London Borough of Waltham Forest - Site Services Officer apprentice at Opossum Federation
Newport School Newport Road, London, E10 6PJ
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Summary
The Opossum Federation is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic Site Services Officer Apprentice (Level 2) to join their team across four primary school sites. This is a permanent, all-year-round role requiring a flexible 36-hour week to ensure school premises are secure, clean, and well-maintained.
Training course: Facilities services operative (level 2)
Hours Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed. 36.0 hours a week
Possible start date: Tuesday 21 April 2026
Duration: 1 Year
Positions available: 1
Work
As an apprentice, you'll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You'll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you'll do at work
The successful candidate will perform minor repairs, supervise cleaning staff, and contribute to a safe learning environment for all pupils.
The Site Services Apprentice will serve as a key member of the Opossum Federation team, working across Dawlish Primary, Newport School, Oakhill Primary, and Thorpe Hall Primary. In this role, you will support the maintenance of the school’s internal and external fabric to ensure a safe and inspiring learning environment for all pupils.
While the role is part of a wider site team, you will operate under the guidance of a Nominated Manager and work alongside experienced Site Services Officers to learn the technical and operational requirements of school facilities management.
As you progress, you will gain the skills necessary to help supervise cleaning services and ensure that all cleansing specifications are strictly adhered to.
Based within the Federation’s site services department, this apprenticeship offers the opportunity to work in a diverse and community-focused educational Page 1 of 6 setting.
You will be an integral part of a team that strives to create happy learning environments and promotes high expectations for every student.
The role requires a flexible approach to working hours, with 36 hours per week scheduled between 7am and 6.30pm to meet the seasonal and operational needs of the different school sites. This multi-site environment provides a broad range of experience, from managing day-to-day school activities to assisting with major school events and lettings.
Your primary responsibilities will centre on developing the technical skills needed to maintain a secure and functional school site. You will receive training to perform security tasks such as:
Locking and unlocking buildings
Operating alarm systems
Conducting regular safety checks
Carrying out minor repairs involving general maintenance
Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring the external environment is clean and safe through activities like gardening and gritting, while also managing the school’s heating and cooling systems.
A significant portion of the role involves digital literacy, as you will be required to log maintenance issues through internal IT systems and monitor professional emails daily.
Day-to-day, you will report directly to your Nominated Manager and work closely with the other Site Services Officers. You will also act as a point of contact for the Head of School and HR Officer, particularly regarding the safeguarding of the site.
Your role involves frequent interaction with internal staff and pupils, as well as external stakeholders including parents, contractors, and facilities providers.
You will be expected to present a positive and professional image at all times, ensuring that all visitors have the correct compliance checks before they are granted entry to the school premises.
Where you'll work
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
CAPITAL CITY COLLEGE GROUP
Your training course
Facilities services operative (level 2)
Your training plan
Facilities Services Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
English (grade 4-9)
Maths (grade 4-9)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
Communication skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Other requirements
Working as a Site Services Apprentice is a physically demanding role that requires you to be active throughout the day
You will not be based in an office; instead, you will be on your feet, moving across the school grounds, and performing manual tasks
You will require an Enhanced DBS
About this company
Waltham Forest Council is ambitious and bursting with energy and opportunity. Over the coming year we will build on our incredible year as the Mayor’s first London borough of Culture 2019. Working with our communities to set out what we want Waltham Forest to be by 2030; this relates to the ever-changing world/ climate emergency, and what that means for the services and infrastructure that we provide. We need to make sure that everything we do today supports that vision,
After this apprenticeship
Possible permanent role available upon completion
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022172.