At a Glance
- Tasks: Support cleaning and hygiene services in a specialist school environment.
- Company: Swalcliffe Park School, dedicated to supporting boys with autism.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and free meals on shift.
- Other info: Full-time, permanent position with excellent team collaboration and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a rewarding role within education and residential care.
- Qualifications: Experience in cleaning or housekeeping and a strong attention to detail.
Join Swalcliffe Park School as a Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant supporting cleaning, housekeeping and hygiene services within a specialist Day and Residential school and education setting. Ideal for candidates with cleaning operative, domestic cleaning or facilities experience.
SALARY: £25,185 per annum / £12.91 per Hour + Benefits (2026-27 pay award pending)
LOCATION: Swalcliffe, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
WORKING HOURS: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 06:30 – 14:30, whole year round
JOB OVERVIEW
We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant to join the housekeeping team at Swalcliffe Park School, a specialist day and residential school for boys with autism. As the Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant you will support cleaning, housekeeping and hygiene standards across residential houses, classrooms, offices and communal facilities within the education setting. Duties include domestic cleaning, laundry, mopping floors, washing up and maintaining safe, clean and welcoming environments.
The successful Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant will be reliable, adaptable and able to work effectively within a team while following safeguarding, health and safety and cleaning procedures. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with previous experience as a cleaner, school cleaner, domestic assistant, housekeeping assistant, cleaning operative or facilities cleaner looking for a rewarding role within education and residential care services.
DUTIES
- Cleaning Residential Houses and School Facilities: Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout residential and education areas
- Cleaning Bedrooms Bathrooms and Communal Areas: Ensuring bedrooms, toilets, showers and shared spaces are clean, tidy and well presented
- Making Beds and Tidying Rooms: Supporting housekeeping duties within residential boarding accommodation
- Mopping and Polishing Floors: Keeping flooring areas safe, clean and maintained to high standards
- Washing Up and Laundry Duties: Assisting with occasional washing, ironing and other domestic support tasks
- Supporting Whole School Events: Providing additional support during Family Days, the Christmas Show and other school activities
- Following Health and Safety Procedures: Working safely and complying with safeguarding and hygiene regulations
- Working as Part of a Team: Collaborating with colleagues to complete cleaning schedules and daily duties efficiently
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- Previous experience in cleaning, housekeeping, domestic support, facilities services or school cleaning environments
- Good understanding of hygiene, cleaning procedures and health and safety requirements
- Reliable, flexible and adaptable approach to work
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards
- Ability to work to designated timescales and follow instructions
- GCSE standard of education or equivalent
- Experience working as part of a team within a cleaning or housekeeping environment
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities within education or residential settings
- Ability to undertake the physical duties of the role using appropriate equipment and aids
- Own transport is required due to the location of the school
BENEFITS
- 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Pension scheme: NEST
- Uniform provided
- Free meal provided whilst on shift
- Sickness entitlement following successful completion of probation
- Full-time permanent opportunity
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake an enhanced disclosure and other Safer Recruitment Checks in compliance with KCSIE 2025. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant employer: Swalcliffe Park School
Contact Detail:
Swalcliffe Park School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Swalcliffe Park School and understand its values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or other platforms. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to cleaning and housekeeping. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role at Swalcliffe Park School. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're filling out your application, make sure to highlight any previous cleaning or housekeeping roles you've had. We want to see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see why you'd be a great fit for our team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Cleaner / Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant. Mention relevant duties from the job description that you’ve done before, so we know you’re the right person for the job!
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’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Swalcliffe Park School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swalcliffe Park School
✨Know Your Cleaning Procedures
Familiarise yourself with common cleaning procedures and hygiene standards. Be ready to discuss your previous experience in maintaining cleanliness and safety, especially in environments like schools or residential settings.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in past roles to complete cleaning schedules or tackle larger tasks together.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
Prepare to demonstrate your strong attention to detail. You might be asked about specific cleaning tasks, so think of instances where your meticulousness made a difference in the cleanliness or safety of an environment.
✨Understand Safeguarding Responsibilities
Since this role involves working in an educational setting, it's crucial to understand safeguarding responsibilities. Brush up on what safeguarding means in a school context and be prepared to discuss how you would uphold these standards.