Part-Time Caretaker

FIRS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Firs Road
Sale
Cheshire
M33 5EL
Phone 0161 973 7350
Email office@firs.trafford.sch.uk
Website www.firsprimary.co.uk

PART-TIME CARETAKER - Start Date:1 September 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Band 3, SCP 6-11 (£25,989* £28,142*) / Pro-Rata to part-time hours: £14,338* - £15,527* (*pay award pending)
20 hours per week worked as 4 hours per day from 2.15pm-6.15pm Monday to Friday during term time, with flexibility to increase a little over school holiday periods (additional hours paid), and flexibility across occasional evening or weekend events to support the school calendar (to be agreed in advance)
Part-Time, All Year Round
Permanent
Annual Leave: 26 days, plus bank holidays (rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service); annual leave is to be taken during the School holidays, with dates to be agreed with the Site Manager and approved by the School Business Manager

Due to a vacancy, the Governors seek to appoint a reliable and enthusiastic part-time Caretaker to join our friendly team. Experience of working in a School or other large premises is preferred, but training will be provided and the most important requirements are commitment to the role and reliability.

About the Role:
We are a larger than average primary school, with quite large grounds. Reporting to the Site Manager on a day-to-day basis (and liaison with the Senior Leadership Team (Head, Deputy Head and School Business Manager)), the Caretaker role is to ensure, alongside the Site Manager, all aspects of site and facilities management for School and grounds are maintained to a high standard.

Our Site Manager works 6.45am-2.45pm and the part-time Caretaker will support across the latter part of the school day, taking on supervisory duties for the after school team of in-house Cleaners and key-holding responsibility. During School holiday periods, there is flexibility to work additional hours and different shift patterns** to suit the operational requirements of the school. This would be discussed and agreed in advance.

**On occasion, there will be requirement for the part-time Caretaker to be flexible with their hours to allow for later locking up of the premises, e.g. after Governor meetings or School events, but notice would be provided for any such change in hours. There is also a request for flexibility around a change of working pattern over school holiday periods and also attending occasional weekend or evening events, e.g. Christmas or Summer Fairs, or parents’ evenings, where overtime would be payable.

Caretaker key duties include (but are not limited to:
Being a key holder for the School site
Secure and close the building at designated times, and/or open up if working flexibly during school holiday periods, including alarm setting
Opening the building at the start of the day (on occasion, e.g. if working a different shift pattern in the holidays)
Ensure the building and external areas are clean, tidy, free from litter and ready for daily use
Perform basic maintenance, repairs, and checks to maintain safety and functionality
Supervise the team of afternoon in-house Cleaners
Liaise with the school’s managed lettings partner regarding evening / out of hours hire of premises
Monitor stock of cleaning materials and inform Site Manager when supplies need replenishing
Work with the Site Manager regarding DIY projects and obtaining quotes from contractors
Liaise with the Senior Leadership team on a daily basis
Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and COSHH regulations
Support with setting up rooms for school events, assemblies, and meetings
Work collaboratively with staff to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the school site
Carry out general cleaning duties across classrooms, offices, toilets, and communal areas as required.
Undertake and record weekly fire alarm tests
Chaperone/supervise any external contractors working on-site
Perform key holding duties, including opening and/or closing the premises and ensuring the security and fire alarms are functioning correctly and be on 24 hour call-out for emergency, in conjunction with another key holder
Attend/complete any training deemed necessary to perform the role
Record information using online work management and compliance systems
Adhere to school policies and procedures relevant to the role
Commitment to safeguarding the young people and colleagues within our school community

NOTE: Because of the nature of the part-time Caretaker post it is not possible to specify all tasks. This summary is an outline of the key tasks.

About You:
Previous experience in in caretaking and/or cleaning work (preferable, but not essential)
Experience in a school or similar environment (preferable, but not essential)
Experience of computer systems and record keeping (preferable, but not essential)
Basic maintenance or handyperson / DIY skills (preferable, but not essential)
Experience of supervising teams (preferable, but not essential)
Punctual, reliable and able to work independently
Self-motivated and willing to learn
Able to provide a quality service
Willingness to work flexibly to suit operational requirements.
Committed to high standards of work
Proactive and a problem solver
Excellent communication and organisation skills
Able to work as part of a team
Have a caring, positive attitude and a friendly disposition
Able to respond to unforeseen activities quickly
Commitment to safeguarding and maintaining a safe environment for children
Respect for and willingness to support the ethos of the school

In return, we can offer:
A happy, supportive team of staff to work alongside
A caring, inclusive ethos in a school where every child and adult matters
A committed and dedicated team of governors
Access to training and professional development as is appropriate to the role
A supportive working environment in which you will be able to develop your skills
A School that is committed to nurturing the mental health and wellbeing of the staff, children and School community with extensive employee wellbeing services
26 days’ annual leave (rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service), plus bank holidays
Generous local government pensions scheme

Application Details
If you wish to arrange a visit to School, please contact the School office (0161 973 7350 or office@firs.trafford.sch.uk) and an appointment can be made with a member of SLT.

Applications can only be accepted via the accompanying application form. We are unable to consider standalone CVs. To apply, please view the job description and complete the application form. These may be downloaded from the Trafford Council job website (https://www.greater.jobs/trafford or the School website (https://www.firsprimary.co.uk/vacancies/

Completed application forms should be returned to office@firs.trafford.sch.uk marked FAO: the School Business Manager.

No agencies please.

Safeguarding Statement - Safer Recruitment
Firs Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. This commitment is reflected in our recruitment processes. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, Staff Disqualification Declaration and reference checks. The School also reserves the right to research shortlisted candidates on social media platforms and the internet, and the recruitment panel may take this information into consideration during the recruitment process.

Overseas Workers
Where you have lived or worked abroad (outside of the UK) for 12 months or more, continuously or in total over the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details on how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character or equivalent certificates of no criminal convictions:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants
Privacy Notice for Job Applicants
This is available on our school website: https://www.firsprimary.co.uk/vacancies/

Closing date Sunday 2 August 2026
Shortlisting Monday 3 August 2026
Meetings / Interviews Thursday 6 August 2026
Start Date 1st September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Applicants who are not contacted after the shortlisting date may assume that they have not been successful, but are thanked for their interest. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates who are not called for interview.