Porter

Appointment of Porter

Application closing date: Midday, Monday 13 May 2024

Introduction

Porters work as part of a team of Operations staff involved in the upkeep, care and development of the School site, including its residential properties. Porters report to the Head of Operations and carry out tasks required to ensure the smooth operation of the School.

The Operations Department consists of the following areas:

• Catering (externally contracted)

• School Cafés (externally contracted)

• School Shop

• Laundry

• Cleaning

• Transport

• Sport Facilities

New Hall School is set within stunning 70-acre heritage grounds, dominated by the Grade I listed former Palace of Beaulieu. The main approach to the School is from a tree-lined Avenue to the south, which is a Grade II registered park & garden.

Salary & Benefits

Salary

The salary is currently up to £25,000pa (S1)

Hours

There are two working patterns of 6.00am-3.00pm and 10 00am–7 00pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. There is a one hour unpaid break each day. Applicants should confirm their preferred working pattern (if applicable) in their covering letter in the Application Form. Porters are required to participate in a rota to work weekends to support School operations and functions. Time off in lieu during the week will be granted on occasions where Porters work on a Saturday or Sunday. A degree of flexibility is required, taking account of the nature of this role in an independent boarding school.

All staff are required to attend INSET (staff training) days. Porters are required to work on School Open Days, which usually take place on the last Saturday in September and the Saturday of the first Bank Holiday weekend in May.

Holiday

Porters are entitled to 30 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays. This will increase to 35 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays, after 5 years’ service. New Hall closes for two days between Christmas and New Year and for bank holidays; staff must set aside annual holiday entitlement to allow for these closures.

Pension

Support staff are automatically enrolled in the designated stakeholder pension scheme provided by Standard Life, subject to meeting the qualifying conditions. Pension contribution rates are 5% for employees and New Hall currently matches employee contributions up to 4%.

Training

New Hall is committed to professional development of staff and will support further inservice training as required. There are generous INSET and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) budgets.

Lunch in Term Time

Currently, all staff can have lunch without charge in term time. Staff having School meals should assist with supervision and take an interest in getting to know students. This benefit is subject to annual review.

Sport Club Membership

As an employee, you will be able to make use of an annual membership for the New Hall Sport Club (currently £20pa plus £5pa for family members), with effect from your start date. Membership includes Club time use of:

• 25-metre, 6-lane indoor swimming pool

• 10 floodlit tennis/netball courts

• Fitness Suite, which comprises a range of cardiovascular equipment and free weights

• Athletics track

• 12 golf practice bays

Job Description - Porter

Responsibilities include:

1. Deliveries and movement of equipment

1.1 to distribute deliveries from Reception and the Estate Office to areas around the School

1.2 to transport packages/equipment between locations

1.3 to move furniture around the site and School properties

1.4 to deliver and collect laundry

1.5 to take parcels/letters to the sorting office (e.g. late collections and oversized parcels)

1.6 to recover lost property and return to agreed point

2. Hospitality

2.1 to maintain a welcoming, efficient and professional environment, providing hospitality for students, staff, parents and visitors to the School

2.2 to oversee the visitor sign-in/out process, including issuing visitor passes, following School security, fire and safeguarding procedures

2.3 to help to oversee the departure of visitors at the close of an event

2.4 to staff the Reception desk when there are evening School events and functions

3. Transport

3.1 to assist with traffic direction and parking

3.2 to ensure buggies are charged, cleaned and maintained

3.3 to undertake speed checks of traffic on site

4. Events

4.1 to set up and clear away in relation to events and lettings

4.2 to set out and clear away signage

4.3 to participate in a rota to work weekends to support School operations and functions

5. Security

5.1 to act as a fire alarm responder on a rota

5.2 to assist with locking and unlocking the site at the beginning and end of the day

5.3 to assist with opening and closing windows at the beginning and end of the day

5.4 to be vigilant regarding site security and to approach adults without lanyards on site (unless attending for a School event)

5.5 to supervise third-party contractors on site

6. Cleaning

6.1 to assist with critical incident response, including wet vacuuming

6.2 to dispose of rubbish from indoor and outdoor bins, including litter picking

6.3 to tidy indoor and outdoor areas, including clearing leaves

6.4 to undertake deep cleaning

6.5 to provide cover for Cleaners, for indoor areas, including toilets

7. General Maintenance

7.1 to assist with minor fixing and superficial material repairs

7.2 to wind the School clock

7.3 to log maintenance requests

All staff are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students at New Hall School by ensuring compliance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. It is a requirement of all staff to report any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of students to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

This document summarises the main responsibilities of the post. All staff are required to undertake whatever else may reasonably be requested by the Principal. All staff are expected to uphold, support and realise the Catholic ethos of the School, as outlined in the Mission & Ethos Statement and Aims of the School Job Descriptions are subject to annual review.

New Hall is committed to increasing the number of staff from ethnic minorities, across all roles and at all levels, to reflect our diverse student population. The Equal Opportunities Policy can be found on the website.

Person Specification

In addition to the below, all candidates should have a clear understanding of and a commitment to the aims of a Catholic independent school and be committed to the values and ethos at the heart of New Hall School, as expressed in the Mission & Ethos Statement of the School.

Essential

Education

Experience

Skills and Aptitudes

• GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above

• Experience of working in a team

Desirable

• Educated to A Level (or equivalent)

• Administrative

• Charity/voluntary work

• Client/customer facing role

• Education setting

Disposition and personal qualities

• Physically able for manual handling and movement around a 70-acre heritage site, e.g. to move furniture, to lift parcels and to climb stairs

• Full, clean driving licence

• Good communication and organisational skills

• Ability to work efficiently and accurately, with a keen eye for detail

• Basic IT skills

• Professional manner, including responding to telephone enquiries

• Ability to prioritise tasks

• An understanding of the importance of promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

• Friendly and approachable demeanour

• Discretion and sensitivity

• Willingness to participate enthusiastically in School life

• Initiative

• Ability to relate effectively to different people

• Flexibility to adjust to change and development

Working at New Hall

New Hall provides the opportunity to work in a stunning, Grade I listed historic setting. With a staff of around 300, many of whom consider the School ‘home’, New Hall offers a fast-paced, varied and rewarding environment in which to work.

Views of New Hall (above left) and the staff room (above right), located in the main School building

Indoor swimming pool (above left) and Fitness Suite (above right), available for staff use

Denford Bar & Lounge (above), available for staff use