Caretaker

At Judith Kerr we believe that bilingualism is for everyone and welcome children of all language abilities, whether they have never been exposed to German language before or they have spoken German at home since infancy.  

We feel that JKPS is a special place where staff are dedicated to providing a stimulating and exciting environment in which everyone feels valued and safe. We want our pupils’ time in our school to be memorable and believe we provide a caring environment where every child is valued as an individual and where diversity is celebrated. 

Our school community is justifiably proud of our school and its achievements so far; we are all dedicated to supporting the school to realise its vision. The passion and collaboration of all stakeholders has led to a very close community that works tirelessly to achieve the best for all its children. 

Key Priorities

To achieve success, the post holder will:

• Ensure the security, care, and availability of the building, furniture, fittings, and equipment. Promote the efficient use of the Academy’s assets.
• Support the continued development of the Academy’s extended services and activities, including commercial activities, with particular emphasis on after-school activities.
• Operate and develop the site controller procedures and systems in cooperation with the Operations Manager and the Head Teacher, ensuring that all legal and safety requirements relating to people and property are met.
• Raise standards and set benchmarks for premises care to ensure a high-quality environment in which learning can take place.
• Act on and report any Health and Safety concerns to the Operations Manager. Carry out regular termly inspections and help ensure that the full requirements of health and safety legislation and best practices are met.
• Actively model and promote the values and ethos of the Academy.
• Advise on matters relating to the management of the premises in terms of its maintenance and refurbishment for the future.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Duties

• Act as key-holder and be responsible for routine and non-routine opening and closing of the school site.
• Work outside of normal school working hours as required for school events, lettings, or emergencies.
• Liaise with fire and intruder alarm contractors or emergency services if required.
• Undertake internal and external maintenance and repairs as needed.
• Oversee contractors when on-site and support the Operations Manager in facilitating outsourced cleaning and catering contracts.
• Ensure buildings are safe and services are running and fit for use each day.
• Undertake minor cleaning duties in the event of spillages.
• Distribute items received by the school.
• Use equipment and tools such as drills, electric saws, etc., safely.
• Set up and move furniture, equipment, and other items.
• Ensure all allocated equipment and materials are stored safely and securely.
• Prepare for and ensure weekly waste collections are completed.
• Monitor supplies and report to the Operations Manager.
• Perform duties in line with Health and Safety rules.
• Keep all site storage areas clean and tidy.

Key Responsibilities

• Capital Works: Act as a point of contact for all capital building and grounds works. Monitor day-to-day work on-site and deal with any issues.
• Security: Liaise with the Operations Manager on external contractual issues. Investigate security breaches and recommend improvements.
• Health and Safety: Provide advice and guidance on health and safety matters. Carry out termly inspections and prepare reports. Act as the Academy contact for the Fire Officer and the Health and Safety Executive.
• Premises: Act as the principal point of contact for premises-related contracts. Assist with the preparation and regular review of a maintenance plan for the building and grounds.
• Budgetary Control: Monitor the budgets for all site controller areas. Report regularly to the Operations Manager.

Responsibilities

• Be committed to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and young people.
• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the school.
• Establish constructive relationships and communication with all staff and other agencies/professionals.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.

These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exhaustive nor exclusive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grading of the post.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the recruitment campaign earlier that this date subject to the volume of applications received.  We therefore encourage candidates to submit applications as early as possible.

It is an offence for an individual who has been disqualified from working with children to knowingly apply for, offer to do, accept, or do any work in a ‘regulated activity’. The position advertised is a ‘regulated activity’.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and require all staff and volunteers to share and demonstrate this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification and will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks which will, where applicable, include a health check, an enhanced DBS check, the Children’s Barred List check and satisfactory references.