Job Description

Downsend School

Surrey

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Apply by:

2 November 2025

Job overview

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About the School - Downsend Sixth

We are incredibly proud to be opening Downsend Sixth and see this next chapter for Downsend School as an exciting and enticing prospect for both staff and students alike. The buildings, environment and experience will give our students an excellent foundation on which to build their own futures.

Downsend Sixth will have a different feel to other more traditional sixth form experiences, housed in its own newly renovated space near the centre of Leatherhead, there will remain a connection with the rest of the Downsend community, but students will have a much greater chance to cultivate independence, maturity and a real opportunity for personal growth. The building will have state of the art technology and facilities that will allow all students to develop and flourish.

Our curriculum is broad enough to give real depth to each individual and students will be supported by expert teachers who will deliver outstanding lessons. We will provide expert guidance on future pathways, whether that be going to university, into the world of work or starting an apprenticeship course.

At Downsend we are very conscious that the world our students will step into when they leave us is rapidly evolving and changing, and we have a critical role to play in preparing the global citizens and workforces of the future. Our Head of Futures, along with other staff will be on hand to help support and guide our students as they think about next steps.

In an increasingly interconnected world, future workers will be expected to collaborate with peers residing in various parts of the globe, understand cultural nuances and, in many cases, use digital tools to enable these new types of interactions. Our Future Skills programme will allow our students to connect with this wider world and being part of Cognita, a global educational group who have 108 schools located in 20 different countries, will facilitate so many more opportunities for these experiences to present themselves.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for a

Premises Assistant

to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 21 countries, in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, 'Thrive in a rapidly evolving world'.

About the role

In your new role as Premises Assistant, you will be assisting in promoting the education and welfare of pupils in line with Downsend School's aims and policies, this role involves working under the Head of Facilities to ensure the safety and security of the school sites. The position requires collaboration with the Premises team to handle general site maintenance, driving school minibuses, managing site security, and performing minor repairs and health and safety tasks.

Responsibilities include maintaining the premises, reporting hazards, unlocking and securing the site, responding to alarms, managing the car park, maintaining the swimming pool, and ensuring clear entrances. Additionally, you will be monitoring contractors, testing alarms, assisting with large displays, and moving furniture. This full-time, year-round role operates on a shift rota to support out-of-hours activities and lettings.

This is a permanent, full-time role immediately available.

To view our Role Profile, please click below.

Who we are looking for:

Excellent time management skills Practical skills (e.g. Carpentry, painting and decorating or plumbing repairs) Ability to drive the school minibus (desirable as full training will be provided) Excellent communication skills Flexible worker to ensure site coverage throughout and beyond the school day

Benefits at Cognita

Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience Free lunch provided during Term Time School holidays and public holidays Free parking on site (subject to availability) School fee discount Exclusive third-party discounts Professional Development

How to Apply

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is:

2nd November 2025

.

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.

Recruiter contact:

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Email us

Call us

About

Downsend School

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Downsend School

1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 8TJ
United Kingdom

+44 1372 385430

Introduction

At Downsend, we prepare children for the future with a creative and problem-solving approach to learning that not only inspires young minds, but fosters bravery, sparks imagination, celebrates innovation and creates opportunity every day.



From nursery through to A Levels, we provide the skills, motivation and inspiration for our students to be successful throughout their school journey and far beyond.



We have three Little Downsend locations in Ashtead, Epsom and Leatherhead. Each teaches children from the age of two to six. All the Little Downsend sites are overseen by the Head of Little Downsend, Mrs Lisa Burns, who instils the same ethos, high standards and innovative curriculum across each school through her dedicated team of experts.



The main school is located in Leatherhead and continues the same innovative, creative and academically excellent curriculum from Year 2 to Year 13. Over the last few years, Downsend has benefited from an 15m investment in brand new flexible teaching spaces and our cutting edge Creative Arts Centre opened summer 2022. The latest development at our main site saw the addition of a new Senior School teaching block, consisting of 5 contemporary classrooms.



Our 'Inspiring Young Minds' philosophy pervades all our schools and has resulted in some really creative teaching and learning initiatives across the schools, as well as fantastic enrichment opportunities, such as our tailor-made Stretch Programme.



The core curriculum provides a solid framework, preparing children well for their educational journey through Downsend. We achieve amazing success at all levels academically, and we have been delighted with our first cohorts of GCSE pupils who have achieved remarkable results in the last couple of years. We are delighted by their results, which are a testament to their hard work. With 100 % of all pupils securing the grades required for their first-choice onward destination.



It is the school's broader curriculum and strong pastoral support that particularly sets us apart, with an emphasis on practical subjects such as STEAM, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, Textiles and Food Technology.



The sporting programme offers scope for nearly every child to represent the school, with strong results achieved in both county and national competitions. The school's huge range of clubs, with more than 50 activities on offer each week, further enhances the schedule.



The active programme continues into the school holidays when Downsend+ takes over. Children have the opportunity to participate in horse riding, rock climbing, scuba diving, fashion design or any of the other activities that are on offer throughout the holiday weeks. The school also offers Downsend Early Years+, for younger girls and boys age 2 to 5, at Little Downsend Leatherhead. Combined with term time schooling, Downsend can offer 50 week provision for working parents.



Downsend School's newest addition, Downsend Sixth, opening in September 2025, offers a modern and innovative approach to post-16 education. Designed with a focus on future-ready skills, Downsend Sixth combines a personalised learning journey for students aged 16-18, with a balanced emphasis on academic achievement and personal development. Students will thrive in a unique, state-of-the-art environment featuring exceptional academic facilities alongside inspiring spaces for socialising and collaboration. This holistic approach ensures students are equipped not only for academic success but also for the challenges of an evolving, globalised world. Downsend Sixth prepares young people to excel, empowering them to take confident next steps into higher education, apprenticeships, or the workplace.



We are an incredibly friendly and supportive staff and we are looking for the right people to join us. So, if you are a great practitioner with a level of creativity and innovation to your teaching, would relish contributing to the extra-curricular life of school, are ambitious, and are happy to challenge and be challenged in a positive way for better outcomes for the children, then we want to hear from you.

Additional Benefits

Free on-site parking

Good road and rail transport links and proximity to London

School Fee remission after qualifying period

Childcare voucher scheme in operation

Holiday club discount

Free lunch available

Benefits of being a Cognita School

Cognita is an international group with over 90 schools in Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Asia, we employ 15,000+ teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 60,000 students.



Teaching excellence represents everything we stand for at Cognita. We're committed to hiring and retaining outstanding talent: teachers and school leaders who are passionate about their craft as well as functional leaders and professionals in our Head and Regional offices who can take the business forward.



We are looking for people who want to make a positive difference to children's lives, who can help us stretch and support children to achieve beyond expectation.



Our diverse portfolio of schools and Regional Offices, combined with our ongoing investment in the professional development of our people, means we can offer first-class career opportunities with a global dimension. If you want to take your career further, we want to support you in achieving that goal within Cognita. www.cognita.comPlease note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy

.