Premises Operative

About the role: We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Premises Operative to join our existing team from late August 2021. The successful candidate will be expected to work across our Tonbridge cluster of schools (Paddock Wood Primary, Marden Primary, Horsmonden Primary and Mascalls Academy) however, the role is primarily based at Paddock Wood Primary Academy. This full-time position will assist the broader Site Team with the care of the Academy premises, ranging from general maintenance duties including minor repair and refurbishment works, porterage and other duties, supporting the Site Manager in ensuring the health and safety and security of a busy academy.

Applicants should be trustworthy, reliable, hard working, physically fit, conscientious and be able to work independently or as part of a team. Ideally you will have good DIY skills, some knowledge of Health & Safety, basic IT skills and an understanding of Safeguarding.

This permanent position offers an actual salary of £17,809 per annum based on 37 hours per week. Please be aware that interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis, therefore, we strongly encourage early applications.

Working at our school: Paddock Wood Primary Academy is a comparatively large school (22 classes/600+ pupils), set in the town of Paddock Wood in the Kent countryside. It is a thriving and engaging three-form entry school in the heart of West Kent. Our ethos encapsulates high standards and expectations, excellent learning and teaching, and the positive wellbeing of our pupils and colleagues. We have a strong and committed teaching team which is widely respected and supported by our academy community. Our teachers vary in experience from Newly Qualified to 30+ years, and each brings something valuable to share, and a passion to learn. Our staff team totals 67 (32 teachers, 18 teaching assistants and 17 others) and we have a lot to offer new colleagues, in terms of sharing experience and opportunities, and professional development and training.

We directly employ our own SEN department, comprising Numbers Count and Reading Recovery teachers, specialist Teaching Assistants, and our highly-skilled Inclusion Manager. Our wide curriculum is supported by specialist teachers of music, French, PE, computing and outdoor education. Some features that help us stand out from other schools are that all of our pupils learn French, learn other subjects in French and leave us conversant in the language, pupils leave us with a strong understanding and appreciation of music and sporting skills and that we embed independence, stamina and considered risk into children’s learning, for example through EYFS and KS1 team games and initiative exercises, Year 3 outdoor/forest skills, Y4 mountain biking, Year 5 caving and kayaking, and Year 6 skiing/snow-boarding. We have our own school minibuses and we very frequently take children out into the local area and into central London, as well as taking Year 5 pupils to the Brecon Beacons and Year 6 pupils to Paris. We have a strong regard for extra-curricular learning and a healthy catalogue of sporting and other successes and awards.

Our school is very well regarded, and as well as serving our local community we have a number of pupils (and staff!) who travel some distance to be with us every day. Our academy benefits from significant parent and community support, but we are not complacent - we are committed, hard-working and welcoming. Our children are delightful; calm, focused and very eager to learn.

Being a part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2020, our Trust will comprise 28 geographically organised academies (11 secondaries, 15 primaries and 2 special) educating over 16,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. We also have one further secondary academy in the development phase, due to open in September 2021. 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 providers and a large teaching school. 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.

Recruitment and hiring during COVID-19: Despite the challenges we face, recruitment and hiring will continue for all Leigh Academies Trust vacancies with as little disruption as possible over the coming weeks and months. This is for all senior, teaching and support staff appointments. Applications will still be reviewed and interviews conducted in a timely manner, although interview activities will vary. If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch with the LAT Talent Team - talent@latrust.org.uk

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.