Job Description

Downe House

West Berkshire

Salary:

Salary: 27,507 per annum

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

01 September 2025

Apply by:

20 August 2025

Job overview

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School Caretaker

Shift Pattern: 1.30pm - 9.00pm, Monday to Friday

Salary: 27,507 per annum

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls based in Cold Ash, near Thatcham. Our Estates team is committed to the upkeep of our attractive school site and ensuring the safety of pupils and staff at all times.

We are looking for an experienced and reliable Caretaker to join our friendly team. The duties are varied, including site security, responding to emergency requests, and undertaking a range of maintenance tasks. You will need previous maintenance experience, ideally in a school or hotel environment, and will also need to be proactive and trustworthy. A current driving licence is required.

Part of this role will involve covering as relief Caretaker (for up to 25 days of the year), where you will be required work the shift pattern of the Residential Caretaker including on-call overnight shifts - we will provide onsite accommodation for you during these shifts.

Main Duties

Carry out any minor maintenance tasks as directed by your manager, or that have been reported through the school system Act as out-of-hours site security Carry out the school 'lock up', including locking doors and windows, security inspections, and perimeter walks Liaise with house staff about maintenance issues in the boarding houses Assist with the set-up of events when required Ensure that health and safety standards are maintained at all times

Benefits Include

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas shutdown Delicious free meals while on duty Generous employer Pension Scheme, with employer contributions at 9% Life insurance & critical illness cover benefit Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply

Application forms can be downloaded from our website at https://www.downehouse.net/about/vacancies/





Please send completed application forms to recruitment@downehouse.net by the closing date 20th August 2025. We will review applications on receipt.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recruitment@downehouse.net

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Recruiter contact:

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Email us

Call us

About

Downe House

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Downe House

Cold Ash, Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9JJ
United Kingdom

+44 1635 200286

Situated in the town of Thatcham, in Berkshire, Downe House is an independent secondary school for girls aged between 11 and 18. It is both a day and boarding school. There are around 580 students enrolled at the school, the majority of whom are boarders. Downe House School was established in 1907 in Charles Darwin's formal home. It is located on 110 acres of land. There are 12 houses for those living on the campus. One of the houses is located in France where year eight students have the opportunity to spend a term.

Headteacher

Emma McKendrick

Values and Vision

Downe House aims to give every girl attending the school equal opportunities. The goal is for them to develop positive attitudes towards learning and become important figures in the local and global community. Children are encouraged to have excellent exam results, as well as personal development.

ISI Report

"There is positive leadership and a proactive approach to the health and well-being of the boarders. The health centre provides an outstanding service to the whole school. The welfare of pupils is at the heart of all the work that is done and the systems that are in place to support this aim. The pupils are well protected from harm with a written child protection policy that is regularly reviewed. The headmistress is the designated person in charge of child protection and works closely in this area with other members of the leadership team. Good attention is paid to overall health and safety matters supported by robust policies and comprehensive risk assessments."



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