School Site Officer

Role:

Reporting to the Head Teacher with a dotted line to the Kedleston Group Development and Estates Manager, the post holder will be responsible for a wide range of duties connected with the upkeep of the fabric and grounds of the site together with supporting the daily operational needs of the school.

The post holder will:

• Ensure proactive and reactive maintenance is delivered in a timely manner, liaising with the Group Estates team as needed
• Be responsible for the security of the site.
• Ensure the school is kept clean
• Be required to work independently using their own initiative to overcome problems
• Assist in the monitoring and testing of building systems to ensure the school meets its legal obligations under regulatory compliance (any necessary training will be provided)
• Undertake some driving duties to assist in the delivery of visits and site logistics
• Adhere to good safeguarding procedures and practice at all times
• Support the site teams at the other Fernways schools as required
• Use the Group’s Parago system to manage site maintenance and complete required compliance checks

Key responsibilities

Security:

• Ensure arrangements are in place for the locking and unlocking of school buildings.
• Operation of the school’s security alarm systems including provision of out of hours call out supporting the existing key holding company.
• Act as a registered key holder for the site
• Respond to emergency call outs out of hours and at weekends to cover emergency repairs, security issues and to facilitate contractor access.

Lighting and heating:

• Understand the heating and hot water generating plant ensuring its operation.
• Be aware of all stopcocks, gas and electricity meters, and reading meters as required.
• Maintain all lighting and emergency systems, ensuring they are fully operational arranging for repairs and testing to be undertaken as required.

Cleaning

• Ensure the site always remains clean and tidy
• Supervise the school’s cleaner
• Ensure annual deep cleans are undertaken
• Ensure stock of cleaning and sanitary items are maintained at suitable levels
• Provide emergency cleaning cover in the temporary absence of the school cleaner

Internal Maintenance:

• Carry out reactive and proactive maintenance as required
• Ensure minor and temporary repairs are completed as required.
• Inspect electrical fittings and report defects as required.
• Replace lamps and domestic fuses as required.
• Regularly inspect plumbing and report/repair defects as appropriate.
• Synchronise clocks, time switches, etc. as required.
• Supervise and arrange the work and activities of visiting contractors
• Carry out PAT testing as instructed

External maintenance:

• Ensure all gutters, drains and gullies are clear to ensure effective and healthy operation.
• Inspect outside fabric of school, report/repair defects as appropriate.
• Inspect all fences, gates, walls, steps, lights, etc. Report/repair defects as appropriate.
• Organise the clearing of snow, ice, and detritus as appropriate, including treatment of surfaces with salt, etc.
• Carry out grounds maintenance as required

Store keeping and materials:

• Maintain the site stores in a tidy and safe manner
• Ensure the maintenance stock of cleaning material and chemicals remain sufficient to meet the ongoing needs of the school

Emergencies:

• Ensure safe access to the school and classrooms where required in the event of snow, ice, minor flooding, or similar emergencies.
• Deal with, or arrange to be dealt with, all bursts, leaks, floods, fires, and breakages as appropriate and as soon as the problem is discovered.
• Deal with, or arrange to be dealt with, all electrical and gas supply emergencies, including making safe and temporary supply measurers
• Act as an emergency first aider (training will be provided)

Health and safety:

• The post holder is required to attend periodic Health & Safety Training sessions organised by the school to keep them informed of Health and Safety issues relating to the duties of the post.
• To perform their duties in line with health and safety requirements and take remedial action where hazards are identified.
• To report serious hazards to the Head Teacher / Group H&S Manager
• Organise the routine testing of fire, emergency lighting and water systems
• Use cleaning and maintenance substances in line with COSHH requirements and ensure each substance in use has an up to date material safety data sheet

School Vehicles

• Weekly maintenance and safety checks of all school vehicles, maintaining a log.
• Weekly tyre pressure checks.
• Report any defects/concerns to the Head Teacher
• Fuel vehicles as required.
• Carry out driving duties to meet the operational requirements of the school.

Miscellaneous:

• Dealing with enquiries from teaching staff, students and pupils, parents, tradespeople, and contractors as well as the emergency services (e.g., Police, Fire Brigade, etc) when required.
• Attend any relevant training as directed by the school.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post.

About Us

Fernways School is owned and operated by Kedleston Group, is an independent day school offering specialist education to young people in Key stage 2 to 4 with Autism. The post holder is required to ensure the daily operation of the site and the maintenance of the school grounds.

Kedleston Group is an independent operator of schools/homes for children with a range of special educational needs. The post holder will uphold the mission, values and goals of the Group and School as expressed in the Vision and Mission Statement

Kedleston Group Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You will be expected to engage in annual safeguarding training, be familiar with key policies and ensure you know the steps to take should you be made aware of a safeguarding or child protection concern. You will remain vigilant and act swiftly if you have concerns about a child and be an appropriate role model for both children and colleagues at all times.

The successful candidate is required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.