School Caretaker

School Caretaker

Chaigeley School, Lymm Road, Thelwall, Warrington, WA4 2TE
Split shift 6:30am to 10:00am and 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, term time only
NJC Payscale (Scale 1 spine 3 £24,796 to scale 4 spine 7 £26,403)
Actual Pay £22,428 to £23,882
To start as soon as possible

About us
Chaigeley School is a Non-maintained Special School that caters for young people between the ages of 8 and
16 who experience Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We provide a specialist
environment where all pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Our school ethos is rooted in
the Quaker principle of respect for the individual and valuing every person's contribution. We are an Ofsted-
rated 'Good' school committed to supporting every pupil to achieve their best. Our Vision is to prepare and
empower our young people with all the skills they need to live independent lives, become valued members of
the community and achieve their true potential.

The Role
We are seeking a reliable and practical School Caretaker to play a key role in maintaining a safe, secure and
welcoming school environment. The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day security, safety and
upkeep of the school site, ensuring that buildings and grounds are well maintained and ready for use by
pupils, staff and visitors.

This is a split-shift role, requiring the caretaker to open and close the site working 6.30am to 10.00am
and 2.30pm to 6.30pm. We would consider job share arrangements for suitable candidates.

Duties include opening and securing the site each day, carrying out routine site and safety checks, supporting
minor maintenance and repairs, maintaining the school grounds, and acting as a keyholder responding to
emergency call-outs when required.

The caretaker will have supervisory responsibility for the cleaning team, ensuring cleaning standards
are maintained across the site. In the absence of a member of the cleaning team, the post holder will be
expected to support and cover cleaning duties to ensure the school remains clean and safe.

The Candidate
The successful candidate will be dependable, hands-on and able to work independently while also
contributing effectively as part of a wider site and school team. You will take pride in maintaining a safe and
well-presented environment and will have a strong awareness of health and safety and security and be fit
enough to carry out the duties of the role.

You will be flexible in your approach to working hours, including the split-shift pattern and occasional
emergency call-outs, and confident supervising staff and managing day-to-day site responsibilities. A
professional manner, good communication skills and an understanding of safeguarding within a school setting
are essential.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

•  Previous experience in a caretaking, site maintenance, facilities or similar role
•  Ability to carry out routine site checks and identify health and safety issues
•  Experience of undertaking minor repairs and basic maintenance tasks
•  Understanding of site security, locking procedures and alarm systems

•  Ability to supervise cleaning staff and maintain cleaning standards
•  Willingness to undertake cleaning duties when required
•  Knowledge of health and safety and safeguarding requirements, or willingness to be trained
•
•  Basic literacy and numeracy skills
•  Willingness to undertake relevant training, including safeguarding and health and safety
•  Clear and enhanced DBS check

Flexibility to work a split-shift pattern and respond to emergency call-outs

If you've got what it takes to join our amazing team, download and complete the application form on the
Chaigeley School Website Vacancies | Chaigeley School  no later than: 31st January 2026 Interviews will
take place shortly after the closing date.

You are welcome to come and visit the school prior to submitting your application. To do so, please email
your request to HR@Chaigeley.org.uk

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, the successful applicant will be required to disclose any
relevant criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings.

An Enhanced DBS check will be undertaken for the successful candidate. An online check will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates
and references may be requested prior to interview. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and
encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. If you have a disability
and need any adjustments to help you with an interview, then let us know and we will be happy to work with you to find out more about
what you need.

All personal information provided in the application process will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation and will be used
solely for the purposes of recruitment and selection.

Job Description
School Caretaker

Responsible for
Taking care of the site, grounds and ensuring the security of the premises.

Main Purpose
The  main  purpose  of  the  School  Caretaker  role  is  to  ensure  the  school  site  is  safe,  secure,  clean  and  well
maintained  at  all  times,  providing  a  positive  and  functional  environment  for  pupils,  staff  and  visitors.  The  post
holder  supports  the  day-to-day  operation  of  the  school  through  effective  site  security,  routine  checks,  basic
maintenance,  and  grounds  care,  while  working  closely  with  the  Maintenance  Manager  to  ensure  health  and
safety, safeguarding and operational standards are consistently met.

Job Profile

Site Responsibilities
•  Open  and  secure  the  school  site  each  day,  including  unlocking  buildings  at  the  start  of  the  day,

carrying out initial safety checks, and ensuring the site is fully prepared for pupils and staff.

•  Carry  out  daily  site  inspections  to  ensure  classrooms,  corridors,  toilets,  playgrounds  and  outdoor
areas  are  safe,  clean  and  fit  for  use.  This  includes  identifying  hazards  such  as  spillage,  damaged
flooring,  broken  furniture  or  unsafe  equipment,  taking  immediate  action  where  possible,  and
reporting any concerns promptly.

•  Raise any maintenance, health and safety or security concerns to the Maintenance Manager.
•

Ensure issues are clearly recorded, prioritized appropriately and followed up where necessary. Assist
the Maintenance manager in minor repairs as and when needed.

•  Assist the Maintenance Manager with minor repairs and routine maintenance tasks as required, such
as  changing  light  fittings,  fixing  door  handles,  assembling  furniture,  basic  plumbing  tasks,  and
supporting preventative maintenance work to help keep the site in good condition.

•  Act  as  a  designated  site  keyholder,  responding  to  emergency  callouts  outside  of  normal  working
hours  when  required.  This  may  include  attending  site  in  response  to  alarm  activations,  vandalism,
flooding, adverse weather conditions or other emergencies, and taking appropriate action to secure
the site and minimize disruption.

•  Maintain the school grounds to a safe and presentable standard, including regular litter picking, basic
gardening duties, clearing leaves and debris, gritting paths and entrances during icy conditions, and
carrying out visual checks of play areas to ensure they remain safe, accessible and free from hazards.
Liaise with external contractors working on site, ensuring they follow school safeguarding, health and
safety and security procedures always.

•

Cleaning team
•

Supervise  and  support  the  school  cleaning  team,  ensuring  high  standards  of  cleanliness  are
maintained.

•  Allocate  daily  cleaning  duties  and  monitor  quality  of  work,  addressing  issues  as  needed.Raise  any

maintenance, health and safety or security concerns to the Maintenance Manager.

•  Provide  guidance  and  induction  for  new  cleaning  staff,  ensuring  health,  safety  and  safeguarding

procedures are followed.

•  Maintain  cleaning  supplies  and  equipment,  reporting  shortages  or  faults.Act  as  a  designated  site
keyholder, responding to emergency callouts outside of normal working hours when required. This
may  include  attending  site  in  response  to  alarm  activations,  vandalism,  flooding,  adverse  weather

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conditions  or  other  emergencies,  and  taking  appropriate  action  to  secure  the  site  and  minimize
disruption.

•  Cover cleaning duties during staff absence to ensure continuity of service.
•  Act as the main point of contact between the cleaning team and school leadership.

Security, Health & Safety
•

Ensure that  you are familiar with all aspects of health  and  safety including security,  fire safety and
emergency procedures, so that established good practices are adhered to.
Take part in and undertake any emergency fire drill or emergency evacuation.

•
•  Undertake training in the safe use of fire extinguishers and any other health & safety training when

required to do so or as instructed.

•  Have an awareness of security.
•

To adhere to the Health and Safety policy and procedures

Safeguarding

All staff are expected to have an understanding and adhere to the school’s Safeguarding Policy (including
Child Protection) and the document “Keeping Children Safe in Education” produced by the Department
for Education.

At all times, carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the schools policies and procedures,
for example Equal opportunities policy.

From time to time undertake to review the job description and alter it in accordance with the changing
needs of the school.

The post holder may reasonably be expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the level
of responsibility that may be allocated from time to time by a member of the Governing Body, SLT or
the assistant business & finance manager.

This job description is relating to the present post holder.  As with all job descriptions it is open for review
and should be seen only as an indication of possible duties and not set in stone.

Signed:

School Caretaker

Business & Finance Manager

Date:

Date:

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Person Specification
School Caretaker

Experience, Knowledge & Skills
Previous experience in site maintenance, caretaking or similar
Experience of carrying out site checks and identifying issues
Ability to undertake minor repairs and basic maintenance tasks
Knowledge of health and safety procedures
Understanding of site security, locking procedures and alarm systems
Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day responsibilities
Experience of liaising with contractors and monitoring works on site
An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities within a school
environment (or willingness to learn)
Experience of supervising or line-managing a small team, including
allocating tasks and monitoring performance.
Ability to provide clear guidance, support, and feedback to staff.
Practical approach to covering duties when required and supporting
team members.
Strong organisational skills to manage schedules, resources, and cleaning
standards effectively.

E/D
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable

Evidenced via
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview

Essential

Application/Interview

Desirable

Application/Interview

Essential

Application/Interview

Essential

Application/Interview

Essential

Application/Interview

Personal Attributes
Reliable, trustworthy and punctual
Flexible approach to work, including occasional emergency call-outs

Strong sense of responsibility for site safety and security
Ability to work well as part of a team and take direction from the
Maintenance Manager
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following school policies
Proactive attitude with a willingness to take initiative
Fit to carry out the duties of the role

IT Proficiency
Basic IT skills to complete reports, log issues and communicate via email
Ability to learn simple electronic systems such as sign-in systems
Willingness to develop IT skills as required by the role

Education, Qualifications and Training
Basic literacy and numeracy skills
Willingness to undertake health and safety training as required
Willingness to complete safeguarding and child protection training
Fire safety training or willingness to be trained

Other
Clear DBS Check

E/D
Essential
Essential
Essential

Essential

Essential
Essential
Essential

E/D
Essential
Essential
Essential

E/D
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential

E/D
Essential

Evidenced via
Interview
Interview
Interview

Interview

Interview
Interview
Assessment

Evidenced via
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview

Evidenced via
Application/Checks
Interview
Interview
Interview

Evidenced via
Checks

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