Estates Operative

Full-time, permanent, required as soon as possible

Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 130 schools in the country and is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399, moving to our present site in 1852. The school is co-educational with 1100 pupils aged between 3 months and 18 years, and we are regularly ranked as Suffolk’s top independent school.

The School benefits from a dedicated team of Estates staff who work to maintain and continually improve the School’s buildings and grounds. The role is interesting and varied and is crucial to the smooth running of the School.

We are currently looking for Estates Operatives who can undertake general estates duties. This will include maintenance across the estate, site security, movement of furniture, cleaning and keeping the site litter free, reporting repairs and controlling access for contractors. There may be opportunities to gain more trade skills and experience, and progress your career with us, through both ‘on the job training’ and certified external training schemes. Please note that the role is very physically active and involves lifting, carrying and moving heavy or bulky items and equipment, as well as traversing our large site on foot throughout the day.   

The working hours are 40 hours a week, working on a rota consisting of 5 x 8-hour shifts covering the School’s main opening hours, which are typically from 7am to 10.30pm Mondays to Sunday. Occasionally you will be asked to cover later bookings. On-Call responsibilities are included in this role; this part of the role will be on a rota and will also offer additional cover for sickness and holidays.

Benefits

●       Your starting salary will be between £26,561.60 and £28,641.60 per annum (for a 40 hour week plus on call responsibilities as detailed above), and will depend on your skills and experience.

●       You will be entitled to 20 working days paid holiday per year, plus public holidays. Once extra day’s holiday may be taken for each completed 2 years’ of service, up to a maximum of 5 extra days.

●       You will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme (with 10% employer contributions), and you will benefit from 3x death in service cover.

●       After 3+ years’ service with the School you will be entitled to a generous fee remission.

●       You will have access to Smarthealth, an employee wellbeing app with 24/7 GP access and mental health support.

●       We offer free lunch in the dining hall during term time, and free use of the School’s swimming pool and gym.

We would encourage you to download and application form and a full job description for this role from our website: www.ipswich.school/vacancies or contact the HR team on 01473 408300 hr@ipswich.school. Completed application forms should be returned by noon on 17 June 2025 to the Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or email hr@ipswich.school   

Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 23rd June 2025.

Please remember to complete and return an application form, we cannot accept CVs in place of a fully completed application form for a role that involves working in our Estates department in a school environment.

PLEASE NOTE

●         Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. 

●         Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children and young people they are responsible for, or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (the Senior Deputy Head, Pastoral for Senior School pupils, the Prep Deputy Head for Prep pupils and the Nursery Manager for The Lodge Day Nursery).

●         Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.

●         Applicants are advised that in the interests of the health and safety of all its pupils and employees, Ipswich School operates a No Smoking Policy and employees are expected to comply with the statutory restriction on smoking in public places.