Residential Caretaker

About the role

Job Description

Reports to: School Business Manager/ Headteacher
Responsible for:  A team of cleaning staff employed by the school
This position is a split shift of 32.5 hours per week. 6.15 – 9:15 am and 2.45 – 6.15 pm
Purpose of the job:-
To ensure the security, care and availability of the building, furniture, fittings and equipment: to ensure a satisfactory physical environment and to promote the efficient use of the School’s assets to support the objectives of the centre.
Main duties & responsibilities
1 Responsible for ensuring the building and contents are secured. 
2 Provision of access to the building and grounds to authorised persons at all reasonable times. 
3 Maintaining constant awareness of the physical condition of the building, furniture and equipment and taking appropriate steps to ensure maintenance and repairs when necessary
Carry out maintenance and repairs to the building, furniture and equipment within the scope of a competent handyman.
4 Operation of the heating and lighting systems: monitoring usage and promoting energy conservation in the school. 
5 Porterage duties as required and particularly the laying out of furniture and other equipment for timetabled activities without direct instruction.
6 Miscellaneous duties of a practical nature as circumstances demand, or at the reasonable request of the Headteacher / School Business Manager. 
7 Monitoring the standards of cleaning in the building.
8 Where applicable, carrying out cleaning work, generally using machinery, as allocated.
9 a) Plan in conjunction with the School Business Manager / Headteacher and operate routine security arrangements to prevent/deter unauthorised access to the site and buildings and to minimise theft and vandalism.
b) Maintain a register of keys issued on the instructions of the School Business Manager / Headteacher.
c) Requesting unauthorised users of the site to leave; calling for the attendance of the police if necessary (in accordance with agreed guidelines).
d) Specific duties are as follows:
am Turning off alarm systems, unlocking of gates and entrance doors and checking as far as possible that the premises have not been disturbed. Switching on of lights, setting heating system as appropriate and opening of windows as might be required.
pm Walking round premises, setting heating system as appropriate, checking that windows are closed, lights switched off and internal doors locked, as might be required. Locking external doors and gates, setting of alarm system.
10 Providing such access to the school as may reasonably be required outside the normal hours of opening, including access in the event of flood, snow or other similar emergencies.
11 a) Regular inspection of the physical condition of the building, furniture and equipment, excluding the carrying out of specialist tests and inspections.
b) Carrying out maintenance and repairs to the property, fixtures, fittings, equipment and furniture, minor improvement jobs and internal decorating, where such work is within the capabilities of a competent handyperson (within the range of work specified)
c) Drawing the attention of the School Business Manager / Headteacher, by completing the relevant documentation or otherwise, to any repairs or maintenance work which is beyond the competence and responsibility of the staff.
d) Directing trades people and contractors to the site of repair and maintenance work and inspecting the work of contractors where there is requirement to sign satisfaction note.
e) Replacement of light bulbs, fluorescent tubes etc.
f) Carrying out routine procedures and inspection of ancillary equipment, eg: pumps, batteries, window blinds, etc.
g) Ensuring all caretaking and, where applicable cleaning equipment is in a safe clean and working condition.
h) Ensuring that all drains and gullies are free-flowing and clean. Clearing blockages should these occur.
NOTE: The Caretaker’s direct activities are limited to situations where safe access can be obtained and suitable tools are available.
12 a) Operating the heating plant so that the required temperatures are maintained in the premises and that an adequate supply of hot water is available. Carry out frost precaution procedures.
b) Monitoring the usage of energy, including the keeping of records of consumption and the identification of trends.
c) Taking steps to reduce energy consumption and in conjunction with the School Business Manager / Headteacher, promoting the awareness of other staff concerning energy conservation.
13 a) Following the procedures laid down for the monitoring of the operation cost of the building and associated resources.
b) Examine the levels of expenditure indicated by the computer tabulation provided periodically.
c) Identifying areas of excess cost and taking appropriate steps to rectify the situation by direct action where it is possible, or in conjunction with the School Business Manager / Headteacher.
15 a) Preparing for daytime, evening and weekend activities, clearing and (in specific circumstances) cleaning up after these activities, within the normal hours of work, including lettings and community use in these hours.
b) Laying out of furniture for meetings as laid out in weekly diary and movement of these within the school. 
c) Taking delivery of stores, materials and other goods; storing and/or moving them within the school as required. 

16 a) Attending to such duties appertaining to the premises as may occur from time to time
b) Carrying out procedures in the event of fire, flood, breaking and entering, accident or major damage.
c) Ensuring that all hard areas are free from litter and excessive accumulations of dirt and rubbish
d) Emptying of litter baskets and bins, disposal of all rubbish and cleanliness of bin store area.
e) Emergency cleaning in the absence of cleaning staff, eg spillage of paint, vomit, etc.
f) Replenishment of soap, toilet rolls and towels as needed
g) Take appropriate remedial action or report working practices or usage conditions that may contravene the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Fire Precautions Regulations.
h) Dealing with instructions received from the School Business Manager / Headteacher or an authorised representative in accordance with the school’s regulations concerning the letting of the premises and carrying out such duties as may be required.
i) Carrying out the reasonable instructions of the School Business Manager / Headteacher.
17 Making out such work records and other documentation as may be required.
18 Ensuring that the premises and furnishings are cleaned in accordance with the School’s and CCS standards and methods.
19 Attend the Health and Safety Committee meetings with Governors.
20 During quieter times the cleaning work will include any special tasks that become necessary, including the use of step-ladders in accordance with the School’s guidelines and other non –routine cleaning.

Thorndown Primary School fully recognises the responsibility it has under the Education Act 2002 to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Through their day-to-day contact with students and direct work with families, staff at the school have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators that may suggest the child’s physical or emotional well-being is at risk. Staff are expected to pass their concern to one of the 4 child protection officers in school by means of completion of a Logging Concern form.
Child Protection Officers:- 
Head Teacher (also PREVENT lead)
Deputy Head
SENCO
Social Inclusion Officer 

What will you be doing?

The Job Description and Person Specification are available on the Vacancies page of the school website. 
Please be aware that a full Enhanced DBS will be needed for this position.

The interview date is 2 July 2024. 

Contact name for questions on post - Helen Cooper - 01480 375103.

Our benefits

We are looking for a Residential Caretaker to look after our buildings and premises. We are a large 3 Form entry School with 21 classes, Pre-School and Kids Club. Every day is different and the school offers a unique opportunity to practice existing skills as well as learning new ones.
We believe that everyone in our school has a vital role to play and are looking for someone with enthusiasm, practical skills, a willingness to improve skills and flexibility when faced with a variety of jobs. 

Thorndown Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. 

About us

Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes.

Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do.

We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities. If you don’t meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don’t be put off.   We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network 'IDEAL' and self-organised peer support groups help us to foster an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered.  We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor any trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the Hiring Manager, whose details can be found in the advert, to discuss any adjustment needs. Some examples of adjustments could include additional time to complete an assessment or printing a document on pastel coloured paper with larger font size and line spacing. We would value talking about what might be possible to enable you to join us and thrive, so if there is something that would help you to do your best during your journey with us, please get in touch.

Visit our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion. 

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/jobs-and-careers