Application Pack for the Role of
Assistant Caretaker July 2026 Start Date
CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
Role Overview
Cheam, a wonderful co-educational prep school on the Berkshire/Hampshire border, is looking for an Assistant Caretaker to join our Facilities Management team at Cheam. This is a hands-on, full-time role helping to ensure a safe, secure and tidy site, ideally suited to someone with general handy(wo)man skills and a basic understanding of building maintenance.
The successful candidate will become one of three first-line responders dealing with day-to-day operational needs, as well as supporting delivery of a structured programme of planned preventative maintenance and other minor projects. Team members receive training and development in relevant skills. Larger, specialist or technical works that require specific trade or professional qualifications are contracted out, with the the Cheam team providing onsite liaison and oversight.
Like other team members, the Assistant Caretaker reports to the Facilities Manager, an experienced professional insourced from Cheam’s chosen FM partner, Calber. This innovative arrangement enables an appropriate balance between in-house and contracted-out works, ensuring daily demands can be met in parallel with routine checks and other works required for maintaining regulatory compliance. The Facilities Manager reports directly to the school’s Director of Finance & Operations (DFO).
Cheam is a busy school throughout the year, with a discerning parent body and customer base. During term-time, the team’s shift pattern is designed to ensure maximum support during the school’s core hours as well as sufficient cover throughout the full school day. Shift patterns outside term-time benefit from greater flexibility, provided that routine maintenance and pre-planned project work is completed on time. Like all staff who act as brand ambassadors, the highest standards of professional behaviour are expected at all times.
About Cheam School
Cheam was founded in 1645 and is one of the oldest prep schools in the world. Cheam is an IAPS boarding and day school with over 300 pupils, boys and girls from age 3-13 years. Cheam prides itself on its excellent all-round record academically, musically, artistically and on the sports field and is especially highly regarded for its Character education. The facilities are outstanding. On completing their education at Cheam, children move on to the top Public Schools in England, including Eton, Wellington, Marlborough, Radley, Harrow, Winchester, Bradfield and St. Mary’s, Calne. The school is non-selective yet achieves consistently high standards academically, through an inspirational and dedicated team of teachers.
Cheam School is situated in a stunning rural location ten minutes from Newbury and fifteen minutes from Basingstoke, just off the A339. It is surrounded by smaller towns and villages from which it draws many of its pupils.
CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
Key Responsibilities
Help maintain a safe, secure and tidy site
Wear issued PPE and maintain and use tools and equipment safely and appropriately
Carry out routine caretaking duties, such as opening and securing buildings & checking premises
Perform routine checks to meet regulatory standards (e.g. water temperatures, emergency lighting)
Take regular meter readings to monitor utilities consumption and enable timely reordering
Help manage goods inward and other deliveries safely and efficiently
Support regular testing of the fire alarm and lockdown systems
Report identified hazards, defects or other risk items to the Facilities Manager
Support delivery of the School’s planned preventative maintenance programme
Respond to urgent maintenance issues and triaged maintenance requests including minor repairs
Liaise with, and supervise, contractors working onsite, as required
Support initiatives designed to increase recycling and reduce waste, working in partnership with the Grounds team, Catering team, pupil-led Eco-Committee and the School’s waste contractor
Ensure key equipment and infrastructure remains operational (e.g. clean CCTV camera lenses, replace lightbulbs, clear guttering, unblock drains)
Set up furniture and equipment for key School events in the published termly calendar (e.g. exams, parents evenings, performances, sports day, open days)
Help with the general upkeep and ongoing safe operation of the site (e.g. basic plumbing, furniture repairs, litter picking, lighting open fires, salting paths, managing traffic)
CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
General handy(wo)man skills with a basic understanding of building maintenance
Awareness of health and safety procedures and a commitment to safe working practices
Good team player with a flexible, positive ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to support a wide variety of tasks within a small team. Equally able and comfortable working independently.
Reliable, punctual, courteous and trustworthy
Good organisational skills with the ability to work calmly during periods of intense activity
Basic IT skills to read and send emails. Willingness to learn how to retrieve files and fill in precreated maintenance record files within Excel
Full clean UK driving licence
Good sense of humour
Desirable
Previous experience in a caretaking, maintenance or facilities support role would be beneficial
Previous experience working in a school or educational environment would be beneficial
Familiarity with facilities systems and software (e.g. for logging maintenance requests)
Knowledge of safeguarding procedures within a school setting
Plumbing &/or electrical experience would be beneficial
CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
Hours of Work and Salary
Salary will be competitive, according to experience and qualifications.
This is a full-time non-teaching role, working 40 hours per week during term time and holidays. The mandatory term-time shift pattern is 9.00am-6.00pm Monday to Friday, although as a six-day-a-week School, occasional Saturday and evening work may be required to meet operational requirements. To accommodate this, flexible working arrangements, time-off-in-lieu (TOIL) and overtime are therefore available.
School Holidays and Days Off
Leave entitlement is 20 days paid holiday in each holiday year (between 1 September and 31 August), not including public holidays. Depending on operational requirements, annual leave is normally taken during School holidays. Staff are expected to attend INSET days just before the start of each term and may be required to complete specific training immediately after the end of term.
Benefits
Generous pension scheme.
Professional development, including mentoring and a variety of training opportunities.
School lunches, snacks and refreshments provided during term time.
Use of the school gym and Cheam’s wonderful facilities.
Wellbeing focus with access to physio, counsellors and regular team socials.
Free onsite parking
CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
Working at Cheam
Our staff are Cheam’s greatest asset. From the inspiring and experienced teachers to the efficient and friendly support teams, everyone contributes to the special environment at Cheam. It is the perfect place for staff to thrive and grow. We are looking for a candidate who has confidence, integrity, humility, fun and humour and is happy to give their time, expertise, skill and intellect to making Cheam a great place for children and colleagues. At Cheam, we are not only committed to academic excellence but also to the personal growth and character development of each and every pupil. Staff at Cheam are expected to take an active role in helping children reflect upon and grow their characters, using an initiative, the Cheam Diploma, as a platform to guide and support this process.
“It’s a privilege to work in such a beautiful setting, with a brilliant group of colleagues who make coming to work worthwhile.”
“Having worked in a number of schools, when I found Cheam, it felt the most like home. The team, the amazing site and the positive, can-do attitudes are what makes it a great place to work and live.”
“The feeling of camaraderie amongst the staff and being part of the Cheam team. It’s a very special community.”
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CHEAM | Assistant Caretaker
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the application form and equal opportunities form found on our website at www.cheamschool.co.uk and please include a covering letter. Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications without a completed application form.
Covering letters and application forms should be submitted via email to Kathryn Hathaway, Head of Compliance and HR to hathawayk@cheamschool.co.uk - alternatively you can post your application to the address below.
Key Dates
Closing date for applications: Friday 5 June 2026 at 5pmth
Interviews will be held shortly afterwards.
Start date: July 2026
The school reserves the right to call someone to interview before the application closing date.
Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Cheam School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
We are also committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. If you believe your personal values would fit with the Cheam values and ethos we would love to hear from you. Whatever your background, if you lead by example, show resilience, kindness and seek always to integrate and share, please get in touch.