nd June 2026. We encourage early applications and reserve the right to interview candidates as applications are received; please note that the vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is found.
Oxford High School and the GDST are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening and online checks appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Caretaker / Gardener in Banbury employer: Oxford High School
Oxford High School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work environment that prioritises the personal and professional development of its staff. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to maintaining high standards in education, employees can thrive while contributing to a safe and welcoming atmosphere for students and the community. The school's rich history and dedication to girls' education make it a meaningful place to work, with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration within the Girls Day School Trust network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caretaker / Gardener in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Oxford High School and its values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since this role involves hands-on work, be ready to demonstrate your gardening and maintenance skills. Practise common tasks so you can impress during any practical tests.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your flexibility! Highlight your willingness to work varied hours, including weekends and evenings. This is key for a role that supports a busy school calendar, so make sure they know you're up for it!
We think you need these skills to ace Caretaker / Gardener in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight any practical maintenance and gardening experience you have. We want to see how your skills can help us maintain our school grounds and keep everything looking top-notch!
Be Organised and Dependable:We’re looking for someone who is organised and can work independently. In your application, share examples of how you've managed tasks or projects on your own. This will show us that you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
Flexibility is Key:Since the job requires some evening and weekend work, it’s a good idea to mention your flexibility in your application. Let us know if you’re open to working varied hours to meet the needs of our busy school calendar.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford High School
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your practical maintenance and gardening skills. Be ready to discuss specific tasks you've handled in the past, like repairs or garden maintenance, and how you ensured a safe environment.
✨Show Your Flexibility
Since the role requires flexibility with working hours, be prepared to talk about your availability. Share examples of how you've adapted to changing schedules or worked outside of typical hours in previous jobs.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Communication
This position involves working closely with staff, students, and parents. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others or communicated effectively to resolve issues, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Safety
Health and safety are crucial in this role. Familiarise yourself with relevant procedures and be ready to discuss how you've implemented safety measures in past positions, ensuring a secure environment for everyone.
