OR120929 – Cleaning & Hygiene Operative

Job Details

Work Pattern: Monday to Friday, 20 hours per week

PAYE Pay Rate: £12.71 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

The Cleaning & Hygiene Operative is responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, hygiene and safety throughout school buildings and facilities.

The successful candidate will carry out general cleaning duties to ensure classrooms, corridors, toilets, communal areas and other school facilities are kept clean, tidy and hygienic.

The role involves using cleaning equipment and chemicals safely, following health and safety procedures and ensuring the school environment remains safe and suitable for pupils, staff and visitors.

Typical Day Overview

A typical working day will involve:

  • Cleaning classrooms, corridors, offices and communal areas.

  • Sweeping, mopping and washing floors and walls.

  • Vacuuming carpets and cleaning floor surfaces.

  • Dusting, polishing furniture and wiping down surfaces.

  • Cleaning and sanitising toilets, sinks and other sanitary facilities.

  • Emptying bins and disposing of waste appropriately.

  • Using cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, floor polishers and scrubbing machines.

  • Checking cleaning supplies and replenishing materials when required.

  • Ensuring cleaning chemicals are used and stored safely.

  • Reporting damaged equipment, maintenance issues or health and safety concerns to the supervisor.

Key Skills & Responsibilities

Cleaning & Hygiene

  • Experience carrying out general commercial or domestic cleaning duties.

  • Ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

  • Knowledge of cleaning procedures, including sanitising and disinfecting surfaces.

  • Experience cleaning toilets, classrooms, communal areas and other facilities.

Equipment & Chemicals

  • Ability to safely operate vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning machinery.

  • Understanding of the safe handling, use and storage of cleaning chemicals.

  • Ability to follow instructions regarding cleaning products and equipment.

Health & Safety

  • Understanding of workplace health and safety procedures.

  • Ability to identify and report hazards, faults and maintenance issues.

  • Ensure cleaning activities do not create risks for pupils, staff or visitors.

Personal Skills

  • Good attention to detail.

  • Reliable, punctual and hardworking.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a cleaning team.

  • Good time management and ability to complete tasks within allocated hours.

  • Willingness to undertake relevant training.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

The job description does not specify any mandatory formal qualifications.

However, the following would be beneficial:

  • Previous experience in a cleaning, housekeeping or hygiene role.

  • Understanding of general cleaning procedures and hygiene standards.

  • Knowledge of safe chemical handling and cleaning equipment.

  • Ability to follow instructions and health and safety procedures.

  • Ability to work independently and manage a cleaning workload.

Essential Requirements

  • Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List Check – mandatory due to working within a school environment.