Founded in 1949 in Winchester, Prince’s Mead is a co-educational day preparatory school for children aged 3 to 11. These characteristics allow it to stand out from other independent schools in the area and place it in a unique position to enable children to move on to a wide variety of secondary schools and particularly the very good 11+ day schools in Hampshire and beyond.
Prince’s Mead is located in a glorious setting, occupying Worthy Park House; a large former Georgian residence dating back to 1820. With wonderful views across the Itchen Valley, the twelve acres of grounds complement the house and provide a perfect setting for delivering education as well as an impressive sport offering and other co-curricular activities. Enhancements have included a multipurpose sports hall, music practice rooms and the latest development of four new classrooms and a modern kitchen and dining hall (completed in 2019). This latter work has also allowed for the redevelopment of the Coach House in order to provide an Early Years facility, which is proving highly popular.
Prince’s Mead School aims to recruit a proactive, flexible and driven full-time, or part-time (as a job share) Facilities Assistant, working within the Facilities Team, to ensure that the school site is kept up to the highest standards. The Facilities Assistant will undertake caretaking, repairs and maintenance services, within the school setting. The candidate must be able to multi-task, have a positive attitude and a commitment to maintaining procedure and the School to the highest standard.
This role will require some flexibility, with occasional out of hours or weekend work (arranged in advance as overtime/TOIL), particularly where seasonal peaks in the school calendar have an impact on the complexity of site use.
This does not change the core job but does require individuals to be prepared to help out with duties of a more general nature. The role requires adaptability, to work around the day-to-day demands of a busy and high achieving Prep School.
Job Description
1. Working as part of the Facilities Team, supporting the team and wider staff community.
2. Managing the alarm systems, as part of the facilities team. Overseeing the fire alarm, in the event of an emergency evacuation or drill.
3. Be aware of health and safety responsibilities and ensure that H&S schedules are current.
4. Assisting in the completion of equipment registers, service records and checks.
5. Be familiar with risk assessments for the site and implement any control measures.
6. Ensure all training is current.
7. Supporting the Facilities Manager in managing external contractors.
8. Ensure that school property, buildings and grounds are maintained to a high standard.
9. Undertake general maintenance on buildings (qualification and experience, dependent).
10. Undertake grounds maintenance related to lawns, leaf blowing, hedge and verge cutting, boundary fencing and pitches.
11. Maintain the safe condition of driveways, pathways, drains and car parking areas.
12. Undertake elements related to COSHH, meter readings, Legionella testing, fire system checks.
Caretaking Duties
1. Setting up furniture, equipment and signage for events.
2. Delivering equipment around the site and distribute supplies, as required.
3. Keeping the site clean and free of debris, or fire hazards.
4. Ensure areas are accessible to emergency services.
5. Escorting of contractors and visitors on the campus.
6. Assistance with stewarding and car parking duties.
7. Support events at Prince’s Mead throughout the year and ensure requirements are met in a safe manner.
8. Carrying out other reasonable duties within the general nature of the job, as requested by your line manager and the Bursar.
Personal Specification
1. Relevant qualifications or demonstrate sufficient knowledge and experience for the role.
2. Honesty and reliability.
3. Experience of using relevant tools, equipment, material and chemicals.
4. The post holder will be able to keep calm under pressure and maintain good humour when things are not going to plan.
5. A focus on quality and drive for results, coupled with exceptional customer service skills.
6. Attention to detail when undertaking maintenance. Able to plan and organise effectively.
7. Self-motivated with the ability to work flexibly under pressure.
8. Suitable experience in a similar Facilities role.
9. Good general level of education and ability to offer effective communication.
10. Willingness to attend training courses to enhance development and performance.
11. Must be able to drive and have own vehicle to attend site.
Remuneration and other benefits
Working Hours: This post is a 32 hours per week position, we are happy to consider a job share, (though you may be required to work such additional hours as mentioned above).
The salary range for this role is £25,000 - £28,000 (FTE). There are further benefits including: pension, free lunch and onsite parking.
Application Process
1. The closing date for applications is 4pm on Monday 14th April 2025.
2. Applicants are asked to complete the school’s application form (help and advice can be sought, if required) and send it to recruitment@princesmeadschool.org.uk CVs cannot be accepted as an alternative.
3. You are welcome to visit Prince’s Mead School ahead of applying. Please contact us on: recruitment@princesmeadschool.org.uk to make an appointment.
4. Prince’s Mead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS.
5. Candidates who are invited for interview will be invited to school for a tour and short interview with the Bursar and Facilities Manager.
6. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Safeguarding Statement
Prince’s Mead puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.
Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.
We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.
As an equal opportunities employer, Prince’s Mead is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Prince’s Mead.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Management and Manufacturing
* Education
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