Leigh Academy Tonbridge has a fantastic opportunity for a committed and motivated Facilities Assistant to join our collaborative team. This position will assist the wider Estates 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 Facilities Manager in ensuring the health and safety and security of a busy academy. Applicants will need a flexible approach to working hours and duties and may be required to cover the duties of other team members in their absence, occasionally.
Applicants need to be trustworthy, reliable, hardworking, physically fit, conscientious and be able to work independently as well 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. We offer fantastic CPD opportunities as an academy and as a wider multi-academy trust so can provide support if there are any areas that you may need to be upskilled or trained.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in a Facilities Assistant role? If so, make a referral today for the chance to receive £100 as a 'thank you'. Simply complete the referral form by. T&C's apply.
Benefits of working as a Caretaker at a Leigh Academies Trust site;
1. 25 days annual leave per annum + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days + bank holidays based on 5 years' service. This will be pro rated for part time colleagues.
2. Full company closure and time off between Christmas and New Year
3. You'll be part of a friendly and supportive team
4. A flexible and proactive ethos
5. Training and qualifications supported / encouraged
6. Mileage allowance for travel between sites
7. Paid overtime
8. Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme)
9. Free, on-site parking at every site
10. Dedicated site office
This is a permanent role and our ideal candidate will be able to work part time, Monday to Friday. The salary offered is £9,822 per annum (£22,714 full time equivalent).
The shift pattern for this role is as follows:
Monday to Thursday: 3pm to 6pm
Friday: 2pm to 6pm
‘Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional’ Ofsted, 2022.
‘Staff are proud to work at the school. There is a strong culture of collaboration and sharing.’
The school’s small size means that all pupils are known, valued and nurtured.’
'Senior Leaders have a passionate and ambitious vision about providing high-quality education for all pupils at the school…senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations by keeping a high profile around the school.’
Joining us at Leigh Academy Tonbridge: Building on the strengths of our legacy school, Hayesbrook Academy, Leigh Academy Tonbridge will open our doors to the first cohort of year 7 students, including boys and girls, for September 2023.
Hayesbrook Academy first opened in 1964. Having always been an all-boys school, our history before then is closely linked to the old Sussex Road Boys School, where records go back to the early 1900’s, and so we have a strong tradition of education provision in Tonbridge. The modern day academy has always been an 11-18 comprehensive school with a mixed sixth form, serving the local community.
Since being the first school in West Kent to gain Academy Status in 2010, the academy led the way in achieving excellent standards and in creating a multi-academy Trust. We were graded ‘Excellent’ by Ofsted in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The academic success and high standards have continued and inspections in 2013, 2017 and most recently in December 2022, found the school to be ‘good’ overall but recognised students’ behaviour and attitudes as ‘exceptional’ (graded as ‘outstanding’). Furthermore, the inspection recognised strengths in reading and literacy; careers provision; teachers’ subject knowledge; the support provided by the trust and the governing body; as well as identifying the ‘meticulous’ arrangements for safeguarding. The report also recognised “Senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations…” .. Our press release and the full Ofsted report can be accessed
The Academy grows, adapts and thrives with each new cohort of students that are welcomed here every September and our recent move to Leigh Academies Trust has strengthened the academy’s ability to deliver the very best for our pupils.
Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2024, our Trust comprises 33 geographically organised academies (17 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating more than 24,000 students and employing 4,000 talented staff. Currently, 14 of our academies are considered to be “Outstanding” which is nearly 50% of those which have been inspected whilst part of the Trust. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North 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. .
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.
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 which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. 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 discriminating 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.