Estates Assistant / School Caretaker – 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday)

Harrogate Ladie's College; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Harrogate is seeking a proactive Estates Assistant / Caretaker for a crucial role in maintaining a safe and welcoming school environment. The role offers a salary of £26,000 with additional allowances and requires candidates to have previous caretaking experience and a full UK driving license. Responsibilities include site security, assisting contractors, and setting up for events. This is an exciting opportunity to join a committed estates team during a transition period.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in caretaking or premises maintenance, ideally in education.
• Full, UK driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain security, maintenance, and safeguarding of the school site.
• Assist facilities contractors.
• Reconfigure furniture in classrooms and meeting rooms.
• Set up equipment for events and training sessions.
• Report any building maintenance concerns immediately.

Skills

Reliability

Proactivity

General maintenance

Security

Joiner or plumbing skills

Job description

Estates Assistant / School Caretaker – 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday)

Overview of Role

Harrogate Ladies College and Highfield is a family of three leading independent schools delivering a world class education in the heart of Harrogate for boys aged 2-11 and girls aged 2-18 years. This is an exciting time to join us as Harrogate Ladies’ College will transition to Duchy College in September 2026 and become fully co-educational.

We are looking for a reliable and proactive Estates Assistant / Caretaker to join our friendly and committed Estates team. This is a hands-on role that plays a vital part in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well-managed school environment. The School operates a two-shift system with morning shifts from 6.00am until 2.00pm and afternoon shifts from 2.00pm until 10.00pm. There is always a Duty Caretaker available, either on site or on emergency standby.

The salary is £26,000 basic with additional allowances based on shifts

Applicants require previous experience working in caretaking or premises maintenance, ideally within the education sector but this is not essential. Having specialist/specific maintenance such as joiner or plumbing would be advantageous. Applicants will need a full, UK driving licence.

The role will involve

• General security, maintenance and safeguarding of the site and grounds
• Working with and assisting facilities contractors
• Reconfiguring furniture and equipment in classrooms, meetings rooms and social spaces as required
• Setting up equipment for internal and external events, training sessions, meetings and sports activities
• Assisting with building maintenance and immediately report any faults or concerns

Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details.

Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 2nd January 2026

To apply for this role, please complete the following application and return it together with any additional supporting information to [e-mail] .

Liz Pugh, HR Manager
Harrogate Ladies’ College
Clarence Drive
Harrogate
HG1 2QG

Before completing the School’s application form, applicants should read the School’s Staff Privacy notice which details how the School will process their personal data for recruitment purposes, and beyond, if they are recruited.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received with interviews being held shortly after.

Harrogate Ladies’ College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. Please note that the successful applicant will not be able to start in School until all pre-employment checks have been completed satisfactorily. The school is an educational charity and equal opportunities employer.