Caretaker

**School**:Brookfields School **Location**:Tilehurst, West Berkshire

**Job Title**: Caretaker **Grade / Salary Range**:Band D

**JOB PURPOSE**

The Caretaker will undertake the duties outlined in his conditions of service.

**DESIGNATION OF POST AND POSITION WITHIN THE SCHOOLS STAFFING STRUCTURE**

Headteacher

School Business Manager

Site Controller

Caretaker

**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**To promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.**

**To recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and**

**others and to comply with the Schools Health and Safety policy and any school-specific procedures / rules**

**To promote the welfare of children and to support the school in safeguarding children though relevant**

**policies and procedures.**

**Security of Premises**

Start of the Day
- Unlock gates to school grounds and external entrance doors to school buildings and disable alarms
- Patrol school to ensure no burglaries have occurred, switching on any lights and heaters and opening windows as required
- Unlock interior doors as necessary

Daytime
- Be vigilant whilst on duty and aware of the security needs of the premises, including preventing trespassing and unauthorised parking

End of the Day
- Patrol premises, checking that all windows are closed and all light sources other than those required for safety or security reasons are extinguished
- Lock interior doors as necessary
- Lock external / entrance doors and gates to grounds
- Set alarm systems
- To respond to sounding of security systems and take necessary action as a principal keyholder. To be the first contact for emergency services

**Heating Systems**

All heating systems to be maintained as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and operated to maintain agreed temperatures. The importance of regular routine servicing with full regard to safety requirements is stressed. The main duties of the Caretaker are as follows:
Gas Fired Boilers
- Checking the temperature gauges
- Checking the pressure gauge
- Ensure boilers are switched back on after Fire Alarm testing
- Check running and cycle to different boiler monthly

Air Convector Heathers
- Switch on / off
- External cleaning of heater as required

Gas Fired Room Heathers
- Ignite / switch off pilot light
- Switch electrical circuit on / off

Electric / Gas Fires / Water Heaters
- Switch on / off
- Check for correct functioning

**Replacing Light Bulbs / Tubes**

Duties including the checking of diffusers and checking and replacing as necessary of all electric filament lamp bulbs and fluorescent tubes, taking full account of the safety requirements surround the task and the availability of suitable access equipment ie mobile scaffolding or a working platform. Industrial platform steps may be used when working at heights of less than 11 feet

**General Porterage**

The receipt, transportation and storage of deliveries to schools of educational materials, consumable stores, mail, furniture and porterage of goods around the school / site

**Ordering / Replenishing Materials**

**Furniture Handling**
- This includes the handling, setting out, clearing away and re-stacking of chairs before and after morning assembly and would also include any need for moving furniture between rooms etc at other times. Due regard should be paid to the correct lifting techniques and procedures
- Reporting on the condition of furniture and fittings and undertaking repairs as required

**Cleaning Outside Areas**
- Emptying litter bins as required
- Keeping dustbin points clean
- Sweeping excessive dirt and dust from entrances
- Snow clearing from paths and precautions against ice
- Caretakers allocated area

**Cleaning Drains**

As and when practicable and necessary

**Ancillary Activities**
- Preparing for normal school activities, clearing up and cleaning after these activities
- Taking appropriate action and providing access in the event of fire, flood, breaking and entering, accident or major damage. Making available first aid facilities and equipment
- Testing fire alarms and automatic systems where fitted, maintaining emergency exit access and operation.
- Maintaining master clock systems according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Have knowledge of water and gas circuits and control valves in order to direct engineers correctly for maintenance or to operate themselves in cases of emergency
- Dealing with enquiries from school staff, pupils, parents and members of the public or, if unable to help, referring them to the appropriate person
- Advising contractors on the layout of the school and the location of items to be repaired and of service points. Advising the Headteacher of, and (when in charge of site) acting on adverse conduct by contractors.
- Responding to Health and Safety issues as appropriate
- Detect and report building defects to the Headteacher or designated officer, undertaking mino