About the role
As Caretaker, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and security of the school premises and grounds. You’ll ensure the site is clean, safe, secure, and well presented at all times, responding confidently to both planned tasks and unexpected challenges.
Your key responsibilities will include:
1. Locking and unlocking school buildings as required
2. Setting up rooms and outdoor areas (chairs, tables, garden spaces, events)
3. Carrying out day-to-day maintenance and minor repairs to fixtures and fittings
4. Responding promptly and effectively to maintenance issues as they arise
5. Ensuring all plant and equipment is maintained to required standards
6. Maintaining school grounds to a high standard
7. Supporting and assisting with school refurbishment projects
8. Porterage and general site support across the school
9. Monitoring the site for hazards and taking appropriate action
10. Ensuring Health & Safety policies and procedures are followed by all site users
Who We’re Looking For
You’ll be someone who:
11. Is practical, reliable, and takes real pride in keeping environments safe, clean, and well maintained
12. Brings a strong range of maintenance and DIY skills
13. Is proactive, organised, and has excellent attention to detail
14. Works confidently both independently and as part of a team
15. Remains calm, adaptable, and solutions-focused when unexpected issues arise
16. Has experience in building maintenance, cleaning, carpentry, or gardening (desirable)
17. Holds GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths
18. Holds a full UK Driving Licence (essential)
About us
Bower Lodge School is a brand-new specialist day school in Dibden, Southampton, for boys and girls aged 4–11 with a diagnosis of autism and a range of complex learning, communication, and sensory needs.
Our new Options Primary School has capacity for 40 pupils and is dedicated to providing a nurturing, inclusive, and tailored learning environment where autistic young people can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
19. Life Assurance
20. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
21. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
22. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
23. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
24. Cycle to Work Schemes
25. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
26. Critical illness cover
27. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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