School Caretaker
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire. Employment: Full‑time, Permanent. Salary: £28,000+ per annum. Working Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Holiday: 7 weeks per year, to be taken during school holiday periods.
About the Job
Overstone Park School is recruiting an experienced, caring, and flexible team member to manage day‑to‑day operations including security, animal care, cleanliness, grounds maintenance, and the nursery pupil minibus service.
Job Purpose
The candidate will be responsible for:
* Security & safety of the school premises.
* Animal care for farm animals on weekdays and weekends.
* Maintaining cleanliness throughout the school.
* General grounds work and maintenance.
* Overseeing the minibus collection and drop‑off service for nursery pupils.
Duties
* Open the building for staff and lock all doors and windows when not in operation.
* Open and lock the school for users throughout the year.
* Care for farm animals, keeping habitats clean and feeding/watering them.
* Perform repairs, maintenance, and decorating tasks.
* Drive the school minibus for runs and other journeys.
* Inspect minibus, record and report findings daily.
* Monitor cleaning materials, tools and furniture and reorder as required.
* Ensure all doors and windows are locked when the building is not in use.
* Secure the school alarm system.
* Arrange chairs and tables for meetings or assemblies and clear them afterward.
* Assist in setting up and clearing up school events.
* Support the periodical deep cleaning programme.
* Care for animals over holidays and weekends.
* Clear snow, ice and other hazards from paths, entrances and essential areas.
* Serve as key holder and main contact for any alarm incidents.
* Adhere to contractual requirements and school health and safety policies.
* Conduct weekly fire checks and record findings.
* Participate in the school health and safety team.
Grounds & Estate Operative
Location: Estate. Contract Type: Full‑time, Permanent. Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience).
About The Estate
Large rural estate with landscaped grounds, woodland, parkland, formal gardens, open grassland and agricultural areas. We seek a proactive Grounds & Estate Operative with practical grounds experience and a genuine appreciation for large‑scale green environments.
Purpose of the Role
* Support ongoing maintenance and presentation of the estate’s extensive grounds.
* Ensure grounds are maintained to a high standard throughout the year.
* Contribute to the preservation of natural habitats, biodiversity and overall aesthetic quality.
Key Responsibilities
Grounds Maintenance
* Mow and maintain lawns and landscaped areas.
* Trim, edge, hedge cut and prune.
* Maintain woodland paths, driveways and access routes.
* Clear leaves and prepare grounds seasonally.
* Plant and maintain trees, shrubs and flower beds.
* Care ornamental gardens and green spaces.
* Manage invasive species where required.
Green Space & Environmental Care
* Support biodiversity initiatives and habitat management.
* Assist with woodland management and conservation tasks.
* Monitor tree health and report hazards.
* Maintain water features, ponds and drainage systems.
* Understand seasonal land management cycles.
General Estate Duties
* Repair fences and maintain boundaries.
* Carry out minor landscaping projects and improvements.
* Basic repairs to outdoor structures and fixtures.
* Assist with estate events preparation.
* Clear snow and gravel during winter.
* Support agricultural or estate operational needs.
Machinery & Equipment
* Operate ride‑on mowers, tractors, strimmers, hedge cutters and other grounds machinery.
* Maintain routine care of tools and equipment.
* Adhere to health and safety procedures when operating machinery.
Essential Experience & Skills
* Proven experience on large estates, parks or extensive grounds.
* Strong knowledge of grounds maintenance practices.
* Experience operating grounds machinery.
* Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weather.
* Good understanding of health and safety procedures.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Qualifications
* NVQ or equivalent horticultural or land‑based qualification.
* Chainsaw certification (e.g., NPTC).
* PA1/PA6 spraying certification.
* Knowledge of conservation and biodiversity practices.
* Experience with heritage or historic estates.
Personal Qualities
* Practical and hands‑on approach.
* Strong attention to detail in maintaining presentation standards.
* Reliable, punctual and hardworking.
* Respectful of the rural environment and estate property.
* Take pride in maintaining green spaces to a high standard.
What We Offer
* Opportunity to work within a large, scenic rural estate environment.
* Varied and engaging work across multiple landscapes.
* Long‑term stability within an established estate team.
* Competitive salary dependent on experience.
Person Specifications
* Reliable, punctual, honest and with high integrity.
* Good team member, flexible and environmentally aware.
* Capable of working accurately and safely.
* Ability to work with ponies, small farm animals and other small animals housed in the school.
* Carpentry and general maintenance skills essential.
* Comfortable using hand and ride‑on lawnmowers and garden tools.
* Good interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to organisational change.
* Self‑directed and able to work independently.
* Passionate and enthusiastic when working with children; pupils are a priority.
* Accountable for all tasks completed and open to constructive criticism.
* Willingness to conduct health and safety training.
* Uniform provided: 2 polo shirts, fleece, 2 pairs of black work trousers.
* Clean driving licence required.
* Successful applicant will complete a DBS and all relevant checks.
Safeguarding Statement for Safer Recruitment
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children. Robust recruitment and selection procedures ensure candidates are appropriate and fully screened prior to appointment.
The school is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as the work involves contact with children who are a vulnerable group. Applicants for school‑based jobs must disclose all spent and unspent convictions.
Pre‑employment Checks
* References.
* Occupational Health pre‑employment screening.
* DBS check.
* Barred list check.
* Section 128 check.
* Overseas criminal records check.
* Identity check.
* Right to work in the UK.
* Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role.
* All job offers will be conditioned on satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks.
Contact
* Email: v.brown@opschool.org.uk
* Phone: 01604 969232
* Address: Overstone Park School, Overstone, Northampton, NN6 ODT
About Overstone Park School
A non‑selective independent school registered with DFE and ISI for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 years.
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