Maintenance Operative Apprentice

Freemans School Surrey

Surrey (KT21 1ET)

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

Posted on 17 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

The Estates and Operations department, and maintenance team play a pivotal role in ensuring our buildings and grounds remain safe, functional and welcoming for our pupils, staff and wider community. Their hard work sees improvements across the site, major projects progressing at pace, and strong positive feedback from colleagues and visitors.

Wage

£27,010 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

City of London Corporation staff can take advantage of the pension scheme. They also receive discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services.

Training course
Facilities services operative (level 2)
Hours
8.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. with 60 minute unpaid lunch. Flexibility will be required for business needs.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 20 April 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Purpose of the Post

To work collaboratively as part of the Maintenance Team, which operates within the Estates Team (including Maintenance, Grounds & Gardens, School Keepers, Catering/Housekeeping). The primary objective is to provide basic maintenance and manual handling support to help ensure the upkeep and proper functioning of school buildings, plant, equipment, furniture and fittings.

Main Duties & Responsibilities
General, Planned Preventative & Emergency Maintenance:

  • Assist with routine maintenance and minor repairs to buildings, fixtures, fittings and equipment
  • Support basic carpentry, plumbing, decorating, and plastering tasks under supervision
  • Help complete scheduled compliance checks and accurately record findings in line with statutory and school requirements.
  • Identify and promptly report defects, hazards, and maintenance issues
  • Liaise with and supervise contractors on site via the Premises Manager

Pool, Fire, and Lighting Checks:

  • Undertake checks of the pool (training provided), maintain pool plant equipment, and keep records of preventative maintenance (PPM) plus mandatory water checks/servicing
  • Carry out and record weekly fire alarm tests
  • Conduct and record monthly emergency lighting tests

Issue Escalation & Requests:

  • Escalate issues beyond personal competence, adhering to apprenticeship standards and recognising personal limits
  • Update and close completed maintenance requests
  • Respond immediately to health & safety (H&S) matters, assisting where possible

Event & Daily Support:

  • Open and close buildings as required
  • Set up and prepare venues for events
  • Assist with office and classroom furniture moves
  • Follow up with teaching staff regarding their job tickets
  • Assist Grounds and School Keeping staff with snow and ice clearance when needed
  • Act as fire marshal or assist with fire/security roles in emergencies
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the Premises Manager, appropriate to the grade

Health & Safety

  • Help maintain an organised, clean and hazard-free workshop and ensure machinery/hand tools are used safely
  • Follow safe working practices at all times
  • Ensure self and others wear appropriate protective clothing (PPE) for activities involving chemicals, noise, etc.
  • Ensure all operations comply with City policies and departmental safe working codes
  • Report hazards or concerns about health & safety to the Premises Manager

Where you'll work

City ofLondon Freemens School
Park Lane
Ashtead
Surrey
KT21 1ET

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON

Training course

Facilities services operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with relevant health, safety and environmental legislation (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974) e.g. logging incidents, posting/distributing health and safety notices, checking fire extinguishers, fire alarms, confirming that checks have been carried out, use of PPE
  • Comply with other relevant legislation e.g. food safety, employment rights and responsibilities, data protection, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) e.g. permits to work, contractor risk assessments, safe systems of work, site inductions
  • Carry out health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Report the findings of health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Identify risks, hazards and threats to people, property and premises in accordance with SOPs
  • Act on the findings of health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Implement site emergency and evacuation procedures in accordance with SOPs e.g. acting as emergency evacuation marshal, submitting evacuation plans and reports/audits
  • Report on the actions taken in accordance with SOPs
  • Collaborate with other colleagues (e.g. security officers, cleaning operatives, receptionists, engineers and catering staff) in accordance with SOPs
  • Respond to customers’ queries and incidents in accordance with SOPs
  • Take action that is appropriate to the nature of the FM query (e.g. clarifying straightforward contractual/SLA queries, referrals/escalation)
  • Deal with complaints in accordance with SOPs
  • Keep customers informed of developments, issues and delays in accordance with SOPs
  • Apply policies in sustainability and corporate social responsibility in accordance with SOPs
  • Identify areas for improvement in sustainable and corporate social responsibility performance in accordance with SOPs
  • Make practicable suggestions for improvements to corporate social responsibility performance in accordance with SOPs
  • Operate the stock management system in accordance with SOPs e.g. stock checking, replenishment, stock ordering
  • Confirm the correct functioning of equipment used to deliver FM services in accordance with SOPs (e.g. franking machines, reprographics equipment, cleaning equipment, vending machines, catering trolleys, radios, walkie-talkies etc.)
  • Report the findings of premises and equipment inspections in accordance with SOPs
  • Carry out quality assurance checks in accordance with SOP's to ensure that FM services are delivered to the required standard.
  • Deal with feedback or escalate issues beyond their level of authority in accordance with SOP's
  • Collect FM-related information from a variety of sources (e.g. from BMS, helpdesk or in-house systems) in accordance with the task specification
  • Collate FM and health and safety information as specified (e.g. preparing preliminary reports such as energy usage and sustainability, heating systems, lighting systems, security and access systems) in accordance with the task specification
  • Identify and report on opportunities for improvement from information collected in accordance with the task specification using appropriate software applications and communication platforms
  • Provide support to the access management system in accordance with SOPs (e.g. ID checks, key authorization, security marking, security access data, building security alarm systems (access, CCTV etc)
  • Ensure communal areas meet required standards of cleanliness and presentation in accordance with SOPs (e.g. cleanliness checks, keeping the area tidy and free from hazards, maintaining the currency of publicity displays, dealing with post, deliveries and laundry, acting as a traffic marshal, removing rubbish etc)
  • Greet and treat visitors in accordance with SOPs
  • Ensure service areas are maintained in accordance with SOPs for cleanliness and hygiene (e.g food preparation areas, control rooms, compactors and refuse areas)
  • Support others through the provision of reception services, events organisation, hospitality and catering, room set-up and restoration in accordance with SOPs and the task specification
  • Report issues and problems in accordance with SOPs
  • Log jobs and arrange for repairs and engineering maintenance in accordance with SOPs
  • Carry out inspections of premises and facilities to ensure the correct functioning of buildings and plant equipment in accordance with SOPs e.g. access systems, temperature checks, repairs carried out
  • Carry out minor repairs and maintenance or ensure that they have been carried out in accordance with SOPs e.g. changing toner, changing batteries, replenishing stationary, PPM audits
  • Report the correct operation of FM buildings and equipment in accordance with SOPs
  • Keep asset registers up-to-date (checks, reconciliation, record keeping) in accordance with SOPs
  • Complete and keep up-to-date personal development plans
  • Keep FM-related skills up-to-date
  • Keep FM-related knowledge up-to-date
  • Manage customer expectations in accordance with SOPs and organizational expectations
  • Communicate with customers confidently and clearly using communication methods that are appropriate to the situation in accordance with organizational expectations
  • Support the project team constructively and in a way that engenders positive relationships in accordance with organizational expectations
  • Report on the extent that objectives have been met and escalate any issues in accordance with organizational expectations
  • Comply with relevant health, safety and environmental legislation (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974) e.g. logging incidents, posting/distributing health and safety notices, checking fire extinguishers, fire alarms, confirming that checks have been carried out, use of PPE
  • Comply with other relevant legislation e.g. food safety, employment rights and responsibilities, data protection, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) e.g. permits to work, contractor risk assessments, safe systems of work, site inductions
  • Carry out health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Report the findings of health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Identify risks, hazards and threats to people, property and premises in accordance with SOPs
  • Act on the findings of health and safety checks in accordance with SOPs
  • Implement site emergency and evacuation procedures in accordance with SOPs e.g. acting as emergency evacuation marshal, submitting evacuation plans and reports/audits
  • Report on the actions taken in accordance with SOPs
  • Collaborate with other colleagues (e.g. security officers, cleaning operatives, receptionists, engineers and catering staff) in accordance with SOPs
  • Respond to customers’ queries and incidents in accordance with SOPs
  • Take action that is appropriate to the nature of the FM query (e.g. clarifying straightforward contractual/SLA queries, referrals/escalation)
  • Deal with complaints in accordance with SOPs
  • Keep customers informed of developments, issues and delays in accordance with SOPs
  • Apply policies in sustainability and corporate social responsibility in accordance with SOPs
  • Identify areas for improvement in sustainable and corporate social responsibility performance in accordance with SOPs
  • Make practicable suggestions for improvements to corporate social responsibility performance in accordance with SOPs
  • Operate the stock management system in accordance with SOPs e.g. stock checking, replenishment, stock ordering
  • Confirm the correct functioning of equipment used to deliver FM services in accordance with SOPs (e.g. franking machines, reprographics equipment, cleaning equipment, vending machines, catering trolleys, radios, walkie-talkies etc.)
  • Report the findings of premises and equipment inspections in accordance with SOPs
  • Carry out quality assurance checks in accordance with SOP's to ensure that FM services are delivered to the required standard.
  • Deal with feedback or escalate issues beyond their level of authority in accordance with SOP's
  • Collect FM-related information from a variety of sources (e.g. from BMS, helpdesk or in-house systems) in accordance with the task specification
  • Collate FM and health and safety information as specified (e.g. preparing preliminary reports such as energy usage and sustainability, heating systems, lighting systems, security and access systems) in accordance with the task specification
  • Identify and report on opportunities for improvement from information collected in accordance with the task specification using appropriate software applications and communication platforms
  • Provide support to the access management system in accordance with SOPs (e.g. ID checks, key authorization, security marking, security access data, building security alarm systems (access, CCTV etc)
  • Ensure communal areas meet required standards of cleanliness and presentation in accordance with SOPs (e.g. cleanliness checks, keeping the area tidy and free from hazards, maintaining the currency of publicity displays, dealing with post, deliveries and laundry, acting as a traffic marshal, removing rubbish etc)
  • Greet and treat visitors in accordance with SOPs
  • Ensure service areas are maintained in accordance with SOPs for cleanliness and hygiene (e.g food preparation areas, control rooms, compactors and refuse areas)
  • Support others through the provision of reception services, events organisation, hospitality and catering, room set-up and restoration in accordance with SOPs and the task specification
  • Report issues and problems in accordance with SOPs
  • Log jobs and arrange for repairs and engineering maintenance in accordance with SOPs
  • Carry out inspections of premises and facilities to ensure the correct functioning of buildings and plant equipment in accordance with SOPs e.g. access systems, temperature checks, repairs carried out
  • Carry out minor repairs and maintenance or ensure that they have been carried out in accordance with SOPs e.g. changing toner, changing batteries, replenishing stationary, PPM audits
  • Report the correct operation of FM buildings and equipment in accordance with SOPs
  • Keep asset registers up-to-date (checks, reconciliation, record keeping) in accordance with SOPs
  • Complete and keep up-to-date personal development plans
  • Keep FM-related skills up-to-date
  • Keep FM-related knowledge up-to-date
  • Manage customer expectations in accordance with SOPs and organizational expectations
  • Communicate with customers confidently and clearly using communication methods that are appropriate to the situation in accordance with organizational expectations
  • Support the project team constructively and in a way that engenders positive relationships in accordance with organizational expectations
  • Report on the extent that objectives have been met and escalate any issues in accordance with organizational expectations

Training schedule

You will be supported to achieve the Facilities level 2 apprenticeship. Theoretical training will be delivered by the training provider on a weekly basis. Practical training and support will be given in the workplace allowing you to embed your learning in the working environment. You will receive 6 hours per week to completed course work within your working hours.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Enhanced DBS with children’s barred list will be required.

About this employer

The City Corporation with a rich history that precedes parliament, the City Corporation has been an ever constant throughout history adapting in order to meet modern demands of the City it serves, and is home to some of the world’s most striking modern architecture. The City of London Corporation forms part of London as a whole, along with the 32 London Boroughs who have responsibility for local government services within their local area. Based at the Guildhall the City Corporation looks after and promotes the City of London.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, we aim to offer a permanent role within the team if a position is available. Alternatively, we shall endeavour to secure an alternative position within the City of London Corporation. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000016062.

Apply now

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.