Houseperson/Handyperson
Sevenoaks School
Sevenoaks
- Expired
- Job type:
- Part Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 10 December 2019
Job overview
Houseperson/Handyperson
The Role
Primary purpose of role:
This position covers a wide range of duties and skills, some of which are listed below. The applicant should be able to work unsupervised and to plan work in terms of time and materials to maximize efficiency. The Houseperson should ensure that good Health & Safety practice is followed at all times and should be discreet, with initiative and able to get on well with the other members of house staff.
Key Responsibilities (non-exhaustive list)
The key duties are:
- Carry out basic repairs around the house.
- Complete job requests for the Estates Department where necessary.
- Check lights, inside and out, regularly.
- Check and unblock drains and gutters as needed.
- Sweep and tidy exterior surfaces.
- Maintain garden areas as directed by the Housemaster/mistress or Estates Manager.
- Clear paths of snow, spreading salt on pathways in icy conditions etc.
- Assist cleaners in moving furniture for cleaning etc.
- Carry out carpet cleaning.
- Put out refuse for collection, in accordance with the school’s recycling scheme policy.
- Check the house’s fire alarm system and adhere to safety regulations as instructed.
- Carry out testing of portable electrical appliances.
- Basic maintenance of house equipment (changing filters on vacuum cleaners, descaling kettles and irons, checking toasters etc.)
- Carry out minor repairs to washing machines /tumble driers/cookers or refer to Estates.
- Check time clocks/thermostats when necessary.
- Removal and descaling of shower heads on a regular basis.
- Cleaning of shower/bath outlets of hair etc.
- Decorating/touching in as required.
- Checking and cleaning of extractor fan grills.
Responsibilities during school holidays / at the beginning and end of terms:
- Removal of curtains at cleaners’ request for dry cleaning/washing.
- Cleaning/repairing curtain rails/pelmets as required.
- Removal of shower curtains for washing.
- Sanding down and varnishing of furniture, shelving, woodwork etc. as required.
- Wiping down/dust lamp shades/covers periodically.
- Helping students and parents with moving trunks and suitcases.
- Storing trunks and maintaining trunk room in good order.
Hours of Work
08:30 to 12:30 Monday to Friday, although this can be flexible for the right candidate. There may be a requirement for some additional hours at the start and end of each term.
Salary
£11.51 per hour (normally for 20 hours per week). This figure is reviewed on an annual basis with any increases taking effect from 1 September of that year.
Pension
Membership of the school’s defined contribution pension scheme is available (includes life assurance). Those staff who choose not to join the GPP but meet the eligibility criteria for Auto-enrollment, will be automatically enrolled into the School’s Auto-enrollment pension scheme. More information is available from the Human Resources Team.
Holidays
Entitlement is 33 days paid holiday per annum including public holidays (pro-rata’d). The holiday year runs from 1st Jan- 31st Dec. Half terms are not entitled holidays. Holiday may not, without prior agreement, be taken during term time.
Offer
The successful applicant will be offered the role subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including but not limited to; an enhanced DBS check, the taking up and verification of references, the verification of career history and an online health check. We also reserve the right to contact any previous employers for a reference request on your behalf.
Child Protection
All staff have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact and are required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, a member of staff becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must immediately report their concerns to the Deputy Head (Pastoral).
Application
If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete the online support staff application form at: https://www.sevenoaksschool.org/support-vacancies/ . The form must be completed in full and submitted electronically. CV’s can also be submitted but cannot replace any information on the application form which should be submitted in full.
Attached documents
About Sevenoaks School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.
Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years. For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.
In 2023, the average Diploma score was 39.0 points, about eight points above the world average. The Higher Education department supported applications of 246 students to universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong with an outstanding 93 per cent progressing to their firm choice university. The majority attend Oxbridge, London universities, or other Russell Group universities such as Bristol or Durham. We also support about 20 per cent of our students in applying to international universities with increasing numbers going to North America, specifically Ivy League and top universities in the United States.
The school is situated in the Kent market town of Sevenoaks and has a prime position at the top of the high street. The 100-acre site, which includes several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole. London is only a 30-minute train ride away. Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes by car, and there are good transport links to other London airports and the Channel Tunnel.
Sevenoaks students have access to a fantastic range of facilities on campus for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme. Recent developments on campus include a superb sports centre, and a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, and a world-class Science and Technology Centre and a Global Study Centre for the Sixth Form. An additional boarding house for boys, a contemporary building with light, modern facilities, opened in 2019, and a new girls’ boarding house is expected to open in 2024.
With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly, and busy. Boarding provides an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity; the Sixth Form boarding houses enable boys and girls to enjoy the benefits of boarding at an important stage in their school careers, and to prepare for life at university.
Accolades
In 2018 Sevenoaks School was, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year. In the same year, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the highest grade – ‘Excellent’ – in both categories which formed the basis of the inspection: ‘Pupils’ Achievement’ and ‘Pupils’ Personal Development’.
Teaching at Sevenoaks:
Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour. Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.
We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners. Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates. We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage. All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.
All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care. All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools. Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.
What people say about us:
‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.
The International Baccalaureate
All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset. Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.
Please 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.