Job Information Pack Maintenance Operative
Welcome to Birkdale
Thank you for your interest in this role at Birkdale School. I hope this information pack provides you with everything you need to know about the vacancy, our school, and why we are proud to be a family where everyone is stronger together.
Birkdale is a special place for boys and girls aged 4 to 18, from our Prep School through to the Sixth Form. Our pupils learn and play alongside each other, supported by outstanding, passionate teachers and staff. We are dedicated to developing every individual's potential while achieving the best possible academic results.
We are a welcoming, happy, and aspirational environment, featuring small classes and expert teaching. This approach allows our pupils to learn effectively and achieve highly; typically, around two-thirds of all GCSE grades achieved are between grades 7 to 9.
We also offer a large number of extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama, and other pastimes that enrich our students’ lives and help them develop new skills.
Our high expectations, huge breadth of activity, and outstanding pastoral care are all rooted in our strong Christian ethos, which characterises the education we offer.
I look forward to potentially welcoming you to Birkdale soon
With best wishes,
Mr Ben Bowles Head, Birkdale School
Job Information Pack Maintenance Operative
The Role
We are seeking a Maintenance Operative to join our maintenance and caretaking team, who have workshop, stores, office facilities located on the Senior School site on Oakholme Road, Sheffield. The team presently comprises of a Maintenance Supervisor, Prep School Maintenance Operative and a School Porter. The team is flexible, multi-skilled and works as a unit. They work alongside the two-strong grounds maintenance team, and are supported by long-standing contractors in the building, electrical, decorating and plumbing fields.
The Maintenance Operative will sit under the Bursar’s Department which has responsibility for most non-teaching functions, i.e. accounts, payroll, personnel, administration, maintenance (buildings, plant, vehicles & grounds), catering, cleaning, health & safety, and site development.
The Maintenance Operative will report to the Maintenance Supervisor, who in turn reports to the Bursar. The post-holder will have primary responsibility in supporting the general maintenance of the Senior School. They will also be involved as necessary in all aspects of the maintenance and caretaking team’s work, which ranges from photocopying to furniture moving.
Maintenance Operative
Key Responsibilities
The principal responsibilities of the Maintenance Operative will be:
Carrying such general maintenance as may be required or requested (there is a maintenance request system in place) as so competent to do or making arrangements for others to do such through the Maintenance Supervisor.
Responsible for carrying out and recording the routine Health & Safety Testing including (but not limited to) the Fire alarms, Emergency Lighting systems, and supervising and recording contracted out testing (eg. Hygiene, Pest control, Lift, boilers etc.)
Perform in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment (PAT) across all departments. Maintain accurate records of all tests conducted, including test results, asset tracking, and retest schedules. Ensure all testing equipment is calibrated and maintained in good working order. Training will be provided if required.
• Identify and report any unsafe or non-compliant equipment to the relevant department.
Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and internal policies.
• Attendance at Health and Safety Committee meetings in Maintenance Supervisor’s absence.
• Locking the Senior School site during holidays, ensuring that all buildings have been secured and alarms activated.
Care and control of all maintenance equipment, tools and stores assigned to him.
• Purchasing of materials, spares and equipment as authorised by the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Carrying out such other general maintenance at the school’s other sites as may be directed by the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Assisting the Maintenance Supervisor and the School Porter with their duties as directed by the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Assisting the Grounds team at certain times of the year as required.
• In due course, a key holder and First Aid at work qualified.
Job Information Pack Maintenance Operative
Person Specification
Suitable candidates should:
Ideally be a multi-skilled tradesperson with skills to complement those of the Supervisor (a former Corgi registered commercial plumber) and the School Porter (a former auto technician), i.e. those with joinery, plastering and/or brick laying skills will be of particular interest but all relevant skill sets will be considered.
Be organised and tidy in their work, and have very good attention to detail.
Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Be personable and able to communicate effectively and clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Be entirely trustworthy.
A full UK driving licence is essential for this role.
• Display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people, and be able to form and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Have tact and diplomacy in their dealings with other non-maintenance staff but have the stature and firmness to ensure they are not deviated from clear priorities and the directions of their supervisor.
Birkdale is a very successful independent day school located in Sheffield for children aged from 4 to 18, amounting altogether to 770+ pupils.
Birkdale is located on three sites in south-west Sheffield, the 11-18 (Y7 to Y13) Senior School, the 4-11 (Reception to Y6) Prep School and the playing fields at Castle Dyke.
Birkdale is the only HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference) school in South Yorkshire and the Head is also a member of the Society of Heads. The Head of the Preparatory School is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools).
The Christian ethos of the school manifests itself in the particularly friendly and supportive atmosphere. A good proportion of the staff are committed Christians, although as a community Birkdale is open to all, whatever their beliefs.
There have been some exciting developments in recent years which include the introduction of girls at Birkdale. From September 2020, Birkdale began the process of moving from being a school for boys only, with a co-educational sixth form to being a fully co-educational school.
From September 2024, all year groups at the Prep School were co-educational with the first 11+ co-educational cohort joining the Senior School.
This is an exciting time to join our school.
The working hours are 37.5 per week, working from 09:30 until 17:30. These periods of work include a half-hour unpaid lunch break. Flexible working arrangements will be considered.
Salary will be £25,971 per annum.
Paid annual leave is 20 days plus 8 Bank Holidays and 2 for Christmas shutdown, a total of 30 days per annum.
After 5 years’ continuous service, the annual leave entitlement rises to 25 days.
Pension: Birkdale offers an attractive private salary sacrifice pension scheme APTIS with Aviva.
Staff are entitled to a remission of school fees amounting up to 71.6% for full-time staff and pro rata for parttime and part year working staff.
Sick pay: The company sick pay scheme provides ex-gratia sick pay at the full rate for up to 3 months in any 12 months, with 50% income protection for extended sickness.
Additional Benefits: Death in service and access to additional wellbeing and health support including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments, Unlimited mental health support, Physiotherapy, Personal training, Nutrition consultations and more.
During term time, lunch is provided to staff on site.
Car parking is available on site.
Job Information Pack Maintenance Operative
How To Apply
Please submit:
A cover letter addressed to Ronan Wade, Bursar of no more than one side of A4 explaining why you are interested in the role, and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11)
A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. This can be found on our website >>
Recruitment timetable:
Closing date for applications – Friday 3rd July 2026 at 12 Noon.
Email your application to: Ronan Wade, Bursar at recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk by the closing date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if necessary and we therefore recommend applying early
For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact the above email address with any questions you may have. Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk
Maintenance Operative
Pre-Employment Checks
Birkdale School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people.
All applicants must be willing to undergo the relevant pre-employment checks relevant to the role.
Current legislation applying to this post includes the The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2008 and the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996. Therefore, the successful candidate will be required to prove their eligibility to work in the UK and undergo appropriate criminal record checks, including an application for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Details of the documentation etc needed in connection with all the above requirements will be sent to the shortlisted candidates. Prior to taking up appointment, we will then request a declaration about medical fitness, and proof of qualifications from the successful candidate.
Under the guidance set by KCSIE Birkdale School will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates.
Equal Opportunities
At Birkdale School, we strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all individuals.
We are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity, providing a level playing field for all of our staff and pupils. We aim to foster an inclusive culture, where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels empowered, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you meet most of the criteria but are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to reach out - we value potential and a willingness to grow.