What is a School Caretaker?

A School Caretaker is responsible for maintaining and securing a school premises. They play a vital role in maintaining the overall functionality and appearance of the school to ensure that the school environment is clean, conducive to learning, and safe for students and staff. 

A School Caretakers job role includes building maintenance, school refurbishments, minor repairs, groundskeeping, health and safety inspections, surveying premises for any potential hazards, security monitoring and cleaning. A School Caretaker may also assist with school events (e.g. summer fête) and ensure that waste disposal is discarded safely and hygienically. 

School Caretakers will keep accurate records to comply with relevant health and safety measures. They will also report any health and safety concerns to the Site Manager or School Business Manager.

A School Caretaker’s job is to enhance the appearance and safety of a school building to have a positive impact on the students and staff who use it. 

A School Caretaker’s responsibilities might include:

• Maintaining cleanliness in classrooms, hallways, offices, toilets and other areas within the school building.  
• Conducting minor repairs and maintenance tasks, such as fixing leaky taps, changing light bulbs and repairing broken furniture.
• Taking care of the school grounds, including lawn maintenance, gardening and clearing leaves or snow from outdoor areas.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the school premises by monitoring access, maintaining secure doors and windows, reporting any suspicious activities, maintaining safety equipment and overseeing general maintenance of equipment.
• Assisting in setting up and organising spaces for school events such as furniture, setting up audiovisual equipment, and ensuring the venue is clean and presentable.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining cleanliness in accordance with hygiene standards.
• Collaborating and communicating with school staff, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and external contractors to address maintenance issues.
• Conducting regular inspections of the school premises to identify maintenance needs and conducting routine checks of facilities such as toilets, sinks and hand dryers.
• Keeping track of cleaning supplies and equipment. This involves monitoring stock levels, placing orders, and maintaining an organised storage area.
• Promoting and implementing environmentally friendly practices within the school, such as recycling programs.
• Ensuring emergency exits are clear, fire extinguishers are serviced, and smoke alarms are working.

The qualifications required for a School Caretaker can vary depending on the specific school and the level of responsibility for the role. Each school will set their own entry requirements based on the needs of the school. 

There are no formal qualifications required to pursue a career as a School Caretaker but formal training can make a School Caretaker more desirable to a school. 

For example, a Property Maintenance Operative or Facilities Services Operative, Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship will equip aspiring School Caretakers with the relevant skills and knowledge to succeed in this role. These apprenticeships take 1-2 years to complete and will help School Caretakers to stand out from other job applicants. 

A Level 2 Support Work in Schools and Colleges qualification is also an effective way to gain the relevant skills to work as a support professional in a school. This course is designed to help School Caretakers navigate a school environment. 

As School Caretakers work around vulnerable people, all School Caretakers will be required to pass a DBS check before working in a school. Even though a School Caretaker won’t directly interact with students, completing a safeguarding course could make them advantageous to employers. 

The average salary of a School Caretaker in the UK is £28,000 a year but this can vary depending on location. Due to a higher cost of living, the best paying locations are in London and big cities. 

By acquiring supporting qualifications or a specialist skill-set, School Caretakers will be much more valuable to a school and be more likely to get the best paying jobs. 

A School Caretaker is typically employed directly by a school or educational institution. The specific employer can vary depending on the type of school and its governing body. In some instances, a local authority or the overseeing trust may be responsible for employing School Caretakers.  

The responsibilities of a School Caretaker may vary depending on the type of school. For example, secondary schools, which are generally bigger (than primary schools) and operate more sophisticated facilities, may require more complex maintenance and security. 

School Caretakers employed at a primary school may be more focused on the safe upkeep of playground equipment for young children. 

The beauty of being a School Caretaker is that there is ample opportunity for career progression. Before pursuing a career as a School Caretaker, some professionals learn the ropes as a School Cleaner and work their way up. 

Once a School Caretaker has demonstrated their effectiveness in managing the maintenance and safety of a school, they may wish to apply for a Senior or Head Caretaker position. In a senior position, they may be responsible for overseeing a team of Caretakers or managing multiple sites.

Alternatively, School Caretakers can also progress into the position of a Facilities or Site Manager, where they will be responsible for the overall security and maintenance of a school and its grounds.  

Vocational qualifications such as a Level 2 Certificate in Property, Caretaking and Facilities Services, provide great opportunities for School Caretakers to enhance their skills, knowledge and experience through their exploration of health and safety legislation and facilities operations. Pursuing this qualification could result in increased career prospects for School Caretakers.  

Key skills of a School Caretaker include: 

• Competence in basic maintenance and repair tasks to fix minor repairs.
• Knowledge of proper cleaning techniques to ensure the school is clean and sanitary. 
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations and procedures to ensure that they are maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.
• Good communication skills are vital for effective interaction with school staff, contractors and visitors.
• Organisational and time management skills for prioritising tasks, managing schedules and ensuring efficient completion of responsibilities.
• Problem-solving so they can resolve issues effectively.
• Attention to detail so they can identify maintenance needs, safety hazards and cleanliness requirements.
• Possessing good customer service skills, being approachable and demonstrating a friendly manner to show a positive and supportive school environment.
• Record-keeping skills to maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, inventory and safety inspections.
• Being vigilant and having a good understanding of security protocols and procedures so they can report any suspicious activities and contribute to maintaining a secure environment.
• First aid skills so that they can handle minor injuries or medical emergencies that may occur on the school premises.
• Emotional intelligence to possess empathy, patience and the ability to handle stressful situations with composure.