Estates Manager

Hampton Court House School

Hampton Court House School is part of the Dukes Education family of schools and educators, brought together by a common purpose: to give children the foundations for an extraordinary life.

Hampton Court House is a Grade II listed 18th-century building on the edge of Bushy Park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, built the house in 1757. The estate is Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Hampton Court House School, or HCH, as it is popularly known.

They are an independent co-educational day school for ages 2 – 18, educating Early Years children in their Pre-Prep School & Nursery, The Little Courtiers, to students in Year 13. The majority of pupils elect to stay on to complete their full education, enjoying great success in their GCSEs and A Levels: in 2023, 40% of A Level grades were awarded A*/A, resulting in a 100% Oxbridge and Russell Group application success rate.

HCH offers an extraordinary education and place of inspiration for learning where children are at the heart of everything they do. Their progressive curriculum blends academic excellence with experiential learning, languages, and the arts, nurturing each child’s individual passions and skills.

Beyond academics, they equip young people through developing their sense of self, independence, empathy, and emotional intelligence, preparing students to thrive and make a positive impact. Set in a beautiful natural and historic environment, HCH provides a nurturing space where children love to be and to learn, striving to create a culture where they feel respected, valued, and cared for by every member of staff, and are empowered to grow, flourish and achieve.

HCH Values

• Readiness: We arrive prepared, punctual and equipped, ready to engage and learn, while respecting school expectations and presentation standards
• Responsibility: We take ownership of our actions, seek help when needed, and prioritise safety, patience and pride in our work.
• Respect: We act with kindness, integrity, and inclusivity, valuing others’ contributions and maintaining a clean, positive environment.
• Results: We strive for excellence, reflect on mistakes, and inspire others while actively contributing to the school community.

What we believe in:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy, and respect, fostering harmony that enhances collaboration and inclusivity.
• Courage: We approach challenges with resilience, optimism, and integrity, staying true to our values in all situations.
• Curiosity: We embrace exploration and questioning, using curiosity to fuel critical thinking, learning, and shared growth.
• Creativity: We turn imaginative ideas into reality, finding connections, solving problems, and embracing risk as part of the creative process.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview

The Estates Manager is responsible for taking a strategic approach to managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure of the school facilities including academic buildings, sports facilities, gardens and grounds, in close conjunction with the Deputy Head Compliance and the Regional Head of Property. Responsibilities include managing the capital developments as per the School’s Masterplan, working with appointed consultants and contractors to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with Local planning authority and Heritage regulations. All works are completed and delivered to timelines and budgets with the support of the Property Team.

The role

The Role: Estates Manager
Responsible to: Deputy Head Compliance, Regional Head of Property
Responsible for: Estates, Grounds

Strategy & estates planning

• Monitoring & reporting on all planned and reactive maintenance for the school
• Developing and delivering an efficient maintenance and grounds support function for the school
• Developing and delivering sustainable plans which support an aim of continuous improvement.
• Working with the Deputy Head Compliance and Regional Head of Property to plan and implement all Estates development within the school.
• Ensuring all works completed are within the local planning and heritage regulations seeking any relevant LBC’s and permits.
• Support and feed into the schools 3,5,10-year strategic plans

Health & safety legislation

• Monitoring and maintaining buildings and estates regulatory compliance, including but not exhaustive to RAMS, (risk assessments and method statements), L8 water management, PAT, fixed wiring, Asbestos, Fire Systems, LEV, EML, Hand tools, LOLAR, MEWPS, towers & ladders
• Actively monitoring and responding to relevant ISI compliance requirements, including documentation.

Minor estates projects

• Ensuring all planned and reactive works are planned and completed in a timely manner to a high standard and within budget.

Contractor management

• Managing supplier performance, planning and ordering services, goods and approving orders as required within budget parameters.
• Assisting the Head, Deputy head OPS when tendering for new contracts
• Monitoring and ensuring that supplier contract terms and conditions are always met.
• Taking responsibility for safe working practices
• Taking responsibility for checking and approving quality of contractor work
• Liaising with suppliers and contractors.

Site maintenance work

• Prioritising work across the estate to ensure a safe, clean and tidy environment that continues to give a positive image.

Administration/recordkeeping

• Ensuring all works and PPMs are recorded and logged for future inspection.
• IT literate, competent in Excel & Word, PowerPoint

Team communication

• Managing the workload to provide an efficient, effective, and responsive service.
• Line management of the small estates team.
• Communicating with staff on maintenance works and projects.
• Supporting the Deputy Head Compliance and reporting on all property and Estates issues direct to Regional Head of Property.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of management and the wider community.

Financial management

• Preparing budget requirements for all areas of responsibility.
• Ensuring that effective financial procedures are in place and followed to manage expenditure within budgets.
• Ensuring that effective procurement procedures are followed, securing value for money in all procurement exercises.

Other

• Attending meetings and School events as requested by the Deputy Head Compliance.
• Out of hours work as and when required.
• Undertaking any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Bursar.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skillset

• A wide understanding of the building industry including knowledge of materials, trades and methods.
• Understanding of and experience in implementing Health and Safety requirements including fire safety.
• Experience with Building Management Systems.
• Project management.
• Strong experience in Site Management.
• Ability to work without supervision, in an organised manner with energy and enthusiasm, whilst being part of a wider team.
• Ability to produce and interpret relevant financial information; including the preparation of effective budgets and monitoring expenditures against them.
• Effective procurement and contract negotiating skills and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent ICT Skills.

Desirable

• Relevant building related qualification or accreditation in property-related matters.
• Health and Safety Qualification, IOSH/NEBOSH or willing to work towards either.
• Experience managing an estate with a varied building stock.
• Experience with Listed buildings.
• Full, clean UK driving licence.
• Prior schools experience or equivalent.
• Prior experience in leading teams.
• The ability to lead and manage people to work towards a common goal.
• Able to provide focus and direction.
• Ability to coach and mentor direct reports.
• The ability to show an interest in the welfare, happiness, and professional development of those under your leadership.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Start Date: ASAP upon completion of all relevant checks.
Salary: Competitive, dependent upon experience
Hours: 40 hours per week; flexibility is essential. Core hours 07:00-16:00 Monday – Friday. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the criteria outlined in the person criteria.
• Please include details of two referees in either your CV or cover letter. Note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent, and only should you be successful in the recruitment process.

The closing date for this role is Wednesday 8 January 2025.