Head Caretaker
Ordsall Primary School, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SL41 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
15 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
5 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Catering, cleaning and site management
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 12:30pm to 6pm, 27.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £19,936 and £21,955
Pay scale
- Grade 4
What skills and experience we're looking for
Purpose of the Role
To take overall responsibility for the care, security, safety and daily maintenance of the school site and buildings, ensuring compliance with all statutory and health-and-safety requirements. Training will be provided for all key compliance areas, systems and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Health, Safety and Compliance
- Lead on fire safety management, including fire drills, evacuations and lockdown procedures.
- Ensure full compliance with relevant health and safety requirements, including fire safety, asbestos procedures, legionella management and risk assessments.
- Manage site security systems, including the intruder alarm and magnetic door-locking system.
- Complete and record regular emergency lighting, legionella, asbestos, working-at-height, playground equipment and tree inspections.
- Support the development and implementation of health and safety policies, promptly reporting hazards or defects.
- Carry out contractor inductions, ensuring all visiting contractors receive and adhere to the required safeguarding, site, asbestos and health and safety information; complete and record all relevant documentation.
Premises Management and Maintenance
- Carry out routine maintenance, minor repairs and decorating to maintain the site to a high standard.
- Oversee external contractors, monitor the quality of their work and report any issues to the Headteacher or School Business Manager.
- Ensure heating, lighting, and ventilation systems operate effectively, reporting faults promptly.
- Maintain safe and tidy outdoor areas, including drains, paths and car parks; assist with gritting and snow clearance as required.
- Assist with deliveries, movement of furniture and preparation of rooms for school events.
- Monitor and operate within the school maintenance budget as allocated by the governing body; support and advise the Headteacher and School Business Manager regarding the maintenance budget and maintenance plan.
- Assist with determining medium- and long-term strategies for building maintenance, based on routine inspections and ongoing site needs.
- Manage the administration of building-related matters, including maintenance, repairs, servicing and compliance checks; liaise with contractors and communicate via telephone and email.
Cleaning and Hygiene
- Support with cleaning of designated areas only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. staff absence) to maintain hygiene and safety.
- Undertake the safe cleaning and disposal of waste materials, such as bodily fluids, following hygiene protocols and using PPE.
- Monitor overall cleaning standards and report concerns to the School Business Manager.
Security
- Ensure the security of the site and its contents, including locking and occasional unlocking of the premises.
- Undertake unlocking duties at least once per month to remain familiar with procedures, and at any time required due to unexpected or unforeseen circumstances.
- Set and unset alarms; respond to callouts when required.
- Report any security issues, damage or vandalism immediately.
Safeguarding
All staff at Ordsall Primary School share responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils. The postholder must:
- Complete required safeguarding and child-protection training.
- Adhere to school safeguarding and H&S policies at all times.
- Report any concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Headteacher.
Person Specification (Summary)
Essential
- Experience in caretaking, premises or maintenance work.
- Sound knowledge of health and safety, including fire safety, legionella, asbestos and working at height.
- Ability to complete basic repairs, maintenance and compliance checks.
- Good communication and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritise tasks and respond to emergencies effectively.
- Understanding of safeguarding within a school context.
Desirable
- Relevant H&S or compliance training (e.g. COSHH, Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Asbestos Awareness).
- Experience in an educational or public-sector setting.
Additional Information
- Occasional flexibility in working hours may be required to support school events, emergencies or site access.
- This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
What the school offers its staff
Wonderful children who are keen to learn and ‘be the best that they can be’.
A happy, welcoming working environment where you are known, valued and part of the team.
A caring, inclusive ethos where every child and every member of staff is respected and supported.
A dedicated, friendly staff and governing body who are committed to inclusion and to developing children’s personal, social and emotional skills, with a strong belief that every child can achieve their true potential.
A positive, “can-do” culture with a strong enthusiasm for learning, teamwork and continuous improvement.
Generous employment benefits, including:
-
enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
-
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-year staff)
Opportunities for further professional development relevant to site management, health and safety and safeguarding.
Supportive and engaged parents and carers who value the school and its staff.
Further information about the job
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.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Ordsall Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 578 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Ordsall Primary School website
- Email address
- btovey@ordsallprimary.com
- Phone number
- 01777702852
At Ordsall Primary School it is our mission to provide all our children with an exciting, meaningful and memorable experience within a secure and stimulating environment. We want everyone within our school community to develop pride, perseverance and personal responsibility so that there is a culture where everyone is valued and is able to fulfill their potential. We strive to ensure that everyone works together in partnership to engender within themselves a respect for the environment, the world, themselves and others, so that we learn to celebrate differences, in order to promote the inclusive participation of all.
Arranging a visit to Ordsall Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email btovey@ordsallprimary.com.
School location
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