Part-Time Site Assistant

School: Harford Manor School, 43 Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR2 2LN

Hours: 18 hours per week (Flexible working pattern to be agreed upon interview)

Salary: £25,185 pro rata.

Holiday Allowance: 25 days per year, pro rata

Contract Type: Permanent, Part-Time

About Us

Harford Manor School is a dedicated complex needs school in Norwich, catering to wonderful children and young people aged 3–19 with a diagnosis of autism, severe learning difficulties, and additional health or sensory processing needs. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, we take immense pride in providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment that helps our pupils lay “Foundations for their Futures.”

Our site is at the heart of our community. As a school that places heavy emphasis on active learning, independence, and safe sensory exploration, ensuring our buildings and grounds are well maintained, secure, and accessible is vital to our pupils' success.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive, hands-on, and reliable Part-Time Site Assistant to join our dedicated team. Working 18 hours a week, your role will involve the day-to-day maintenance, security, and health and safety compliance of our school site.

This role is beautifully varied; no two days are the same. You will balance routine health and safety checks with practical hands-on tasks, emergency reactive duties, and coordinating external contractors. You will also act as a point of contact for the hire of school buildings and facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Site Maintenance: Carry out general day-to-day repairs, minor painting/decorating, and DIY tasks to keep the school looking its best and running smoothly.

• Health & Safety: Undertake statutory regular testing and compliance checks (e.g., fire alarms, water hygiene, emergency lighting) and log them effectively. Conduct routine safety and risk assessments of the grounds. Ensuring safe entry and exit of Local Authority vehicles to the site at the beginning and end of school day.

• Security & Keyholder Duties: Support the day-to-day security of the school premises, ensuring boundaries are secure and responding to emergency call-outs if required.

• Contractor Management: Liaise with external contractors, ensuring they adhere to school safeguarding and health and safety policies while on site.

• Grounds Care: Ensure external pathways, play areas, and sensory spaces are clean, tidy, and safe (including gritting/snow clearance during winter weather).

• Hydrotherapy Pool: Conduct pool tests and associated work for our busy Hydrotherapy Pool (Training will be provided).

• Driving: Delivery of our school vehicles (Minibuses and Cars) to destinations for maintenance and servicing or assistance as required to drive on school outings.

About You

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who takes pride in creating a safe environment for young people. You should have:

• Practical experience in DIY, building maintenance, caretaking, or a similar trade/facilities role.

• A good working knowledge of health and safety regulations (COSHH, fire safety, etc.).

• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently using your own initiative.

• Strong communication skills, with a warm, respectful approach appropriate for an environment supporting vulnerable young people.

• Physical capability to undertake manual handling and reactive outdoor maintenance tasks.

• A valid driving licence.

What We Offer

• A supportive, welcoming, and genuinely rewarding working environment.

• 25 days of annual holiday entitlement (pro rata).

• Access to continuous professional development and site management training.

• The chance to play a truly vital role in a school community making a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families.

Safeguarding Statement

Harford Manor School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.