At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our school clean, safe, and secure while supporting students' needs.
- Company: Join Polaris Education, a community dedicated to improving young lives for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, a pension scheme, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a nurturing environment that values every childβs growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in property maintenance, good DIY skills, and a UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Enhanced DBS check required; costs covered by Polaris.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 29000 Β£ per year.
Contract: Full Time – 37.5 hours per week
Location: Northwich, Cheshire
Benefits: 30 days Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days\’ with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Medical Cash
Are you ready to join a supportive and nurturing community that works together to achieve the very best outcomes for its pupils? If so, our new school in Ipswich could be the perfect place for you to develop your career and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
About the School
Located in Northwich, our School has a proposed capacity of up to 100 pupils and offers safe and supportive environments for pupils from 5 to 18 years old with a range of complex needs. We believe in fostering a positive and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our commitment to a holistic approach ensures that academic progress is complemented by emotional well-being and personal growth.
Tamworth School will form part of the Polaris Community alongside our current growing portfolio of school across the UK, which are all rated by Ofsted Good or Outstanding. The Polaris Community have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years.
Role responsibilities
- Maintaining clean, safe and secure school premises, which includes building and grounds;
- Carrying out cleaning, handy person activities, routine maintenance and refurbishment, porterage, and minor repairs;
- Some supervision of school cleaning staff;
- Promoting health and safety around the school
- Carry out porterage duties, such as moving furniture and equipment around the school
- Maintain the general school premises, furniture and fittings, and reporting any issues to the Head Teacher
- Carry out small repairs and DIY projects
- Arrange larger repairs and obtain quotes from contractors
- Carry out daily cleaning and ad-hoc duties, such as litter picking and arranging the disposal of waste
- Carry out emergency cleaning duties, such as gritting and cleaning up spillages
- Arrange an annual deep clean of classrooms, staffrooms, kitchen, dining areas, food tech areas and other frequently used spaces on school premises
- Take responsibility of the maintenance of cleaning tools and products, including arranging replacements and ensuring good stock levels
- Maintain the security of the school premises as the main key holder
- Lock and unlock the premises as required, including out of schools hours when necessary
- Check at the end of the school day that all windows, doors and gates are locked, lights switched off, and gas and electrical appliances are turned off
- Set security alarm systems, report any potential security breaches, and respond to any alarms or other call outs following agreed procedures
- Carry out regular checks of CCTV and alarm systems, locks, fire safety appliances, security gates and perimeter fencing, and ensure any necessary repairs are actioned
- Advise the Head Teacher on all matters relating to school security and safety Ensure a safe working and learning environment in accordance with relevant legislation
- Carry out and record regular health and safety checks, including on legionella risk, play equipment, safety equipment, and any hazards on school premises, report any problems to the Head Teacher
- Provide safe access to the school in cold weather conditions
Requirements
- Previous property maintenance/caretaking experience within a school environment preferred
- Previous experience of building maintenance
- Previous experience of security including alarm systems
- Good knowledge and understanding of health and safety regulations
- Basic DIY Skills
- Good Interpersonal skills to protect the school\’s interests in dealing with contractors and other visitors to the site
- Good literacy and numeracy skills
- Ability to work in an environment with SEMH children
- Must be willing to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check prior to commencing work. Any costs incurred will be met by ISP.
- Must have a UK Driving License and own transport
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by Polaris.
Polaris is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment
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School Caretaker employer: Polaris Community
Contact Detail:
Polaris Community Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land School Caretaker
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of SEMH children. Understanding their requirements will not only help you in your role but also show your commitment to creating a supportive environment.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former caretakers in educational settings. They can provide valuable insights into the role and may even share tips on how to stand out during the hiring process.
β¨Tip Number 3
Research the Polaris Community and its values. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during an interview can make a strong impression.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with health and safety regulations. Highlighting your knowledge in this area will demonstrate your readiness to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.
We think you need these skills to ace School Caretaker
Some tips for your application π«‘
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the School Caretaker position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in property maintenance, security, and working with children.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous caretaking or property maintenance experience, especially within a school environment. Mention specific tasks you have performed that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your basic DIY skills and knowledge of health and safety regulations in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed similar tasks in past roles, such as maintaining security systems or conducting health and safety checks.
Personalise Your Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that reflects your passion for creating a safe and supportive environment for children. Mention why you are interested in joining Polaris Education and how you can contribute to their mission of improving the lives of young people.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
β¨Show Your Commitment to Safety
Emphasise your understanding of health and safety regulations during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure a safe environment for both staff and students, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
β¨Demonstrate Your DIY Skills
Be ready to talk about your previous experience with maintenance and repairs. Share specific examples of DIY projects you've completed, as this will showcase your practical skills and ability to handle minor repairs effectively.
β¨Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills
Since you'll be interacting with contractors and school staff, it's important to convey your good interpersonal skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated or resolved issues in past roles.
β¨Understand the School's Values
Research Polaris Education and their commitment to fostering a supportive environment for children with complex needs. Being able to articulate how your values align with theirs will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the school community.