Facilities Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work

Job Title:  Facilities Assistant
Location:  The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield, TQ12 6RH
Salary:      From £25,837.50 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8am-4pm
Contract: Permanent | 52 Weeks
Start:        March 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As a Facilities Assistant, you will play an important role in ensuring the school environment is safe, secure, clean and well maintained. You’ll carry out a range of routine and ad-hoc duties across the site, supporting the smooth day-to-day operation of the school and helping to create a welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

Working under the direction of the Headteacher, you will also support site security and provide practical assistance during school events.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the security and overall condition of school buildings, grounds and facilities
• Act as a site keyholder, including opening and closing the site and operating alarm systems
• Carry out general maintenance, minor repairs, decoration and improvement works
• Support the monitoring and supervision of external contractors on site
• Ensure heating, lighting, water and cooling systems are operated and maintained effectively
• Complete routine health and safety checks and maintain accurate records (e.g. fire alarms, legionella checks)
• Manage fire safety equipment and support fire drills and compliance procedures
• Keep tools, equipment and plant in safe, good working order
• Carry out regular site inspections to identify defects, hazards or security concerns
• Maintain clean, tidy and safe outdoor areas, including basic grounds maintenance

About You

You will have:

• An understanding of Health & Safety regulations
• Experience carrying out a range of maintenance and grounds tasks
• The ability to work collaboratively and supportively as part of a school team
• Strong organisational skills with a practical, methodical approach to work

About Us

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school near Newton Abbot in Devon, providing education for young people with complex needs. Set in a peaceful woodland environment and supported by a nearby care farm, we combine academic and vocational programmes with outdoor learning and therapeutic approaches tailored to each pupil’s individual strengths and needs. Our experienced staff work closely with every young person to remove barriers to learning, foster personal and social development, and create a caring, inclusive environment that enables pupils to achieve positive outcomes and build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for their future.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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