Caretaker
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5XF19 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
21 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
2 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Catering, cleaning and site management
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week, Full year
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Grade 3, Point 2 - 4
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, reliable, and dedicated individual to join our friendly and hardworking school site team.
This is an important role within the school, and we are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and is committed to maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for our pupils, staff, and visitors.
The successful candidate will demonstrate patience, perseverance, and a strong commitment to carrying out their duties to the highest standard. Integrity and honesty are essential, as is consistent punctuality and excellent attendance. You will work closely with other members of the site team and the Facilities, Health and Safety Manager, ensuring that communication is clear and effective so that any issues are identified quickly and action is coordinated.
The main job purpose includes:
- Maintaining site security and safeguarding the premises, including acting as a registered keyholder.
- Ensuring the proper functioning of lighting, heating, and other essential systems across the school.
- Completing minor repair tasks and undertaking general porterage duties as required.
If you are interested in this post then please submit an application form and supporting letter via our website www.bishopschester.co.uk/careers-vacancies
Closing date: 21st April 2026
If you have any questions regarding the role, please email vacancies@bishopschester.co.uk
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive applications from a substantial number of suitably qualified candidates, therefore we recommend submitting an application as soon as possible.
The Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School is committed to all aspects of Safeguarding
What the school offers its staff
Optional membership of the local government pension scheme
Opportunities for overtime
On-site parking
Further information about the job
Salary: Grade 3 point 2 to 4 £24,602 - £25,380 Full time (37 hours p/w), Full year
plus overtime payments and optional membership of the local government pension scheme
Main Job Purposes: To provide efficient and effective caretaking support to the school including ensuring the security and general appearance of the buildings and surrounding areas are maintained in accordance with the required standard.
Hours of working
The shifts will generally be as detailed below, however it may be necessary to vary the hours from time to time to cover for holidays, lettings, contractors and absences in the team.
Early Shift:
Monday to Thursday 6.00am to 2.00pm including half hour break
Friday 6.00am to 1.30pm including half hour break
Middle Shift:
Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm including half hour break
Friday 8am to 3.30pm including half hour break
Late Shift:
Monday to Thursday 2.00pm to 10.00pm including half hour break
Friday 12.30pm to 8.00pm including half hour break
In addition, you will be required to work every third Saturday during term, from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
Very occasionally it may be necessary to work some hours on a Sunday.
These hours may be subject to change in the future to suit the needs of the school.
Night Call-outs
You will be required to be on call on a three weekly rota and to respond to call-outs by the alarm monitoring company. You will be paid time and a third, with a minimum of one hour per call-out.
Holidays
5 weeks per year, plus public holidays (6 weeks per year after 5 years’ continuous local government service).
Maximum 1 week to be taken during term time.
Line Management
The post holder will be line managed by the Facilities Health and Safety Manager.
The post holder will not line manage any other staff.
Notice
The post is subject to one calendar month’s notice.
Principal Responsibilities of the Post
1. To be responsible for maintaining the security of the premises and its contents in accordance with the schools’ current requirements. Opening and locking up of the school including lights and internal doors at the beginning and end of the school day including for lettings outside of school hours. Responding to call outs, as necessary. Being a nominated key holder for the school.
2. To maintain the school buildings, including effecting minor repairs and improvements, painting and decoration, and general maintenance tasks and to carry out cleaning of designated areas to ensure that the school and site are maintained in satisfactory condition that meets required standards.
3. To be responsible for ensuring clear and safe pedestrian access to the school to particularly in adverse weather conditions (e.g. clearing of snow, gritting etc.).
4. To dispose of waste materials in a safe, hygienic manner ensuring that it is available for collection, as required.
5. To undertake porterage tasks, as required including setting up and clearing away furniture.
6. To monitor and maintain the necessary stock of appropriate resources.
7. To comply with the requirements of Health and Safety, other relevant legislation and the schools policies and carry out weekly fire alarm tests and assist with evacuation and Invacuation procedures.
8. To use the school’s compliance software to receive assigned tasks and record action.
9. To monitor and operate the engineering systems (ie, heating, etc) and advise Line Manager of any faults in order to ensure the most economical use of fuel and water
10.To report emergencies in the case of faults with gas, electric and water supply to the Senior Caretaker/Facilities, Health and Safety Manager.
11.To liaise with contractors engaged by school monitor their work (if directed by Line Manager) to ensure specified standards are achieved.
12.To support in the management of the school minibus servicing schedules ensuring that they are washed and road worthy at all times.
13.To carry out PAT testing of equipment as directed by the Line manager. Training will be provided if necessary.
14.Provision of first aid assistance (training will be provided if required).
15.Occasional driving of the school minibus.
16.To work overtime as required to cover weekend lettings, on a shared basis.
17.To be flexible in working as part of a team to cover holidays and absence due to sickness to allow the school to operate efficiently.
18.To carry out other duties relating to the use of the premises as may be necessary from time to time in accordance with the reasonable requirement of the Facilities, Health & Safety Manager and Business Manager.
Notwithstanding the detail in this job description, the job holder will undertake such work as may be determined by the Head Teacher/Business Manager from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the principal responsibilities of the job during contracted hours.
Person Specification
Essential
Knowledge and skills
- Operation of power and hand tools.
- Building maintenance and cleaning skills.
- Basic IT skills sufficient to use the compliance software
Desirable
- Operation of cleaning equipment.
- DIY Skills.
- Previous experience in Caretaking/building management/building cleaning.
- Knowledge of security systems.
Experience
Essential
- Dealing with a large number of people in the course of your job.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a school environment.
Personal qualities
Essential
- Reliable, trustworthy and loyal.
- Motivated and proactive
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to relate to children
- Confidence to be assertive when necessary
- Organised and reliable
- Punctual time-keeping
- Highly adaptable
- High standards of work
- Able to use own initiative
- Willingness to work as part of a team
- Ability to follow and comply with instructions with equipment and material usage.
- Able to lift and carry objects.
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of general education.
- Clean driving licence
Desirable
Attendance at courses relating to caretaking, cleaning and/or health and safety
All applicants must be committed to the safeguarding and promoting the well-being of young people.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
About The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1203 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- vacancies@bishopschester.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01244 313806
School location
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