Job Description

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY APPLICATIONS MADE USING OUR APPLICATION FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED. Download from https://www.westhouseprep.com/useful-info/vacancies/

West House School is seeking a full-time, all-year round Caretaker to start as soon as possible.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and friendly individual with the skills to organise and prioritise their workload, deliver excellent customer service for staff, pupils and external contractors, and be adaptable and flexible. A full, clean driving licence with the ability to drive a minibus would be highly desirable, along with qualifications and experience in lifting, manual handling, working at height, and operating standard grounds and garden machinery.

The role holder will report to the Bursar and work closely with the Grounds Person, and the Housekeeping and Catering Department.

Download an application form and job description from https://www.westhouseprep.com/useful-info/vacancies/

Reporting to: Bursar

Key tasks:

Caretaking

The role holder will be required to carry out all regular caretaking jobs around the school, including:

Distributing deliveries in a timely manner Moving furniture and other items, with assistance where required Looking after the school's tools and equipment, completing checks and training where relevant Carrying out statutory testing and checks on a regular basis, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire safety, meter readings and water checks Carrying out safety audits and risk assessments as required Communicating with and escorting contractors on site Locking and securing the school windows, doors, gates and alarms Responding to incidents when school alarms are triggered and attending the school site as necessary Emptying playground bins and collecting rubbish from around the site Assisting with school events, external lettings and access for contractors outside of normal school hours

Vehicles

The role holder will be a primary minibus driver and will be responsible for safe maintenance and upkeep of the minibuses on site.

Driving the minibuses on a regular basis for shuttle journeys, sports fixtures, school trips and swimming lessons as required Cleaning the minibus exteriors and interiors weekly. Carrying out minibus safety checks weekly and prior to taking the minibus out.

Maintenance

The School requires the role holder to be able to carry out basic, routine maintenance jobs, with assistance from external contractors as advised by the Bursar:

Painting, decorating and wood staining rooms and furniture around the school and grounds as required. Maintaining all fencing including the perimeter fencing around all-weather playing surfaces. Programming and maintaining the school's heating, radiator and boiler systems Carrying out any other general maintenance and repairs.

Grounds

The role holder will be required to assist the Grounds Person on occasion with grounds and gardening jobs, including:

Cutting and treating of lawns, grassed areas and onsite playing fields, using hand operated and ride on mowers and strimmers. Carrying out low-level seasonal pruning and basic gardening as required Marking out cricket pitches and running tracks Raking gravel areas Maintaining artificial surface pitches including weekly raking Ensuring that all playground areas and paths are free of leaves and debris at all times, kept tidy, and are gritted appropriately when required Clearing and maintaining the area to the front of the school buildings Assisting with the maintenance of the Forest School area in consultation with the Forest School team

General:

The role holder will be expected to be flexible and carry out any other duties as reasonably instructed by the Bursar, Headmaster or any other senior member of staff. In general, they will be expected to:

Work effectively as part of a team and to promote the smooth running and efficiency of the Bursar's department and caretaking of the school. Work within the agreed framework of the school's policies and procedures. Attend staff meetings, staff development and training as appropriate to your position. Carry out such other duties which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the department and the school. Liaise with outside agencies as appropriate. Keep all information regarding the school, pupils and staff completely confidential at all times.
This job description is not exhaustive. Other tasks and responsibilities may be allocated as necessary and reasonable from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential:

A good command of the English language First Aid training, or willingness to undertake training at start of employment Full, clean driving licence with own vehicle Minibus driving either as part of driving licence or separate qualification Experience of working in a caretaking/grounds/maintenance role Knowledge of health and safety requirements relating to caretaking e.g. COSHH, manual handling, working at height, etc. Proven ability to work as a member of a team Ability to prioritise and carry out specific requests in a timely manner Ability to work on own initiative Ability to communicate well with all stakeholders both verbally and in writing A flexible and self-motivated attitude A willingness to undertake training and development as required Willingness to promote and support the school's aims, ethos, safeguarding policies and procedures
Desirable:

Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) including Maths and English at grade C or above Facilities management qualification Experience of working in a school

Type of position

: Permanent, full-time, all-year round.

Salary

: 32,545.99 - 33,721.75 per annum (13.01 - 13.48 per hour) according to experience.

Hours of Work

:

: 7.30am to 6.15pm with 60 minutes unpaid break per day (48.75 hours per week)

: 7.30am to 5.15pm with 60 minutes unpaid break per day (46.25 hours per week)

Holidays:

22 days annual leave plus bank holidays, to be taken during school holiday and shut down periods.

Benefits:

Eligible for discount on school fees for pupils at West House School Nursery, West House School (for boys) and Edgbaston High School for Girls (subject to normal admissions procedures), eligible to join a Contributory Pension Scheme, free lunch and refreshments, free parking, Employee Assistance Programme including Wider Wallet discount scheme, Bike2Work scheme, enhanced Maternity scheme.

Start date:

As soon as possible

How to apply

To apply for this role, forward a completed application form (available for download from https://www.westhouseprep.com/useful-info/vacancies/) and a covering letter, outlining why you feel that your skills and experience would equip you to take on this role, by email to: recruitment@westhouseprep.com

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY APPLICATIONS MADE USING OUR APPLICATION FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The deadline for applications is

Monday 20th October at 9.00am.

Short listed candidates will be contacted to arrange a suitable time for interview in the week commencing

3rd November 2025.

West House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be required to undergo all statutory checks including an enhanced DBS check. A copy of the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy is available on the website.

This post involves working with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of the Offenders Act 1974 and all subsequent amendments. All convictions, police cautions or "bind overs", including any that would otherwise be considered "spent" under the Act must be disclosed, and will be taken into account in deciding whether to make an appointment.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 32,545.99-33,721.75 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Canteen Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Enhanced maternity leave Free flu jabs Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Licence/Certification:

D1 driving licence or minibus driving qualification (preferred)
Work Location: In person