Job Title : Caretaker
Reference Number : ELTLP
Working Hours: 36 hours per week
Working Weeks: 52 hours per week
Salary Scale Range: NJC 5
Actual Salary: £25,583
Contract Type: Fixed Term to 31/08/2026
Start Date: 3rd November 2025 – or as soon as possible
Location (school name and address): Dowson Primary Academy, Marlborough Road, Gee Cross, SK14 5HU
About us
Dowson is a friendly, happy, 2 form entry Primary School spread across a three-building site with wonderful grounds and resources to offer. We are fully extended and run our own Before and After School and Holiday Club. The successful candidate would be joining a large staff team with a mix of skills and experience which values flexibility, teamwork and a good sense of humour.
About the role
Dowson Primary Academy requires a Site Caretaker to commence work as soon after successful offer as possible.
You will be responsible to the Academy Business Manager and Principal. The fundamental part of the role will be the premises management of the academy buildings and grounds.
What we are looking for
Please see the details job description and person specification for full details of the role.
What we can offer
Membership of GMPF Pension Scheme
Opportunities for development and progression
Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured
Cycle to Work Scheme
Octopus EV Scheme
Lifestyle savings
Working arrangements
Detail working pattern
Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:15pm
Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm
For more information, please contact Nicola Lane, Academy Business Manager
Details of visits to school are welcome please contact the school office on
How to apply
You can apply for this position by visitingThe Enquire Learning Trust website - vacancies
Closing date and time: Monday 6th October Midday
Shortlisting: Tuesday 7th October
Interview Date: Friday 10th October
DBS/Safeguarding Statement
The Enquire Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As this post involves access to children or vulnerable adults, the successful applicant will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS
Key Role/Functions
The fundamental part of the role will be premises management of the academy buildings and grounds. This entails the maintenance and security of the building and grounds, ensuring the cleanliness of the site as a welcoming, safe and secure environment for pupils, staff and visitors, and taking responsibility for ensuring full compliance with current health and safety legislation.
You must also be willing to undertake routine maintenance, including painting and decorating, DIY and general repairs. There will be some later working on occasions for special events and parents' evenings in which flexibility is essential. The Caretaker is expected to attend to emergencies outside of academy hours, therefore a full driving licence is essential, unless local.
You will be responsible for some record keeping in respect of maintenance and health & safety and therefore possess strong ICT, literacy and numeracy skills.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Grounds and buildings management
· To be responsible for opening and closing the building as required and setting the intruder alarm system (all year round including non-term time). (In the absence of the split-shift caretaker, you will be required to adjust hours accordingly to facilitate the opening and closing of school)
· To act as primary key holder and to attend the building outside normal working hours in the event of emergency call-out.
· To ensure all contractors entering the building are inducted, accounted for and safe to work
· Facilitate contractors whilst any works are being carried out around the site ensuring that work does not compromise all associated with the academy's safety.
· To be responsible for the contents of the building, including maintaining inventory records.
· Consult and co-operate with the Trust and Academy Senior Leadership Team on large projects. Lead small projects and ensure they are on time and within budget.
· Undertake initiatives to improve cost effectiveness of the academy.
Health & Safety / Compliance
· Assist with external audits, inspections and premises reviews and ensure all actions and requirements from inspections and audits are completed in a prompt manner.
· Maintain the schedule of servicing and inspection program and ensure statutory servicing and planned preventative maintenance arrangements are in place.
· Proactive and reactive monitoring of academy buildings and equipment.
· To be responsible for compliance with relevant health & safety legislation, (inc. asbestos, fire, ladders, equipment, water systems, electrical, etc.) and to attend relevant / mandatory training where required.
· To ensure policies and procedures as outlined by Trust and academy management are adhered to.
· Undertake routine safety inspections, checks and tours and maintain full comprehensive record-keeping of these.
· Consult and co-operate with the Trust and Academy Senior Leadership Team with any Health & Safety / Premises related matters.
General Maintenance
· To carry out repairs to maintain or improve the aesthetics of the site in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team or Business Manager.
· To support and assist the site cleaning team in maintaining cleaning standards across the Academy.
· To remove snow and ice from entrances, pathways and playgrounds and ensure they are safe for pupils, parents, staff and visitors to access academy, in accordance with the site snow plan.
· Stock management of caretaking consumables to ensure stocks are held securely for use in academy, in line with COSHH regulations. Ordering of goods in line with agreed procurement policy.
· Porterage of goods, equipment and furniture as required and ensuring general housekeeping within the buildings is at the required standards.
· Ensure health and safety throughout the academy grounds with daily maintenance walks.
· Ensure the tree line is regularly monitored and issues acted upon promptly.
Customer care
· To treat pupils, parents, staff, visitors and contractors with care, consideration and courtesy in accordance with the academy's ethos and values.
· To manage a system of work to ensure issues reported by staff and management are remedied in a prompt manner, keeping all parties informed of progress.
· To present high standards of personal appearance in accordance with the academy's ethos and values.
· To promote a favourable image of the Trust and the academy to all building users in all aspects of the Caretaker role.
Other
· To maintain confidentiality at all times in respect of the Trust and the academy related matters.
· To be flexible as to hours/ shifts worked to meet the requirements of the academy during both term time & academy holidays.
· Any other reasonable duties as directed by the Business Manager, Head of Academy and Senior Leadership team.
· Co-operate with and undertakes duties as reasonable requested by the Trusts Estate Office.
· Operate the academy within the confines of the Management of Premises & Facilities Toolkit.
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 10 months
Pay: £25,583.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person