Director of Estates

BRIEF FOR THE POSITION OF

DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

WOLDINGHAM SCHOOL

FEBRUARY 2026

CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

The school

Set in hundreds of acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, just 30 minutes by train from central
London, Woldingham is one of the UK’s leading day and boarding schools for girls aged 11-18.

Woldingham is a Catholic school
that warmly welcomes girls of
all faiths and none. Founded by
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat in
1842 as the first Sacred Heart
school in England, we are proud
that Woldingham was a pioneer of
women’s education. As part of the
Sacred Heart network which has
schools in 40 countries around the
world, our school is underpinned
by a set of shared values, based
on the Sacred Heart goals which
emphasise faith, social awareness,
community, intellectual values
and personal growth. Our learning
philosophy and strong ethos
produces courageous, confident and
compassionate young women.
Our students achieve outstanding
GCSE and A Level results.
Indeed, Woldingham is in the top
10% of schools in the country for
added value. Most students leave
Woldingham to take up university

places at prestigious institutions in
the UK and overseas, with around
75% going to Oxbridge and other
Russell Group universities. In recent
years some of the most popular
UK universities for students have
included Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh
and Exeter. Woldingham students
have also recently taken up places
at a range of universities overseas
including Dartmouth, NYU and
Cornell.
We place great emphasis on
learning outside the classroom.
Our exceptional extra-curricular
programme of sport, clubs,
performing arts and outreach into
our local community enables our
students to develop a wonderful
range of skills, expertise and
interests, alongside high-level
academic achievement.
Every Woldingham girl is unique.
Our aim is to understand them as
individuals and ensure that they feel

known, nurtured and supported.
The school’s THRIVE programme
promotes emotional wellbeing and
enables every student to develop a
growth mindset, resilience and self-
worth to enjoy success as well as
learn from setbacks.
We are a boarding and a day
school. Around 50% of students
board on a full, weekly or flexi basis.
Roughly 35% of our students live
locally, 40% come from London and
25% are from overseas. Indeed, our
girls come from over 35 different
countries dotted around the world;
the school’s internationalism and the
diversity of our community is very
important to us.
Given the above, it is perhaps
unsurprising that Woldingham has
become an increasingly popular
choice for parents and students,
with more than 530 students
currently enrolled at the school.

woldinghamschool.co.uk

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CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

The role

The Director of Estates is responsible for managing, maintaining, and developing the infrastructure of
the School’s facilities including boarding houses, academic buildings, sports facilities, and residential
accommodation. In close conjunction with the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), they have a
primary role in managing capital developments, working with the School’s architects and other appointed
consultants and contractors, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with plans, timelines,
and budgets.

He/she is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all aspects of health and safety legislation relating
to the School’s buildings including fire, asbestos, legionella, and statutory inspections. Additionally,
responsibilities include all aspects of occupational health and safety.

Other areas of responsibility include managing the grounds department and maintaining strong relationships
with tenant farmers and other neighbouring properties; the functions of the caretaking and domestic services
teams; and the school transport service.

The jobholder is also responsible for the effective management of the budgets for the above, which account
for a sizeable proportion of the school’s overall cost base and delivering effective value for money within that.

The Director of Estates manages members of staff in the maintenance, grounds, caretaking, domestic
services and transport departments and relevant contractors.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acting as the primary liaison officer

Capital Projects
• Supporting the DFO with the

development and implementation
of the strategy for capital projects.

• Preparing plans for minor and

major improvements, extensions,
or new construction via the
appointment of architects,
designers etc. where appropriate.

• Obtaining planning permission,

building control and fire authority
approval.

for the School in the execution
of such projects, determining and
detailing the client’s requirements
and coordinating arrangements
for the work to be completed.

Buildings
Line Manager to the Estates
Manager, responsible for the
planning and delivery of a
comprehensive planned and
preventative maintenance
programme across the campus,

woldinghamschool.co.uk

ensuring all buildings, services and
systems are safe, compliant and fit
for purpose. Overseeing heating,
electrical, fire safety and building
management systems, including
servicing, statutory compliance
and emergency resilience.
Commissioning condition and
structural surveys, managing fit-out
of new and refurbished facilities,
and oversees infrastructure and
estates contracts. Ensuring effective
emergency repair arrangements
and preparedness of all building-
related elements of the School’s
Emergency Plan.

Environmental Sustainability
• Chairing, establishing and
managing a sustainability
committee.

• Developing long term plans
to reduce carbon emissions
from buildings.

• Leading on carbon reduction
initiatives within the school
building infrastructure,
incorporating relevant technologies
as appropriate including for
heating and lighting.

• Ensuring that environmental
sustainability is considered
within the planning of all building
projects.

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CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

Health & Safety
• Chairing and managing the Health
  & Safety Committee, ensuring
  meetings are planned,
  documented and actions are
  completed in a timely manner,
  and reporting directly to the
  DFO and Head as required.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge
  of all relevant Health & Safety
  legislation, standards, and best
  practice (including DfE, HSE
  and sector-specific guidance),
  ensuring the School’s policies
  and procedures reflect current
  legal requirements.
• Managing all aspects of
  occupational Health & Safety
  across the site, including safety
  culture, accident investigation,
  near-miss reporting, staff training,
  induction, and ongoing compliance
  monitoring.
• Leading on the production,
  implementation and periodic
  review of suitable and sufficient
  risk assessments for all activities
  across the School site, ensuring
  departmental risk assessments
  are consistent, current and
  effectively communicated.

• Providing oversight and
  governance of higher-risk
  operational and curriculum
  departments, including: Laboratory
  Sciences, Design & Technology
  Workshops, Sport and PE,
  Maintenance and Estates
  Grounds, Cookery, and off-site
  visits/activities. Ensuring safe
  systems of work, staff
  competencies and control
  measures are in place and
  monitored
• Taking responsibility for all building
  related health and safety mattes
  including water safety, electrical
  safety, asbestos management.
• Leading on the management of fire
  safety including undertaking the
  role of Fire Officer, ensuring that
  all fire risk assessments are up
  to date.
• Ensuring statutory inspections
  are undertaken as required
  (e.g., pressure vessels, lifting
  equipment, PUWER, LOLER etc)

Grounds
Line Manager to the Estates
Manager and Head Groundsman,
responsible for the high-quality
maintenance of all playing fields,
artificial surfaces, gardens,

trees, woodland and rural estate.
Oversees woodland and tree
safety management across
approximately 550 acres, ensuring
inspections, risk assessments and
specialist surveys are completed,
documented and actioned in line
with legal requirements and best
practice. Maintains effective working
relationships with key stakeholders,
including tenant farmers and
neighbouring landowners, and
ensures all tree and woodland works
comply with preservation orders
and health and safety obligations.

Facilities Management
Line Manager to the Facilities
Manager, responsible for the overall
presentation, functionality and
security of the School’s facilities,
ensuring consistently high standards
of cleanliness, appearance and
readiness. Overseeing cleaning
and laundry services, furniture and
furnishings across all buildings
(including new and refurbished
spaces), and prepares facilities
for events, lettings and key school
activities. Managing residential
property operations, waste,
recycling, pest control and signage
in line with statutory, sustainability
and branding requirements.

woldinghamschool.co.uk

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CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

Holding responsibility for site
security, including CCTV, alarms,
external security provision and
liaison with police as required.
Leading energy procurement and
manages the availability of oil and
gas through appropriate long-term
contracts to meet the School’s
operational needs.

Transport
Line Manager to the Transport
Manager, responsible for the
management and development of
the School’s transport operations,
including the school transport
service. Ensuring effective booking
systems are in place, driver
assessments and health checks
are completed as required, and
all vehicles are fully serviced,
insured and compliant. Developing
contingency plans to minimise
disruption to transport services.

Insurance
• Working closely with the Director
  of Finance and Operations ,
  ensure that suitable insurance
  arrangements are put in place
  and claims made where required
  (other than for pupil insurances).

Financial Management
• Preparing budget requirements
  for annual revenue and capital
  budgets, managing expenditure,
  and ensuring effective spending
  controls.
• Ensuring that all financial
  procedures are followed including
  tendering procedures, ensuring
  that value for money is obtained.

Staff Management
• Ensuring the effective recruitment,
  management, development and
  retention of staff in all areas of
  responsibility.
• Ensuring the staff appraisal
  process is followed and that staff
  development and wellbeing is
  a priority for all teams.

Other
• Member of the Director of Finance
  and Operations’ Management
  Team.
• Attending meetings and School
  events as requested by the
  Director of Finance and
  Operations and deputising
  for the Director of Finance
  and Operations on all estate
  matters.

• Attending meetings of the School
  Governors to provide progress
  reports and seek approval of plans
  as required.
• Undertaking any other reasonable
  tasks as requested by the Director
  of Finance and Operations.

Child Protection
The School is committed to
safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and young
people and expects all staff to share
this commitment. The post-holder
is responsible for safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of children
and young persons with whom s/he
comes into contact and must adhere
to and ensure compliance with
the School’s child protection policies
at all times. If in the course of
carrying out the duties of the post
the post-holder becomes aware
of any actual or potential risks to
the safety or welfare of children in
the School s/he must report any
concerns to the School’s Designated
Safeguarding Lead.

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CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

Person specification

Ethos and Whole School Values
• Committed to operating as part of the School
  community.
• Committed to the Sacred Heart Values.
• Committed to Woldingham as a school with
  high academic standing providing a holistic
  education and outstanding pastoral care.
• Flexible in adapting working routine to the
  needs of a busy boarding school.

Safeguarding and Pastoral
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting
  the welfare of children and young people.
• A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from
  the DBS.

Leadership and Management
• Prior experience in leading teams.
• The ability to lead and manage people to work
  towards a common goal.
• Able to provide focus and direction.
• Ability to coach and mentor direct reports.
• The ability to show an interest in the welfare,
  happiness and professional development of
  those under your leadership.

DESIRABLE

• Relevant building related qualification or
  accreditation in property-related matters.
• Effective procurement and contract negotiating
  skills and experience.
• Full, clean UK driving licence.
• Prior schools experience or equivalent.

ESSENTIAL

Operational Excellence
• Significant senior-level experience managing a
  large, complex estate (e.g. education, healthcare,
  commercial or similarly regulated environment).
• Proven experience of leading and delivering
  capital development projects, including:
  - Working with architects, consultants and
    contractors.
  - Managing budgets, timelines and compliance.
  - Securing planning permission and statutory
  approvals.
• Extensive experience of planned and reactive
  maintenance management across a diverse
  building portfolio.
• Demonstrable experience of managing statutory
  compliance, including fire safety, asbestos,
  legionella, water safety, electrical safety and
  lifting equipment.
• Experience of leading organisational Health &
  Safety arrangements, including risk assessments,
  audits, accident investigation and safety culture.
• Substantial people management experience,
  including leading multi-disciplinary teams and
  external contractors.
• Proven responsibility for managing large revenue
  and capital budgets, delivering value for money
  and following formal procurement and tendering
  processes.
• Experience overseeing grounds, land or rural estate
  management, including tree safety and working with
  external stakeholders.
• Experience of facilities management services,
  including cleaning, security, waste, energy and
  residential accommodation.

Personal Behaviours
• Excellent problem solver.
• Experienced at communicating complex issues
  and options to a non-technical audience.
• Collegiate and collaborative.
• Calm under pressure; fair and unflappable.
• Excellent time and deadline management.
• The ability to place decision-making within
  the wider context of whole-school needs.

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CANDIDATE BRIEF | DIRECTOR OF ESTATES

HOLIDAY
The holiday entitlement is five weeks per year
plus public holidays.

PENSION
You will be auto enrolled into the School’s pension
scheme, which includes life assurance.

LUNCH
A free meal is available in the dining room each
working day when the kitchens are open, when
on duty.

PARKING
There is free parking on site.

GYM AND POOL
There are staff sessions for use of these facilities.

FEES
School fees remission for dependants of the job
holder attending the school. If not already at the
school, any child would have to meet all of the
normal entrance requirements.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS
Please return your completed application form
and cover letter to hr@woldinghamschool.co.uk.

This role will close at 9am on Monday
23 February. Interviews will be held on Friday
27 February. Please ensure you are available
should you be shortlisted.

SAFEGUARDING
The school is committed to safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of children and young
people. This post is subject to an enhanced
DBS check, and the receipt of two satisfactory
references, including one from current employer.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The school is committed to the principles of equal
opportunity, diversity and inclusion. It seeks to
attract and retain the very best staff, ensuring that
our staff body reflects the diversity of our students
and the local community.

woldinghamschool.co.uk

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Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey, CR3 7YA
(for satellite navigation please use postcode CR3 7LR)

+44 (0)1883 654308  hr@woldinghamschool.co.uk
woldinghamschool.co.uk