Site Supervisor | Secondary Academy & Sixth Form

We are seeking a proactive, practical, and highly capable Site Supervisor to oversee the daily maintenance, facilities management, security, and health and safety operations across our secondary academy campus in Ipswich. Reporting to the Estates Manager, the successful candidate will ensure that school buildings, grounds, and facilities remain safe, secure, clean, and fully operational for pupils, staff, and visitors throughout the academic year.

Set on an expansive campus featuring modern classroom blocks, specialized science suites, indoor sports halls, and extensive outdoor playing fields, this vibrant secondary academy serves over 1,000 pupils aged 11–18 in Ipswich. As part of a collaborative regional Multi-Academy Trust, the school benefits from dedicated trust estates support, capital improvement grants, and ongoing facilities investment. The premises team provides the vital foundation that keeps the physical environment running smoothly, safely, and efficiently every day.

Site Security & Access Control: Act as a keyholder responsible for daily opening and locking of the school premises, setting alarm systems, monitoring access gates, and responding to out-of-hours emergency calls or security alerts.

Facilities Maintenance & Repairs: Perform routine reactive maintenance and first-line repairs—including basic plumbing, joinery, painting, lock repairs, and minor electrical fixes—across all campus buildings.

Health & Safety Compliance: Conduct mandatory safety checks and maintain logbooks for fire alarms, emergency lighting, water hygiene (legionella control), playground equipment, and COSHH storage in accordance with statutory guidelines.

Contractor Management & Supervision: Escort and supervise external contractors on-site during routine servicing, boiler maintenance, statutory inspections, or major building works, ensuring compliance with safeguarding protocols.

Caretaking & Grounds Support: Coordinate site cleanliness, manage waste disposal logistics, prepare halls for exams and school events, perform gritting during winter periods, and ensure safe pedestrian access during bad weather.

Qualifications: Solid practical background in building maintenance, facilities management, or a specific trade (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work). Relevant safety certificates (e.g., IOSH Managing Safely, Asbestos Awareness, Legionella Awareness, or First Aid at Work) are highly advantageous.

Experience: Proven track record of site supervision, caretaking, or facilities management within an educational institution, public sector facility, or commercial property environment.

Skills: Strong practical DIY and repair skills, clear understanding of health and safety legislation, reliable problem-solving ability, flexibility to work shift patterns, and a polite, approachable professional manner.

Local Area & Community: Located in the county town of Suffolk, Ipswich is one of England’s oldest historic towns, combining a rich maritime heritage with modern waterfront regeneration. Ipswich offers a high quality of life with vibrant cultural venues, historic landmarks such as Christchurch Mansion, and quick access to the scenic Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Transport & Commuting: Ipswich benefits from strong transport connections across Suffolk, Essex, and East Anglia. Positioned strategically along the A12 and A14 dual carriageways, road commuting across Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, and Felixstowe is straightforward. Public transport is comprehensive, served by local Greater Anglia bus networks and Ipswich Railway Station, which provides direct, frequent rail services to Norwich, Cambridge, and London Liverpool Street.