At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our school running smoothly by ensuring safety, security, and maintenance.
- Company: Join St James Schools, a vibrant community dedicated to education.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience while making a real difference in students' lives.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth in a supportive school setting.
- Why this job: Be a key player in creating a welcoming environment for pupils and staff.
- Qualifications: Practical maintenance experience and a positive, can-do attitude.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35892 £ per year.
St James Schools is looking for a practical, reliable and proactive Senior Estates Officer to help keep our Kensington Olympia site safe, secure, well‑maintained and ready for every school day. This is not a “stand in the background” role. You will be part of the team that makes the school work: opening and securing the site, spotting and fixing problems, setting up for events, supporting compliance checks, liaising with contractors, helping supervise caretaking or cleaning staff, and stepping up for the Estates Manager when needed. We need someone hands‑on, calm under pressure and proud of high standards. You will be just as comfortable carrying out minor repairs and site checks as you are speaking courteously with pupils, parents, staff, visitors and contractors.
What you’ll be doing
- Safe — carrying out checks, spotting hazards, supporting fire safety, water hygiene, risk assessments and statutory compliance.
- Secure — acting as a key‑holder, supporting opening and closing, responding to urgent site issues and helping manage access for visitors and contractors.
- Well maintained — handling routine maintenance, minor repairs, porterage, room set‑ups, event preparation and site presentation.
- Well run — supporting records, maintenance requests, contractor supervision, handovers and day‑to‑day operational priorities.
- Welcoming — helping contribute towards a calm, respectful and well‑presented environment for the whole school community.
About you
You will bring practical maintenance experience, good judgement, stamina, initiative and a can‑do approach. You do not need to be an expert in all of the trades, but you do need to take pride in your work, and care about doing things properly. Experience of working in a school, college or similar setting would be useful, as would trade experience, health and safety training, fire marshal training, asbestos or legionella awareness, or experience supervising staff or contractors. Above all, you will be dependable, positive, approachable and committed to working in a school environment where safeguarding, professionalism and respect matter every day. Because this is a role where your work is seen, valued and genuinely matters. You will help shape the daily experience of pupils, staff and visitors, while developing your skills in estates, facilities, compliance and site leadership.
St James Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a barred list check.
Ready to make a school site work at its best? Apply now to become our next Senior Caretaker.
Be the person who keeps a school running brilliantly - Senior Estates Officer employer: St James Schools
St James Schools is an exceptional employer that values hands-on contributions and fosters a supportive work culture. Located in the vibrant Kensington Olympia area, we offer our Senior Estates Officer not only a chance to make a tangible impact on the school environment but also opportunities for professional growth and development in facilities management. With a commitment to high standards and a focus on safeguarding, you will be part of a dedicated team that ensures a safe, secure, and welcoming atmosphere for our school community.
