Caretaker in Sunderland

Thornhill Academy is seeking a committed, proactive and reliable Caretaker to join our dedicated site team and play a key role in maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our students, staff and visitors. This is an exciting time to join our academy. Following our recent Ofsted judgement of Good and our inclusion in the Department for Education's School Rebuilding Programme, we are on an ambitious journey of improvement and growth, with construction of our new state‑of‑the‑art school due to begin in 2026. As part of Consilium Academies, we are committed to Excellence, Equity and Integrity and are looking for colleagues who share our passion for creating outstanding learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance and upkeep of school buildings and grounds.
• Carry out routine inspections, health and safety checks and record keeping.
• Undertake first‑line repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Open and secure the school site, acting as a keyholder and responding to emergencies when required.
• Support fire safety procedures and compliance requirements.
• Monitor plant, equipment and site services, reporting issues promptly.
• Assist with porterage, furniture moves and room set‑ups.
• Maintain the cleanliness, safety and appearance of the site and grounds.
• Support contractor management and minor works projects.
• Respond to adverse weather conditions, including snow, ice and flooding.
• Promote a safe environment for students, staff and visitors at all times.

Qualifications & Experience

• Has experience working in a caretaking, facilities, maintenance or premises role.
• Has practical skills and experience carrying out basic repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Understands health and safety requirements within a working environment.
• Can work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Is proactive, reliable and takes pride in maintaining high standards.
• Has good communication and organisational skills.
• Is confident using basic ICT systems and online platforms.
• Can work flexibly when required to support the needs of the academy.

Qualifications such as First Aid, PASMA, IWFM, trade qualifications or caretaking certifications are welcomed but not essential. We are keen to hear from candidates who are willing to undertake training and development where required. Please ensure that within your application you provide the names, addresses, and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. We look forward to welcoming a new team member who shares our commitment to excellence in education!

Consilium Academies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are made subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. The Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, the Public Sector fluency duty requires state‑funded schools to ensure candidates for their customer‑facing roles have the necessary standard of spoken English.

Benefits

• Access to high‑quality professional development through our Centre for Professional Learning.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression across the Trust.
• The chance to contribute to an exciting school improvement journey and future redevelopment project.
• A culture built on Excellence, Equity and Integrity.

If you are enthusiastic, practical and committed to providing a safe and well‑maintained environment where young people can thrive, we would love to hear from you.