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Maintenance Assistant

Colfe's School

Greenwich

  • £31,000 - £34,000 per year
  • Expired
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
01 October 2025
Apply by:
8 August 2025

Job overview


We are seeking a proactive and reliable Maintenance Assistant to join our Maintenance Team, which is one of three teams within our Operations Department (the others being the School Keeping and Grounds Teams).

You will help maintain a built and natural estate that provides a safe, secure, and well-maintained environment, encouraging learning and complying with all legal requirements and statutory responsibilities. The successful candidate will deliver a range of duties and tasks to the highest standards complying with all legal requirements and responsibilities including: initial triage of maintenance issues, reactive repairs within competence, escalating issues and coordinating with external contractors where repairs are outside of your competence, and carrying out planned maintenance tasks.

Key Responsibilities:
You will be required to carry out a wide variety of tasks. They will vary widely from day-to-day and from area-to-area depending on the season and need and will be allocated by the Facilities Manager (Hard FM) on a routine basis, under strategic direction set by the Director of Operations & Estates. Typically, tasks may include:

Reactive Maintenance
• Promptly respond to maintenance requests, carrying out repairs and maintenance to the buildings, facilities, assets and infrastructure within your competence safely and to a high standard.
• Promptly escalate to the Facilities Manager (Hard FM) any repair and maintenance tasks that are beyond your competence.
• Support external contractors who are requested to undertake reactive maintenance tasks, meeting them at Reception, escorting them to the relevant area (remaining with them when required), providing assistance (as required within competency) and ensuring a worksheet is provided and reviewed prior to the contractor leaving site.
• Check the relevant building asbestos register before undertaking any works that may disturb an asbestos containing material.

Planned Maintenance & Compliance
• Conduct regular inspections of the school to promptly identify any issues with the building fabric, furniture, fittings and equipment - especially those which are a source of danger to others or affect the security of the building or the ability of staff and students to work or study – and carry out repairs and maintenance within your competence.
• Carry out routine inspections and tests on life safety systems (e.g., fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lights).
• Carry out planned preventative maintenance tasks such as checking fire doors, first aid kits, tap temperature monitoring, flushing infrequently used outlets etc.
• Ensure hand tools and equipment are correctly maintained and serviced and that they are kept in good and safe working order.
• Work with the Facilities Manager (Hard FM) to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and guidance as well as School policies and procedures.

General Duties
• Maintain records of maintenance work and inspections.
• Take delivery of stores, materials and other goods and conveying them to their points of storage/distribution.
• Use stepladders, leaning ladders and fall restraint equipment to safely work at height.
• Segregate and dispose of waste in accordance with School policy.
• Support the department in keeping the estate clean, safe, and well-presented.
• When required, assist with setting up and dismantling furniture/equipment for events.
• Work closely with School Keeping and Grounds staff and other colleagues within the Operations department on any areas of overlapping responsibility.
• Act as a first aider and fire warden, acting as a first point of contact for the emergency services when required.
• Any other task within capability as reasonably requested by the Headmaster, Bursar or Director of Operations & Estates.

Person Specification:

Essential
• Previous experience in a maintenance or facilities role.
• Ability to assess and triage maintenance issues effectively.
• The ability to undertake a wide range of maintenance tasks on your own initiative and without supervision such as general repairs, plumbing, drainage, painting and decorating and electrical tasks such as changing lamps.
• Able to work diligently and without supervision, as well as within a team.
• Proactive with a good eye for detail and proud of the work you undertake
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to work.
• An ability to work calmly, efficiently and professionally under pressure, and to meet tight deadlines and deal with minor maintenance emergencies if they should arise.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Understanding of health and safety systems and permits to work.
• Sufficient fitness to carry out the manual handling aspects of the role
• GCSE English & Maths Grade 4
• Competent at using computer and Microsoft applications e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel
• First aid certificate or willingness to undertake first aid training

Desirable
• Carpentry/joinery, electrical and glazing skills.
• Experience in supervising contractors.
• Previous experience working in an environment with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) where you are responsible for checking the asbestos register to ensure ACMs are not disturbed.
• Experience working with a CAFM system.
• IPAF PAL Card for operating MEWPs.
• PASMA Towers for Users.
• Experience working in a school or similar environment.
• Full driving licence valid for the UK, with fewer than 6 penalty points and no endorsements for serious convictions.
• D1 driving entitlement.

Application Procedure
The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete a Colfe’s School application form, accompanied by a letter of application setting out your evidence of suitability for the post, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures.

The application should be submitted electronically to: recruitment@colfes.com or by post to: Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe’s School, Horn Park Lane, London SE12 8AW. The closing date is Friday 8th August 2025. However, applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary.

Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.













Attached documents

About Colfe's School

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  • Colfe's School
  • Horn Park Lane
  • London
  • SE12 8AW
  • United Kingdom

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THE SCHOOL

Established in 1652, Colfe’s is an academically selective co-educational school for children aged 3-18, with around 1300 pupils across both the senior and junior schools. We have a record of academic excellence and outstanding pastoral care, but our ethos is as a real-world school, grounded in its local community - a part of the world, not apart from it. We are proud of our 360-year history but not burdened or defined by it.

Academic standards are high. In 2025, 97% of students went on to their chosen university including Oxbridge, medical school and Russell Group institutions. We were ranked 47th among all independent schools in the country in the 2025 Sunday Times Parent Power league table, and 14th for A-level performance.

Colfe’s offer outstanding scholarship opportunities, including academic and co-curricular scholarships at Year 7 and Year 12. We are particularly proud to offer the groundbreaking Leatherseller Scholarship Programme, providing fully funded, means-tested Sixth Form scholarships awarded to talented pupils based on academic potential and economic need.

Colfe’s Senior School has around 850 pupils. Entry is at Year 7 following the 11+ Entrance Examination. Approximately a third of the Year 7 pupils transition from the junior school, with two-thirds external candidates. Of these, the split is approximately 50-50 from independent and state-maintained primary schools.

Colfe’s is in Lee, a leafy corner of south-east London. We have excellent transport connections: the school is less than five minutes’ walk from Lee railway station with quick connections to central and outer London, and a short distance from Lewisham (railway and DLR) and Blackheath (railway). Many local bus routes serve the area.

FACILITIES AND CO-CURRICULAR

We have an abundance of green space, a performing arts and media centre, purpose-built theatre, sports centre with a full-size swimming pool and two additional extensive sports grounds. In sport, we compete in netball, rugby, hockey, swimming, water polo, cricket, football, athletics, cross-country, tennis and biathlon. Theatre productions, concerts and musical performances, art and photography exhibitions and dance performances punctuate the year. Pupils take part in many academic competitions from French debating competitions to STEM Olympiads.

Our dedicated Outdoor Education programme includes residential and day-long courses for pupils across the school. Enrichment trips, events and expeditions take place throughout the year, from museums and galleries, theatre productions and concerts to scientific symposiums and academic institutions. Trips abroad range from the ruins of Pompeii and natural wonders of Iceland to cultural trips to the most exciting European cities. These activities are only possible with staff involvement, and we support and encourage staff to participate. Co-curricular opportunities are plentiful, with an extensive range of clubs, societies and House activities.

WORKING AT COLFE’S

The wellbeing, personal and professional development of our staff is fundamental, and we value every member of staff for the part they play in the success of the school. Our staff community is supportive, inclusive and vibrant. Staff are relaxed without being casual, and professional without being stuffy. A Colfe’s teacher is dedicated and passionate, and will recognise, nurture and develop the potential in every child. Our support staff are talented professionals welcomed from a wide range of backgrounds.

Like our pupils, Colfe’s staff are diverse, ambitious, enthusiastic, and willing to have a go. Staff are supported to follow their passions and interests, and there is always something happening, whether it’s a staff football tournament, joining the staff band or an author talk. Staff are encouraged to join societies or sports teams, get involved in House and co-curricular activities or join the many enrichment trips that take place in London, across the UK and abroad.  There are also opportunities to take on additional responsibilities such as Head of House or Personal Tutor.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A high level of structured support and guidance (meeting statutory requirements) is provided to graduates, trainees and Early Career Teachers to ensure progression towards the successful completion of their training or induction period. We pride ourselves on the level of support and care given to teachers in the early stages of their careers.

There is an in-house programme of staff development, and all staff are encouraged and supported to take up external CPD opportunities.


STAFF BENEFITS

Competitive salaries

Generous pension provision

Protected time for training and professional development

Free lunches

Free use of sports centre, including fitness suite and swimming pool

Support with extracurricular involvement

Wellbeing support including access to a counsellor, medical professionals, and an activities programme

Use of a Microsoft Surface digital device

Fee concession (subject to usual Admissions policy)

Cycle to Work scheme

Excellent transport links to central and outer London


POLICIES

It is the school’s policy to recruit for each vacancy using objective criteria describing the skills, knowledge and experience requirements necessary for the role and to make appointments regardless of sex, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origins, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or perceived age or disability or of an applicant’s trade union membership or non-membership. Wherever possible, existing employees will be invited to apply for promotion opportunities when a suitable vacancy arises. Staff concerned with recruitment will ensure that they comply fully with the school’s equal opportunities policy at every stage of the recruitment process.

It is the policy and practice of the school to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. The school does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion or similar, philosophical belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability. In addition, all the school’s policies relating to recruitment, training and development, remuneration and compensation, benefits, promotion, demotion, transfers, disciplinary and severance matters are based solely on the qualifications and general performance of each individual and are administered to ensure equality of opportunity for all categories of employees.

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Applications closed