Lead Caretaker
Pioneer House High School, Manchester, M23 0FF13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as all pre-employment checks are complete
Closing date
19 October 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
6 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time (Can be done as a job share): 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Grade 5 - £29,064 - £32,061
What skills and experience we're looking for
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Caretaker to join our fantastic team at Pioneer House High School. This is a key role within our school community, helping to ensure our premises are safe, clean, and well-maintained so that students and staff can thrive.
This is a permanent, full-time role 35 hours per week, all year round, with a starting salary of £29,064 Grade 5. The successful candidate will join us as soon as pre-employment checks are complete.About the role: As Lead Caretaker, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Site Manager and overseeing the day-to-day management and maintenance of the school site. You will be responsible for:
- Managing and developing the school’s buildings and specialist facilities
- Acting as a keyholder and managing site security, including alarms and CCTV
- Delivering hands-on site caretaking, including cleanliness and site presentation
- Leading in the delivery of the school’s Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme
- Ensuring statutory checks are completed and recorded (fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.)
- Supporting grounds maintenance and maintaining safe access during all weather conditions
- Coordinating repairs, overseeing contractors and managing the estates helpdesk system
- Line manage other members of estates team, including recruitment, performance, and development
- Monitor health & safety compliance across the site and address any issues promptly
- Take a proactive role in site security and emergency response
- Work closely with cleaning and catering contractors, where required
- Support school events by managing site set-up and logistics
Who we’re looking for:
We’re seeking a dedicated and experienced professional with:
- Significant experience in a similar site/estates management role, ideally in a school or similar environment
- Excellent knowledge of health and safety, hygiene procedures, and site compliance
- Confidence managing staff and external contractors
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly and independently
- Hands-on maintenance skills and the ability to respond to emergencies effectively
- IT literacy and experience using facilities systems and records
- Relevant health & safety training and a full driving licence would be advantageous.
How to Apply
Please follow the online application process to be considered, the advert will close on Sunday 19th October.Interviews are scheduled to take place in person towards the end of October.To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.
All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.
What the school offers its staff
Working for Prospere Learning Trust
Great schools thrive because of the great people in them.We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.
- High quality CPD for all roles
- Bupa Level 1 Health Plan- annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
- Generous Pension Contribution- over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
- Good holidays –teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document;non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays,increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
- Cyclescheme- save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
- Employee Assistance Programmes- including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
- Credit Union- regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
- Flexible working options- we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
- Mental Health First Aid in every school
- Blue Light Card- discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
- bYond cashback card- spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases
Visit our website to learn more about our Trust:prospere.org.uk
Pioneer House High School
Pioneer House High School is a special school located in Northern Moor which provides 100 day places for 11 to 19 year old pupils, with a unique focus in preparing pupils with significant additional needs, to become independent and productive adults. The school has a strong vocational emphasis and pupils will have the potential to progress on to supported or independent employment/internships/apprenticeships or college.
The school was opened in 2016 and moved to a new, purpose built, site in 2017 which hosts a range of facilities including a one-bedroom bungalow, poly-tunnel and horticultural area, a purpose built catering and hospitality kitchen and construction area. We have recently expanded our site developing the student run Strawberry Fox Café, and additional learning and social spaces.
Following our first Ofsted inspection in 2019, Pioneer House was graded Outstanding in all areas.
“Leaders’ investment in their staff is paying dividends. Leaders are adept at talent spotting, committed to helping staff develop their careers and confident to let staff take risks and try things out for themselves. This approach has helped them establish a successful team.”
Visit our website to learn more about our school community:https://www.pioneerhouse.net/
Job Application Information
Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.
Safeguarding Commitment
All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
Equality Statement
Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
For application packs or support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or jobs@prospere.org.uk.
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Pioneer House High School
- School type
- Free School, ages 11 to 19
- School size
- 156 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Pioneer House High School website
- Email address
- jobs@prospere.org.uk
Pioneer House High School is a special school located in Northern Moor which provides 100 day places for 11 to 19 year old pupils, with a unique focus in preparing pupils with significant additional needs, aged 11-19, to become independent and productive adults. The school has a strong vocational emphasis and pupils will have the potential to progress on to supported or independent employment/internships/apprenticeships or college.
The school was opened in 2016 and moved to a new, purpose built, site in 2017. It has a range of facilities including a one-bedroom bungalow, poly-tunnel, wooded area and play areas.
The school has been described as warm and welcoming by Ofsted, who completed their first inspection in May 2019, rating the school outstanding.
School location
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