Job Description

St Andrew's Prep, located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, is an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls from nursery age to Year 8. The school campus includes educational, sports, and residential facilities, blending historic and modern buildings.

We are seeking a practical, hands-on Estates Officer to join our dedicated Estates Team. This role is ideal for someone with general maintenance experience who enjoys varied tasks and takes pride in keeping school premises safe, clean, and well-maintained. The successful candidate will support the Estates Manager contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the school.

1. Job Title:

Estates Officer (with Maintenance Duties)

2. Responsible to:

Estates Manager

3. Job Summary:

To support the Estates Manager in ensuring the school site is safe, secure, clean, and well-maintained, contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the school.

4. Key Responsibilities

Undertake basic maintenance and repair work including plumbing, carpentry, painting, and minor building repairs. Respond to maintenance requests via the Helpdesk system and complete tasks in a timely and safe manner. Conduct regular site checks and compliance inspections (e.g. fire alarms, emergency lighting, water flushing). Carry out general caretaking duties including unlocking/locking buildings, setting up rooms for events, and supporting cleaning and porterage tasks. Support with setting up for school events and functions, including moving furniture and equipment. Assist with emergency cleaning tasks, including spillages and bodily fluids. Monitor and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies, reporting any shortages or faults. Ensure all work is carried out in line with Health & Safety regulations, risk assessments and school policies. Wear appropriate PPE, which is provided. Be a visible and approachable presence on site, supporting staff, pupils, and visitors as needed. Act as a point of contact for external contractors and hirers during the final hour of the school day. Understand and comply with the school's safeguarding and child protection policies. To be on the school's call out response rota with the alarm service provider and resident staff and attend the school out of hours in an emergency, as and when required in consultation with the Estates Manager. The post-holder receives an additional allowance for participating in the call-out rota. The post holder must be willing and able to work occasional evenings and weekends to support school events and functions, as advised by the Estates Manager. Time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted for any additional hours worked outside of the standard schedule.

5. Safeguarding Duties

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Statement and staff code of conduct at all times. The post holder will be engaging in regulated activity. There are particular safeguarding issues requiring attention for this post This role may require the postholder to be aware of protecting the physical safety of pupils and at times be in a setting that requires them to respect the privacy of pupils. They may be the responsible adult in a scenario and must be aware of all relevant procedures in that setting. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School they must report any concerns to the School's Designated Safeguarding Lead or, if they are the School's DSL, to the Headmaster and relevant agencies.

6. Person Specification

Essential

Practical experience in general maintenance or caretaking Basic knowledge of health and safety Ability to work independently and as part of a team Good communication and interpersonal skills Reliable, flexible, and proactive

Desirable

Experience in a school or similar environment Recognised trade or maintenance qualification Driving licence and own vehicle Experience with compliance checks Familiarity with Microsoft Office, PC and / or tablet use

7. Terms and Conditions:

Salary:

Total package 31,208. This is a fixed-term position until 31 August 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Hours of Work:

Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 5.45pm (37.5 hours/week), with one-hour unpaid lunch. Start and finish time is negotiable, and can be flexible, but must meet the operational needs of the school. Participation in out-of-hours call out rota.

Holiday:

25 days paid holiday, plus bank holidays and discretionary days between Christmas and New Year.

Pension Scheme:

After three months service you may be automatically enrolled into the Eastbourne College WorkSave Pension Scheme (details are available from the HR Department), depending on your level of earnings, however you may also choose to opt in to the pensions scheme. The College will contribute 5% of your gross salary and you will be expected to contribute 3% also. You may choose to opt out of the pension scheme.

Other Benefits:

Life cover of three times salary after two years' employment Free lunch in College Dining Room. Access to College sports facilities. Free tickets to College productions. Discounts at local businesses Employee Assistance Programme.

8. Application Process

To apply, please visit https://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/contact/employment-opportunities/ and click the 'Apply Now' button to complete the mandatory application form. An up-to-date CV and covering letter may be uploaded with this online application form.

The closing date for applications:

Friday 15 August 2025

For further information please contact Human Resources Department by email: hr@eastbourne-college.co.uk.

9. Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity Statements

Eastbourne College (Incorporated) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check, pre-employment medical questionnaire and positive references.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Charity is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Eastbourne College (Incorporated) welcomes applications from all sectors of the community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our pupil intake. We consider the most important factor to be the right skills, abilities and attitude for the job which will ultimately improve the wellbeing and education of the pupils.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 31,208.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site gym
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/08/2025