Painter & Decorator

Winchester College has an exciting opportunity to appoint a skilled Painter & Decorator to join our dedicated Works Department. Our school is custodian to an extraordinary portfolio of buildings—ranging from 14th-century chapel and historic boarding houses to 21st-century science laboratories and modern sports facilities. Working from our new, purpose-built facility in Norman Road, you will play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing this unique built environment, ensuring the College remains an inspirational place for pupils and staff alike.

The Role

Reporting to the Works Project Manager, you will work as part of a high-performing, multi-disciplined in-house maintenance team. You will be responsible for the aesthetic upkeep of 11 boarding houses, over 100 staff residences, and various academic buildings. This is a hands-on role that balances large-scale planned refurbishments with the agility required for day-to-day reactive maintenance.

Your key responsibilities include:

Decorating & Maintenance

• Comprehensive Decorating: Carrying out all aspects of painting and decorating across the College’s varied building stock, including internal and external surfaces.

• Refurbishment & Cyclical Works: Executing high-quality finishes on long-term refurbishment projects and cyclical maintenance programmes.

• Surface Preparation: Ensuring all surfaces are prepared, finished, and maintained to an exacting standard, with a focus on longevity and quality.

• Reactive Repairs: Responding efficiently to day-to-day maintenance requests to ensure the school facilities remain in top condition.

Safety & Standards

• Technical Precision: Interpreting drawings and specifications to ensure works meet architectural requirements.

• Safety & Efficiency: Completing all tasks safely and efficiently, adhering to department protocols and maintaining a clean, professional working environment.

• Quality Control: Taking personal responsibility for the "final look" of a project, ensuring excellent attention to detail in every brushstroke.

About You

We are looking for an experienced professional who takes immense pride in their craft. Whether you are working independently or as part of a larger team, you should possess the technical expertise to handle everything from modern coatings to the delicate requirements of our historic, listed buildings.

Professional Experience & Skills

• Proven Track Record: You should be an experienced Painter & Decorator, either through formal qualifications, being "time-served," or a combination of both.

• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of painting techniques, materials, and surface preparation is essential.

• Specialist Finishes: Competence in wallpapering and specialist finishes, such as glossing, spraying, and textured coatings.

• Aesthetic Sense: Excellent colour vision and a sharp eye for detail.

• Heritage Awareness: While not essential, specific experience with listed buildings and traditional decorating skills is highly advantageous.

Key Qualities

• Autonomy: The ability to work unsupervised and manage your time effectively to meet the demands of the College calendar.

• Demeanour: A welcoming, friendly, and professional manner when interacting with pupils, staff, and visitors.

• Inclusion: A commitment to promoting an inclusive culture with equality of opportunity for all.

What we offer

• Start Date: Flexible, with a preference for the successful candidate to commence as soon as possible.

• Salary: £32,824.00 (gross) per annum, paid in 12 equal monthly instalments.

• Hours of Work: This is a full-time role, 40 hours per week, plus such additional hours as are reasonably necessary to meet the needs of the College.

• Environment: The opportunity to work within a supportive, 30-strong team of operatives in a modern, purpose-built facility.

How to Apply

Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.

For the full job description and to apply please see here.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Thursday 2 April 2026.

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.

Diversity and Inclusion

Winchester College is a truly international community that celebrates everyone’s individuality, talents and potential and offers regular training and career development opportunities. We embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to promoting a fair and supportive environment for all our employees. We work hard to create a culture where different perspectives are valued and our staff feel valued for their individuality and share a sense of belonging. Our aim is to reflect the diverse nature of society and of our pupil body.

Safeguarding

Winchester College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children: applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, and obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services certificate. Staff will receive appropriate safeguarding training which is regularly updated.

Sustainability

Both staff and pupils at Winchester College are committed to being the most sustainable school possible