Job Description

School Facilities Manager (Caretaker)

Lift Cottingley

Dulverton Grove
Leeds, LS11 0HU
United Kingdom

Salary: NJC 12-17 + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Start date: September 2026
Closing date: 31st July
Interview date: 6th August

Every great school relies on someone who takes pride in keeping it safe, welcoming and running smoothly.
We're looking for a reliable, practical and proactive School Caretaker to join our team at Lift Cottingley. This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are the same. From maintaining our buildings and grounds to carrying out repairs, supporting school events and ensuring the site is safe and secure, you'll play a vital role in creating an environment where pupils and staff can do their very best every day.

Working Pattern

Monday to Friday, 7am–3pm,

Flexibility is required to support occasional evening and weekend school access or events, and to be available to respond to emergency call-outs at the school when required.

What you'll be doing:

• Keep our school buildings and grounds safe, clean, secure and well maintained.
• Carry out general maintenance, DIY tasks and minor repairs across the site.
• Open and close the school, manage site security and respond to emergency call-outs when required.
• Complete routine health and safety, fire safety and statutory site checks.
• Work with contractors and the wider Lift Schools facilities team on planned maintenance projects.
• Prepare rooms and outdoor spaces for lessons, events and community activities.
• Help ensure every child learns in a safe, welcoming and well-presented environment.

This is a hands-on, physically active role that requires the ability to undertake manual handling, move equipment and furniture, work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, and respond efficiently to the changing needs of a busy school environment.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience in caretaking, premises, facilities or building maintenance.
• Enjoys practical, hands-on work and has good DIY and repair skills.
• Understands the importance of health and safety and takes pride in maintaining high standards.
• Is organised, dependable and able to manage their own workload.
• Has a full UK driving licence
• Can communicate confidently with colleagues, contractors and visitors.
• Wants to be part of a supportive team making a real difference to young people's lives

Relevant qualifications in facilities management or health and safety (e.g. IOSH/NEBOSH) are desirable but not essential, we’re more interested in your approach, attitude, and commitment.

While this position is advertised as School Caretaker to reach a wider audience, the formal job title and internal designation for this role will be School Facilities Manager.

About the school

At Lift Cottingley, we are proud to be a vibrant, ambitious school community with a strong sense of purpose and belonging. We combine high expectations for academic achievement with a deep commitment to inclusion, creativity and play. Our children benefit from a unique and evolving site, including large outdoor spaces, an OPAL play programme, a developing forest area, and a growing range of specialist provisions to ensure every child thrives.

We are incredibly proud of our successes, from exceptional outcomes in reading, writing and maths to our national recognition for oracy, inclusion and sustainability. We are an excellent school, with a culture built on collaboration, professional growth and innovation. Staff here know they will be supported, developed and trusted, with regular coaching, dedicated time to focus on what matters, and the chance to shape whole-school initiatives. Our values – big-hearted, unusually brave, pushing the limits and discovering what’s possible – are lived daily by children and adults alike.

If you want to join a forward-thinking team where your contribution makes a visible difference, and be part of a community that is ambitious for every child, then Lift Cottingley is the place to grow your career.

Who is Lift Schools?

We’re a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they’ve ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and Linkedin Further details can be found on our careers page.

Lift Schools is recruiting for Teacher Training placements. Please click here to view the website for further details.

Downloads

Brochure

Safer Recruitment Statement