At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and upgrade plumbing systems in a historic school environment.
- Company: Downside School, a prestigious institution with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and a permanent contract.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and working in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant educational setting while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be Gas Safe registered with relevant plumbing qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are looking to appoint a fully qualified, Gas Safe registered Commercial Plumber and Heating Engineer to join the Works Department at Downside School. The School has a large estate, with complex plumbing infrastructure and a wide range of boilers and systems. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking routine maintenance and advising on how best to improve and upgrade the infrastructure over time. They will provide an efficient and effective response to reactive works and help ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. The successful candidate may be required to work at height and in confined spaces. In addition, they may be required to respond to occasional emergency callouts, which operate on a rota basis.
Key Responsibilities
- Planned and Reactive Maintenance: Undertake routine servicing, statutory safety inspections, fault diagnosis, and reactive repairs on all gas boilers, plant rooms, and ancillary equipment across the estate.
- System Balancing and Optimisation: Manage water distribution, heating loops, and hot water storage systems.
- Water Hygiene Compliance: Maintain and monitor hot and cold water services to prevent water stagnation, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Contractor Liaison: Liaise with and assist in supervising external contractors during major plant overhauls or other work on site.
- Emergency Out-of-Hours: Participate in an on-call emergency response rota to address critical heating or plumbing failures on campus.
Experience & Qualifications (Plumber and Heating Engineer)
Essential
- Gas Safe Qualifications (Commercial): Valid COCN1 (or CODNC01), CIGA1, CORT1, ICPN1, and TPCP1/1A.
- Gas Safe Qualifications (Domestic): Valid CCN1 and CENWAT.
- Plumbing/Hot Water: HWSS (G3 Unvented Hot Water Systems certification).
Desirable
- Experience of working in historic or listed buildings.
- Experience of working in an educational environment, preferably a boarding school.
- Basic electrical competence for safe isolation and boiler control fault‑finding.
Contractual Details
Competitive salary between £40,000 and £45,000 dependent on qualifications & experience. Working Hours are 39 hours per week, Monday-Thursday 8:00‑16:30, Friday 8:00‑15:30 with a 30‑minute unpaid lunch break. Permanent contract, 52 weeks per year with 28 days annual holiday (including bank holidays).
How To Apply
Application forms must be completed in full via our website and must include full employment and education history. Please include contact details of referees to cover the last 5 years; this must include your current and / or most recent employer. Closing date for applications: Wednesday 8th July 2026. This advert may close early if suitable applications are received, therefore an early application is encouraged. Downside School reserve the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date.
Equal Opportunities & DBS Check
Downside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be DBS checked. We strive to be an equal opportunities employer.
Plumber and Heating Engineer employer: The Independent Schools Council
Downside School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professional development and employee well-being. As a Plumber and Heating Engineer, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and the opportunity to work in a historic educational environment, all while contributing to the maintenance of a large estate with complex plumbing systems. The school fosters a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging innovation and growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
The Independent Schools Council Recruitment Team
