Site Manager

About this role

Job Summary

The Site Manager and Groundskeeper is responsible for the safe, secure, well-maintained and welcoming operation of the school site. This is a practical, hands-on role combining planned and reactive maintenance, statutory premises checks, security, contractor coordination and outdoor-site upkeep.

The postholder will take pride in the school’s distinctive setting, respond calmly to day-to-day issues and help ensure that pupils and staff can use the buildings, outdoor learning areas and grounds safely throughout the year.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people and follow the school’s safeguarding, child-protection, staff-code-of-conduct and whistleblowing procedures.
• Remain alert to safeguarding concerns and report any concern immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Do not investigate safeguarding concerns personally.
• Know the identity of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies and how to contact them.
• Understand the procedure for reporting concerns about a child, another pupil, a member of staff or another adult.
• Know what to do if the usual safeguarding lead is unavailable or if the concern relates to the Head of School.
• Ensure contractors and visitors under the postholder’s supervision follow the school’s signing-in, identification, access and safeguarding arrangements.
• Ensure contractors and visitors are not given unsupervised access to pupils unless appropriately checked and authorised.
• The post is subject to safer-recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references, identity and right-to-work checks, and any other checks required for work in a school.

Site safety, compliance and records

• Reporting premises issues to senior leadership.
• Carry out and record routine site inspections, identifying hazards, defects, damage or security concerns and taking prompt action within the limits of the role.
• Maintain clear and accurate premises records, including maintenance requests, completed works, contractor visits, statutory checks, accidents or near misses relating to the premises, and actions arising from risk assessments.
• Undertake designated fire-safety checks, including weekly fire-alarm testing, emergency-lighting checks, checking escape routes and fire doors, and supporting termly evacuation drills and record keeping.
• Support SLT with premises-related risk assessments, emergency procedures, business-continuity arrangements and actions arising from fire, health and safety or insurance inspections.
• Coordinate or facilitate scheduled compliance checks by competent contractors, including fire systems and equipment, gas safety, electrical safety, portable appliance testing, water hygiene and Legionella, asbestos management where applicable, lifts or access equipment, play equipment, tree safety and other site-specific systems.
• Understand personal limits of competence. Isolate or make an area safe, report the matter promptly and arrange an appropriately qualified contractor where specialist work is required.

Inspection and audit readiness

• Understand the premises aspects of the school’s health and safety, fire safety, safeguarding, emergency and business-continuity arrangements and be able to explain how these are implemented in day-to-day practice.
• Support inspections and audits by accompanying premises tours when requested, answering accurately within the scope of the role, identifying current risks and controls, and referring governance, safeguarding or policy questions to the appropriate school leader.
• Maintain an organised premises compliance file, in the school’s agreed format, and make current documents and evidence readily available to school leaders, auditors and inspectors.
• Ensure the compliance file includes, where applicable:
• The current fire risk assessment and action plan
• Fire logbook
• Fire-alarm testing and servicing records
• Emergency-lighting inspection and servicing records
• Fire-extinguisher servicing records
• Emergency evacuation drill records
• Asbestos survey and register
• Asbestos management plan
• Legionella written control scheme and monitoring records
• Gas-safety records
• Boiler and heating-system servicing records
• Fixed electrical inspection and EICR reports
• Portable appliance testing records
• Certificates and reports for any other statutory systems
• Retain relevant inspection and maintenance evidence for play and outdoor equipment, trees, gates and boundaries, water temperatures, lifts or lifting equipment where present, security systems and any other site-specific risks.
• Maintain evidence that defects, recommendations and remedial actions identified through inspections or risk assessments have been completed or are being safely managed.
• Keep routine premises inspections, maintenance and defect logs, contractor visits, risk-assessment actions and servicing dates current.
• Monitor renewal and review dates and alert SLT in good time when an assessment, inspection, certificate or service is due.
• Monitor and report on premises standards relevant to pupils’ health, safety and welfare, including toilets and washing facilities, drinking water, hot-water temperatures, medical accommodation, lighting, acoustics, accessibility, outdoor play space and the suitability of facilities for pupils’ ages and needs.
• Know the location of key controls, registers and emergency information relevant to the role, including utility isolation points, alarm panels, fire-safety information, hazardous-material information and current contractor or maintenance records.

Maintenance and repairs

• Plan, prioritise and complete routine, preventative and reactive maintenance across the buildings and outdoor learning areas, giving immediate priority to safeguarding and health and safety risks.
• Undertake minor repairs and practical tasks within the postholder’s competence, including:
• Basic carpentry
• Furniture assembly
• Shelving and fixtures
• Doors, handles and locks
• Gates and fences
• Floor coverings
• Painting and decorating
• Sealant work
• Minor plumbing tasks
• Replacement of lamps or fittings
• Inspect and maintain boardwalks, paths, steps, decks, shelters, tarpaulins, outdoor classrooms, play structures, rope or balance equipment, sandpits and fire-circle areas.
• Remove or make safe trip hazards, sharp objects, exposed nails, unstable structures and other hazards, restricting access when necessary.
• Monitor the condition and safe operation of heating, lighting, ventilation, water, drainage and sanitation systems.
• Report faults and coordinate repairs where work falls outside the postholder’s competence.
• Maintain an organised programme of works, including holiday projects, weatherproofing and cyclical decoration.
• Keep SLT informed about priorities, cost implications and progress.
• Keep tools, equipment, plant rooms, stores and work areas secure, orderly and safely maintained.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and comply with COSHH requirements and manufacturers’ instructions.

Security, access and emergency response

• Act as a key holder and undertake agreed opening, closing, locking and alarm-setting duties.
• Check gates, windows, doors, fire exits, intruder alarms and CCTV systems as part of agreed site routines.
• Maintain secure control of keys, access devices and security codes, keeping appropriate issue records and reporting any loss or compromise immediately.
• Manage vehicle and pedestrian access when required, including the car-park gates at events, deliveries, coaches and access for emergency services.
• Respond to alarm activations, urgent premises incidents and severe-weather issues in accordance with agreed call-out arrangements.
• Escalate serious incidents promptly to SLT, emergency services or other relevant parties.

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