Caretaker Reading, England
Job description
JOB DESCRIPTION
School: Brookfields School Location: Tilehurst, West Berkshire
Job Title: Caretaker Grade / Salary Range: Band D
JOB PURPOSE
The Caretaker will undertake the duties outlined in his conditions of service.
In particular, the duties outlined below will apply for the Brookfields School site. The duties listed are not exhaustive but they do serve as a guide as to what the main duties are. It is important to remember that the Caretaker is subject to the immediate day to day supervision of the Headteacher or his / her delegated representative.
DESIGNATION OF POST AND POSITION WITHIN THE SCHOOLS STAFFING STRUCTURE
Headteacher
School Business Manager
Site Controller
Caretaker
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.
To recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and
others and to comply with the Schools Health and Safety policy and any school-specific procedures / rules
that apply to this role.
To promote the welfare of children and to support the school in safeguarding children though relevant
policies and procedures.
Security of Premises
Start of the Day
- Unlock gates to school grounds and external entrance doors to school buildings and disable alarms
- Patrol school to ensure no burglaries have occurred, switching on any lights and heaters and opening windows as required
- Unlock interior doors as necessary
Daytime
- Be vigilant whilst on duty and aware of the security needs of the premises, including preventing trespassing and unauthorised parking
End of the Day
- Patrol premises, checking that all windows are closed and all light sources other than those required for safety or security reasons are extinguished
- Lock interior doors as necessary
- Lock external / entrance doors and gates to grounds
- Set alarm systems
- To respond to sounding of security systems and take necessary action as a principal keyholder. To be the first contact for emergency services
Heating Systems
All heating systems to be maintained as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and operated to maintain agreed temperatures. The importance of regular routine servicing with full regard to safety requirements is stressed. The main duties of the Caretaker are as follows:
Gas Fired Boilers
- Checking the temperature gauges
- Checking the pressure gauge
- Ensure boilers are switched back on after Fire Alarm testing
- Check running and cycle to different boiler monthly
Air Convector Heathers
- Switch on / off
- External cleaning of heater as required
Gas Fired Room Heathers
- Ignite / switch off pilot light
- Switch electrical circuit on / off
Electric / Gas Fires / Water Heaters
- Switch on / off
- Check for correct functioning
Replacing Light Bulbs / Tubes
Duties including the checking of diffusers and checking and replacing as necessary of all electric filament lamp bulbs and fluorescent tubes, taking full account of the safety requirements surround the task and the availability of suitable access equipment ie mobile scaffolding or a working platform. Industrial platform steps may be used when working at heights of less than 11 feet
General Porterage
The receipt, transportation and storage of deliveries to schools of educational materials, consumable stores, mail, furniture and porterage of goods around the school / site
Ordering / Replenishing Materials
The ordering of caretaking and cleaning materials (subject to the counter signature of the Headteacher), storing of materials and drawing from store as required ensuring a regular and consistent supply. Monitor stocks to reduce incidences of theft.
Furniture Handling
- This includes the handling, setting out, clearing away and re-stacking of chairs before and after morning assembly and would also include any need for moving furniture between rooms etc at other times. Due regard should be paid to the correct lifting techniques and procedures
- Reporting on the condition of furniture and fittings and undertaking repairs as required
Cleaning Outside Areas
- Emptying litter bins as required
- Keeping dustbin points clean
- Sweeping excessive dirt and dust from entrances
- Snow clearing from paths and precautions against ice
- Caretakers allocated area
Cleaning Drains
As and when practicable and necessary
Ancillary Activities
- Preparing for normal school activities, clearing up and cleaning after these activities
- Taking appropriate action and providing access in the event of fire, flood, breaking and entering, accident or major damage. Making available first aid facilities and equipment
- Testing fire alarms and automatic systems where fitted, maintaining emergency exit access and operation.
- Maintaining master clock systems according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Have knowledge of the school’s electrical circuitry and fuse board layout, replace fuses and reset circuit breakers, subject to limits set by the prevailing electrical regulations
- Have knowledge of water and gas circuits and control valves in order to direct engineers correctly for maintenance or to operate themselves in cases of emergency
- Dealing with enquiries from school staff, pupils, parents and members of the public or, if unable to help, referring them to the appropriate person
- Advising contractors on the layout of the school and the location of items to be repaired and of service points. Advising the Headteacher of, and (when in charge of site) acting on adverse conduct by contractors.
- Responding to Health and Safety issues as appropriate
- Detect and report building defects to the Headteacher or designated officer, undertaking minor repairs within level of competence and allowing for caretaking priorities
- Issuing soap, toilet rolls and paper towels and such other items as required by the School and listed in Appendix 1
- Ensuring that the grounds are maintained and kept tidy and equipment is kept in good order. This will involve adjustment of hours in the summer months
- Undertake general handyperson activities
Responsibilities - Cleaning
Caretakers cleaning duties as specified for:
- Any cleaning that is not the responsibility of the Cleaning Contractor in term time and School closure periods
- Monitor cleaning standards and liaise as necessary with the cleaning contractor over day to day requirements and standards, reporting any problems to the Headteacher or designated officer when on duty
- Carry out training of directly employed cleaning and / or caretaking staff
Responsibilities – Swimming Pools
This will include:
- Daily maintenance involving filtration, general cleaning and testing of water quality to ensure it meets recommended standards
- Handling and storing of chemicals in accordance with Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Regular check of grab rails, steps and fixings to ensure they are safe
- Monitor pool water levels for possible leaks
- Examine filters thoroughly on a regular basis
- Monitoring the computer controlled air conditioning unit to ensure adequate ventilation and air temperature
- Maintaining and cleaning the swimming pool and surrounding areas that are outside the responsibility of the
Cleaning Contractor
- During the summer months carry out a full clean, drain and refill of the pool
Lettings – Responsibilities of Brookfields staff
- Meet and greet person in charge of session. Ensure they have access to areas and facilities booked
- If required, access will be 10 minutes before let starts, unless another group is using facilities immediately beforehand
- Get responsible person to sign lettings sheet
- Give responsible person contact details and remain contactable (and nearby) until end of letting
- Resolve any problems reported during letting and immediately report any serious incidents to a member of the school leadership team
- Monitor that only requested facilities are being used, and for the period booked. Report variations to person in charge and to the Office
- Lock up buildings and secure premises at the end of last letting each day
- Return lettings sheet to Office first thing on Monday morning
- If another Brookfields’ employee is unlocking etc, then make sure that they have the relevant lettings sheet beforehand
- Be responsible for maintaining the MUGA
Other
- Review this job description and agree with Line Manager at least once a year
SCOPE OF JOB (Budgetary / Resource control, Impact)
- No direct budgetary responsibility
- Limited requisitioning of cleaning supplies
- Some control over the maintenance / supplies budgets
- Contribute to the planning of maintenance / supplies budgets and arrangements
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Caretaker School: Brookfields School
Reports to (job title): Site Controller Location: Tilehurst, West Berkshire
* E = Essential Criterion (required at point of recruitment) D = Desirable Criterion (can be developed over time)
KEY CRITERIA * E / D? C O N T E X T ( How the criterion will be used in the job)
Qualifications & Experience
- Relevant qualifications to include either GCSE English and Maths The qualification levels provide key guidance and training on working that is grades A to C or Sub level 2 vocational qualification E necessary for this role
- Working at height E
- Manual handling E
- Fire Safety E
- Health and Safety E
- Legionella E
- Pool Plant Operators D
Knowledge
- Awareness of and willing to promote the School’s social inclusion It is essential that all staff are aware of child protection and bullying issues to policies and practices E ensure the safety of all pupils
- Knowledge of appropriate Health and Safety requirements
Skills and Abilities
- Good planning and organisational skills
- Able to identify and carry out repairs and maintenance.
- Good basic DIY skills, including decorating.
Work-related Personal Qualities
- Working with other members of staff at all levels is a key requirement of the
- Confident and able to use own initiative E role to ensure that the school runs smoothly
- Awareness of child protection and bullying issues E To ensure the post holder is able to demonstrate the appropriate suitability to
- Willingness to work as part of a team E work with children
- Ability to form effective relationships with colleagues and students, understand professional boundaries and demonstrate suitability to work with children E
- Practical proactive and flexible approach to work. E
- Methodical and well organised E
Other Work-related Requirements
- Suitability to work with Children E
- DBS Check E
- Patient and resilient E
- Needs to be reasonably fit and active as some physical effort involved. E
- Willing to attend training E
- This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with
Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, and therefore the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English will be required. Conversing at ease with members of the public (including pupils), providing advice and using any specialist terminology appropriate to the role is essential to the post. E
Appendix 1
Week Commencing Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Unlock - including all fire doors
Toilets - restock hand towel, toilet roll and soap
Swimming Pool (am) - test and record
Bin Compound - tidy
Parcels
Clear rubbish from staffroom
Swimming Pool (pm) - test and record
Wall bins
Litter removal - driveway, pool area + turning circle
Lock Up - including shut all windows
Lettings
Litter - Whole Site
Escape Route Check
Fire Alarm Test and relight boilers (Tue & Fri) x x x
Fire Extinguisher and Fire Call Point check
Fire Exit Check
Playground bins
Maintenance - Check / replace light Tubes etc
Legionella
Maintenance - Vehicles Oil / Water / Lights / Tyres etc
Check supplies and reorder as necessary
(including pool)
Emergency Lighting Check (in rotation)
Hall Floors
Record the 5 x electricity meters, gas meter, photovoltaic and water meter readings
Planned Fire Evacuation Test (January / April /
July / September)
Check flat roofs & remove objects
6 Monthly Lettings Customer Refresher
6 Monthly Staff Fire Refresher
Clear accessible gutters
Clear debris from roof & roof drainage
6 Monthly (Nov / Monthly (first week
Weekly (any day) Daily
May) of month)
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £22,997.00-£24,596.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Wellness programme
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 17/04/2023
