Driver

Abbey Gate College is seeking to appoint an experienced and conscientious Minibus Driver to join our Estates Team. A caring, warm and professional manner is required at all times. Therefore, excellent customer service skills are essential.  

We welcome applications from candidates wishing to work 20 hours per week, term-time only, which covers the morning and afternoon minibus shifts.  

We would, equally, also like to hear from candidates who would prefer to work 7.5 hours per week, term-time only, which covers the morning shift only, or from candidates who would prefer to work 12.5 hours per week, term-time only, which covers the afternoon shift only.

Job Description:

Line managed by our Head Caretaker, you will play an important role in safely transporting pupils, on one of our minibuses, to and from the College, and also between our Senior School in Saighton and our Infant and Junior School in Aldford.  

Key Duties Include:

• To undertake daily safety checks on the minibus as per the daily checklist 

• To drive the minibus on agreed specified routes to collect and drop off pupils at the beginning and end of the school day (and any other times/ dates as agreed with the Estates Manager)

• To ensure the safeguarding of the pupils is the number one priority during the transportation of the pupils on the minibus

Person Specification:

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:  

Experience:

• Previous experience of driving a minibus is preferred, but not essential

Qualifications:

Essential

• Full, clean driving licence (with D1 entitlement)

• First aid at work qualification, or commitment to completing this

• Desire to complete any relevant, additional training as required by the College

Desirable

• PCV licence and valid CPC qualification

Skills / Personal Qualities:

• Excellent customer service skills, verbal communication and interpersonal skills

• A calm, professional, positive, sensitive and friendly approach

• A team player, willing to support other members of the College community

• Ability to work using own initiative

• Willingness and adaptability in tackling the variety of tasks arising in a school environment

• An understanding of data protection and the need for confidentiality at all times

• An ability to deal with sensitive matters professionally and tactfully

• Commitment to CPD and training opportunities

Safeguarding & Child Protection:

Abbey Gate College is committed, as a priority, to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will, therefore, be subject to stringent vetting and induction processes, including an enhanced DBS disclosure. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested prior to interview; please inform your referees. 

Whilst criminal convictions are not necessarily a bar to appointment, this safety consideration will be central to all decisions regarding the employment of staff, approval of volunteers, and standards of external contractors.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and to treating all staff with dignity and respect. Therefore, applications from individuals are encouraged, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships. 

Salary & Hours of Work:

Option One: Mornings & Afternoons

£10,176 based on 20 hours per week, term-time only (Grade AGS 2 Grade Point 8).

Daily hours will be 7.00am – 8.30am and 3.00pm – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.  

Option Two: Mornings Only

£3,816 based on 7.5 hours per week, term-time only (Grade AGS 2 Grade Point 8).

Daily hours will be 7.00am – 8.30am, Monday to Friday.

Option Three: Afternoons Only

£6,360 based on 12.5 hours per week, term-time only (Grade AGS 2 Grade Point 8).

Daily hours will be 3.00pm – 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note that, three times per academic year, the pupils finish at midday instead of 3.50pm. Therefore, on these specified dates, the Minibus Driver (working the afternoon shift) will be required to collect the pupils from the College at midday and drive them home.  

Some flexibility / willingness to work additional hours, driving the minibus for College trips etc. would be desirable. 

Process for Applications:

• Closing date for applications: Monday 16th December 2024 at 9.00am.

In order to apply for our Minibus Driver vacancy, please apply via the TES online portal, or complete our Abbey Gate College application form (available at https://www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk/about-us/vacancies/). 

Please also include a covering letter, which should be addressed to our Head, Mr Craig Jenkinson, outlining your interest in, and suitability for, the role and the College. 

Your completed application form and covering letter should be returned to Mrs Sue Moran, HR and Staff Wellbeing Manager, at: sue.moran@abbeygatecollege.co.uk by the above closing date.

Should you require any additional information or assistance regarding your application, please also contact Sue Moran.  

Please visit our website at www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk for more information about the College.