Lead Caretaker – Thriving Secondary Academy in Oxford

Start Date:September 2026

Contract:Full-time, Permanent (Shift-Pattern Framework)

Salary:Paid to scale (Support Staff Framework)

The Role

A thriving Secondary Academy in Oxford is seeking a professional, high-energy, and exceptionally organised Lead Caretaker to join their estates team. This is a vital operational supervisory role, perfectly suited for an experienced caretaker or maintenance technician looking to take on line-management responsibilities for a dedicated site team while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day upkeep and security of a modern campus.

The successful candidate will coordinate a team of shift caretakers and cleaning staff, establishing weekly rotas to ensure complete coverage of early morning openings, late-night community lettings, and school lockups. Day-to-day responsibilities include performing skilled fabric maintenance and repairs (basic carpentry, mechanical plumbing fixes, painting, and security hardware updates), monitoring the building management system (BMS), and coordinating the response to reactive maintenance tickets submitted via the school's digital helpdesk. You will also oversee statutory compliance logging, including weekly fire alarm testing, fire door inspections, emergency lighting diagnostics, and regular legionella water tracking.

You will support clear, proactive communication with the Site Manager, teaching faculty, and external contractors, ensuring that all health and safety guidelines (COSHH, manual handling, working at heights) are strictly upheld. Strong organizational and time-management skills are required to balance team leadership duties with active physical asset management across a busy secondary academy framework.

School Information

This is an 11 to 18 well-established Academy in Oxford with an outstanding track record for academic excellence, inclusive support, and operational efficiency. The campus benefits from premium resources, featuring newly developed science wings, sports pavilions, and multi-use performance spaces that are utilized by both the school and the wider local community.

The premises team is treated as a highly respected, core pillar of the wider school faculty. Staff enjoy an open and collaborative professional culture, visible and supportive leadership, and funded pathways for advanced safety and technical certifications (such as IOSH safety training, Legionella control, or specialized tool operations).

Requirements

• Proven experience in a school caretaking, facility maintenance, or property technician role, with evidence of leading or supervising a small team

• Strong hands-on competency in a variety of building maintenance tasks (DIY, minor carpentry, basic plumbing repairs)

• Working knowledge of school health and safety legislation, safe manual handling frameworks, and COSHH regulations

• Good IT literacy, with confidence using digital registration systems, reading email updates, and navigating facilities helpdesk dashboards

• Ability to work effectively and flexibly across split shift patterns and weekend letting structures

Application

To apply, please send your comprehensive CV as soon as possible.