Estates Operative

Join The Dean Trust as an Estates Operative and become part of a team dedicated to providing safe, secure, and welcoming learning environments across our schools. Based primarily at Blacklow Brow Primary School you may also provide occasional premises support across Park View Academy and the Lord Derby Academy Hub.

This is an excellent opportunity for a practical, reliable, and proactive individual who enjoys variety, takes pride in maintaining high standards, and wants to make a real difference to our school communities.

Main Purpose of the Role

To provide practical, day-to-day premises support, ensuring that our schools remain safe, secure, clean, and well-maintained. The Estates Operative is a hands-on operational role involving daily key holding, routine DIY and maintenance, porterage, and the execution of basic statutory health and safety checks. The post holder will use Trust-provided digital tablets to log routine compliance tasks, acting as first line of site support for pupils and colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

1. Opening & Closing: Act as a designated keyholder, responsible for the routine unlocking and locking of buildings and gates, ensuring the site is secure at all times to protect pupils, colleagues and Trust assets.
2. Visitor & Contractor Access: Control site access for external contractors, ensuring they sign in, are aware of basic site rules, comply with safeguarding checks and are directed to their work areas safely.
3. Emergency Response: Support in premises emergencies, out-of-hours intruder/fire alarm activations, and adverse weather responses (e.g., gritting, flood prevention).
4. Routine DIY & Repairs: Carry out basic, minor maintenance and DIY tasks across the sites (e.g., changing lightbulbs, unblocking sinks, fixing door handles, assembling basic furniture, and minor painting).
5. Grounds Maintenance: Ensure external areas, playgrounds, and pathways are safe, clear of litter, swept, and free of hazards (including gritting and snow clearance during winter).
6. Team Cover: While primarily based at Blacklow Brow Primary School, provide occasional operational cover, emergency response, or maintenance support at Park View Academy, or the Lord Derby Academy Hub as directed by the Estate Manager.

Please see candidate brochure attached for further details about the role.