Premises Maintenance Operative (Caretaker)

About the role: Since opening in September 2021 and having a successful first year, Leigh Academy Rainham are now looking to expand their Site Team and are recruiting for the role of Premises Maintenance Operative (Caretaker). Our successful candidate will be a committed and self-motivated individual who not only enjoys being part of a team but also enjoys the responsibility that comes with solo-working. This position will assist the broader Site Team with the care of the school premises, a range of general maintenance duties within the buildings and the grounds whilst ensuring the security of school premises. It is an ideal opportunity to be involved in the implementation of processes and procedures to ensure the smooth running of the school facilities.

Our newly appointed Premises Maintenance Operative will assist the Site Manager to continue to develop a good working relationship with external contractors and in ensuring that the maintenance of the school is kept to the current high standards.

Our successful candidate will be trustworthy, reliable, hard-working, conscientious and be able to work independently or as part of a team. You will also need a good customer service manner as you may have to interact with external clients. You will have a general knowledge of Health & Safety, basic IT skills, a good understanding of safeguarding, be able to undertake basic maintenance tasks, and be responsible for the security of the building whilst on duty. Applicants will need a flexible approach to working hours and duties, occasionally.

This is a permanent, full time opportunity offering a salary of £20,393 per annum, starting from September 2022.​​​​​​​

Please see a breakdown below of the working hours for this position:​​​​​​​

Week 1 

6.30am - 2.30pm (Monday - Thursday) and 6.30am - 2.00pm (​​​​​​​Friday)

Week 2 

11.00am - 7.00pm (Monday - Thursday) and 11.00am - 6.30pm (Friday)

Do you know anyone that might be interested in a Caretaker/Premises Maintenance Operative role? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a 'thank you'. Simply email talent@latrust.org.uk with the candidates’ name and contact details and we will be in touch with them about potential opportunities across the Trust. *Please ensure to obtain the person's consent to share their personal details.

Benefits of working as a Caretaker at a Leigh Academies Trust site;

• 25 days annual leave per annum + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days + bank holidays based on 5 years' service 
• Full company closure and time off between Christmas and New Year
• You'll be part of a friendly and supportive team 
• A flexible and proactive ethos 
• Training and qualifications supported / encouraged 
• Mileage allowance for travel between sites 
• Paid overtime 
• Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) 
• Free, on-site parking at every site 
• Dedicated site office ​​​​​​​

About Leigh Academy Rainham: In September 2021, we opened our doors to the 180 founding students of our co educational comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds. Already oversubscribed, our new school is firmly set to be a beacon of excellence for secondary education in Medway. The wellbeing and success of each individual child is at the heart of everything and we are driven by the belief that it is our role to ensure all pupils develop an appreciation of the limitless possibilities ahead of them. Every learner is entitled to an enriching, varied and personalised education; delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum that provides challenge, irrespective of need, starting point or background. It is our ambition that in our highly inclusive setting, all our students will flourish, becoming inquiring, compassionate and culturally aware young adults. We will work together to embed the essential skills, knowledge and attributes needed to be highly successful in achieving their own personal goals, as caring members of our community and as leaders in tomorrow’s world.

Our strong learning community works together and shares the value of collaboration; every member of our academy family works together to achieve success, cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Our belief in human-scale education, delivered through our college model, ensures every one of our students is known and valued. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of our academy and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Working in a brand new school is a unique opportunity. A flexible approach with a can-do ethos is required, as is drive, grit and boundless enthusiasm. We will be looking to recruit a staff body that  has a multitude of talents to enable us to provide a rich academic and co-curricular offer from the outset and look forward to hearing what additional skills, talents and interests you could bring to a role at the Academy.  A sense of humour is also essential! 

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust comprises 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document . 

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the range of benefits available to all LAT staff.  

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units.  All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.  

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise.  We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date.  Applicants will be notified of this where possible.  Therefore, early applications are encouraged.