At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safety and security for pupils, staff, and visitors at Westminster School.
- Company: Join a prestigious school with a strong commitment to safety and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, a generous pension scheme, and access to leisure facilities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and opportunities for training and career growth await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a vibrant school environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills and knowledge of health and safety practices are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 31000 £ per year.
Required for: as soon as possible
Location: Deans Yard - Westminster School
Contract: full-time, permanent
Hours of work: 40 hours per week
Salary: £30,975 per annum
Benefits include:
- free School meals whilst on duty
- a generous School pension scheme
- free access to the School’s leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours)
- access to the School’s Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period
The closing date for this role is midday on Wednesday 12th November 2025. Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.
We are seeking a professional and customer-focused Security and Fire Officer to join our Security Team. We are looking for someone who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with strong situational awareness and the ability to respond calmly and efficiently in emergencies. The role will assist in ensuring a safe, secure environment for our pupils, staff, and visitors.
Responsibilities will include:
- conducting routine checks
- logging incidents
- escorting visitors as required
Security experience would be advantageous, and a good working knowledge of health and safety practices is essential. The ideal candidate will be friendly, approachable, and possess excellent customer service and communication skills.
The role is full-time and will require flexibility to work shifts between 07.00am to 11.00pm, Monday to Friday and 07.00am to 07.00pm on Saturdays, as well as attending key School events. Full-time hours are 40 per week working for 52 weeks of the year.
Working as part of the Site Services team, the role will include:
- Maintaining the security of the school premises and its contents
- Patrolling buildings within the Estate
- Following procedures to enable access to buildings as required throughout the year, and ensure that all buildings are secured each night
- Monitoring alarms and CCTV
- Reporting security & fire incidents through the Incident Reporting System and to the Security and Fire Manager
- Communicating with the team in a daily log
- Controlling the allocation of keys through maintaining a daily log
- Assisting Reception in the greeting and receiving of visitors and contractors
- Being ready to escort visitors or contractors on site
- Understanding how to use the Access Control System to provide appropriate access rights for members of the school community
- Monitoring and (as directed) controlling those entering and leaving Little Dean’s Yard including the use of gates and signage as and when required
- Assisting with school events as required
- Working with security from Westminster Abbey to ensure an effective working relationship with others who share the site
- Testing and inspecting manual fire call points & inspecting portable firefighting equipment
- Delivering letters and parcels to the Post Room or as required
- Maintaining appropriate conduct and demeanour and be correctly dressed at all times
- Undertaking suitable training to enable the tasks and duties required to carry out the job
- Carrying out other tasks, as may be instructed by the Security and Fire Manager, Head of Site Services, Director of Estates or other senior members of the School Management
Please note this job description is not exhaustive. Any significant and permanent amendments to the document will be made after consultation with the job holder.
Security and Fire Officer (full-time, permanent) employer: The Independent Schools Council
At Westminster School, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where our employees can thrive. As a Security and Fire Officer, you will benefit from a generous pension scheme, free meals during your shifts, and access to our leisure facilities, all while contributing to the safety of our vibrant school community. With opportunities for professional development and a commitment to employee well-being, Westminster School is an excellent employer for those seeking a meaningful career in security and safety.
Contact Details:
The Independent Schools Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Security and Fire Officer (full-time, permanent)
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We think you need these skills to ace Security and Fire Officer (full-time, permanent)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Certifications:When applying for a full-time position in security services, make sure to showcase any relevant certifications you have, like SIA or other security industry qualifications. This adds credibility and shows that you're serious about your career in this field.
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In security roles, attention to detail is crucial. Use your CV and cover letter to provide examples of how you’ve noticed and addressed security vulnerabilities or hazards in past jobs. This will help us see your proactive approach to ensuring safety.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list duties from previous jobs; instead, frame your experiences in a way that relates directly to the role at The Independent Schools Council. Whether that's managing a team, conducting risk assessments, or successfully maintaining safety protocols, make this relevant to what we do.
Share Your Availability and Flexibility:Full-time roles often require a degree of flexibility. Make sure to clearly state your availability in your application, especially if you can work various shifts. This shows us your readiness to adapt to the needs of the role at The Independent Schools Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent Schools Council
✨Know Your Security Protocols
In the security services field, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the latest security protocols and technologies. Brush up on things like surveillance systems, access control, and emergency response procedures. You'll likely face technical questions, so having a couple of solid scenarios or case studies ready can really impress your interviewers at The Independent Schools Council.
✨Demonstrate Situational Awareness
Prepare to showcase your situational awareness skills. You might be put in hypothetical scenarios where you need to assess potential risks or respond to incidents. Practising how you’d handle these situations ahead of time can give you the confidence to articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork & Communication
Since security services often rely on effective teamwork and clear communication, be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any instances where you’ve had to relay critical information or work closely with other services – this is key for a role at The Independent Schools Council.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
You can expect a variety of behavioural interview questions focusing on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Sharing specific examples from previous security roles or related jobs will help demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and reliability to the team at The Independent Schools Council.
