THE UNICORN SCHOOL LTD

UNICORN SCHOOL

238 Kew Road,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3JX
Tel:   020 8948 3926
enquiries@unicornschool.org.uk

UNICORN SCHOOL
JOB DESCRIPTION
Caretaker (Part-Time)

•  6 weeks holiday (pro-rata per academic year) plus UK Bank Holidays
•  Competitive Salary plus Nest Pension
•  Hot lunch during term time working days

Job Purpose
Provides effective support to the Bursar in non-academic areas, ensuring the efficient day to day management of
Premises and Estates.  As a member of the school’s administrative team, also provides routine administrative
assistance as required.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Premises and Facilities Management

•  To be jointly responsible for the security of the premises, liaising with London Borough of Richmond (LBRuT)/Alarm

Monitoring/Police and other emergency services in this respect as necessary

•  Maintenance of CCTV control and monitoring, and door access control
•  Monitor standards of cleaning provided by the school’s contract cleaning staff, raising any issues with the contractor

and Bursar to achieve improved performance

•  Take ownership for the tidiness, cleanliness of exterior school grounds and interior of all buildings (Main House,

Coach House & Music Pods)

•  Ensure that all external and internal Play Equipment is safe and inspected annually
•  Monitor breakfast and lunch provision and liaise with Contractor if required
•  Monitor the performance of outside contractors working on the school site and inspect completed work (e.g. gas,

water and electricity engineers, fire alarm and intruder alarm engineers)

•  Keeping a log of faults reported and updated with first fix response and actions required and completed
•  Lead on the management, tidiness and the safety/security of external storage facilities (whether on or off-site)
•  Manage and monitor all cleaning cupboards, including tidiness, health & safety and ensure locked at all times
•  Take Control of Waste Management (food waste, household and recycling), with all bins put out on a Monday &

Thursday for collection. Ensure bins are kept clean.

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Regular Tasks: Premises/Estates

•  Conduct daily routine inspections of the school buildings and grounds, adopting a ‘don’t walk past’ approach
•  Daily checks to ensure Fire Regulations are satisfied at all times, including fire exits/escapes are clear at all times and

fire doors not manually propped open aside from electronic door guards.
Fire Marshall Deputy to the Bursar when on-site
Prepare the hall and rooms for events, activities, meetings and lunches

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•  Assist with constructing the stage for shows and performances
•  Check photocopiers and arrange maintenance as required
•  Ensure internal waste and recycling bins are emptied and disposed of responsibly
•  Check bins are collected (including cloakrooms) and air fresheners maintained (external contractors)
•  Check and top up supplies of cleaning materials, personal hygiene products and sundry items and replace as required
•  Toilet Cleanliness (Children & Adult):  Regular inspections to ensure cleanliness and that all cleaning materials are

always topped up

•  Carry out routine check on firefighting equipment and ancillary equipment, e.g. maintenance of batteries etc
•  Carry out regular stock-takes of supplies and equipment
•  Be responsible for organising regular audits/checks (e.g. playground) in conjunction with the Bursar
•  Record meter readings for gas, water and electricity as required
•  Gardening and watering of Plants/Planters
•  All other reasonable requests from the Bursar to ensure the smooth-running of the school

 Health and Safety

•  Suggest works to maintain and develop the facilities and premises to meet the educational and community

requirements of the school, ensuring they are well maintained, attractive in appearance and provide a safe and healthy
environment for staff, pupils and visitors

•  Ensure compliance with best practice and statutory requirements in all areas of Health and Safety including updating

of records in conjunction with the Bursar

•  Proactive maintenance of all equipment across the school to satisfy compliance
•  Water Testing to be conducted internally in line with regulatory requirements and in conjunction with external

partners to ensure compliant
Pest Control:  Manage and support regular visits with our contractual partners

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Forward planning

•  Working with the Bursar to carry out a rolling programme of redecoration and refurbishment
•  Assist in liaising with appropriate organisations and agencies in connection with planning and conducting minor and

major works at the school

•  Anticipate future needs to enhance operational efficiency and a right first-time approach

General Duties
Support the School Office and Bursar’s Office as required

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•  Deal with incoming enquiries promptly, ensuring that messages are recorded and passed to the appropriate personnel

in a timely manner

•  Assist with routine periodic administration tasks
•  Contribute positively to effective working relationships within the school community
•  The post holder may be requested to undertake further associated activities and responsibilities, of a similar nature to

those mentioned above

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Person Specification

Key Skills and Prerequisites:

•  Highly flexible team player who is adaptable, prioritises and takes the initiative
•  Confident and able to get on well with all staff, children, parents and governors
•  Must be diligent, accurate and have high attention to detail standards
•  To be well organised and have good time-management skills
•  Understanding of and commitment to the Safeguarding of children and young people
•  Must demonstrate tact, confidentiality and discretion at all times
•  Ability to work independently and in a team
•  Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines in an ever-changing environment
•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
•  Excellent telephone manner and ability to deal with enquiries
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Professional, smart appearance
Self-motivated and committed

Will be Required

•  Enhanced DBS

Desirable

•  Experience of having worked in a school on a similar role
•  Driving licence
•  Ability to drive minibus as required

www.unicornschool.org.uk