Minibus Driver and Site Assistant

Horizons Specialist Academy Trust

Are you practical, reliable and passionate about making a difference to young people's lives? Horizons Specialist Academy Trust is seeking a dedicated Minibus Driver & Site Assistant to help provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our students while supporting vital transport services. The successful candidate will support our transport services and site maintenance across our sites in Bracknell (Great Hollands Primary School) and Reading (College Road and Cranbury Road)

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied role combining premises support, maintenance duties and student transport responsibilities within a specialist education setting.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing [email removed] or calling [phone removed].About the Role

As our Minibus Driver & Site Assistant, you will play an important role in ensuring our school facilities are safe, well maintained and fit for purpose. You will also support the safe transportation of students to and from school and educational activities using school vehicles. Responsibilities include maintaining site security, assisting with maintenance and refurbishment works, supporting health and safety compliance, and carrying out routine vehicle and site inspections.

Key Responsibilities

Support the maintenance, safety and security of the school premises, grounds and facilities.

Drive school minibuses to transport students safely to and from school and off-site activities.

Conduct routine inspections of buildings, grounds, equipment and vehicles.

Assist with health and safety compliance, including fire safety and statutory checks.

Support contractors and maintenance projects across the site

Act as a key holder and support site security procedures.

Maintain accurate records relating to maintenance activities and inspections.

Build positive relationships with students, colleagues, parents and external partners.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

Holds a full UK driving licence.

Has experience working in a maintenance, facilities or similar environment.

Has knowledge of building maintenance and health and safety requirements. [

Can work independently, prioritise tasks and use initiative.

Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Is flexible, proactive and committed to delivering high standards.

Understands the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.

Why Join Horizons?

At Horizons, we are committed to providing outstanding opportunities for young people with additional needs. Our staff make a real difference every day by creating an environment where students can thrive, achieve and reach their full potential.

We offer:

A welcoming and supportive team environment.

Opportunities for professional development and training.

A varied and rewarding role.

The chance to make a meaningful impact on students' lives.

About Horizons Alternative Provision Academy

Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is an Alternative Education provision for young people ranging from 5-16 years old. We support learners who have been permanently excluded from mainstream settings and provide preventative support to those who are at risk of permanent exclusion. Additionally, we support those that unintentionally exclude themselves from education and children who cannot access school for medical reasons. We are a multi-site organisation which includes our Primary provisions, based at Great Hollands Primary School in Bracknell and College Road in Reading, and Secondary provision, based at Cranbury Road in Reading. We have Outreach teams that provide specialist support within schools, a tutoring service, offer vocational courses in Hair & Beauty and Multi-skills and run a Hospital Teaching Service based at Royal Berkshire Hospital who provide education to children on short and long term stays. Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is a fast paced, energetic setting where we pride ourselves on a strong team ethic, always working together to create a nurturing and supportive setting for our student's alternative pathway to success.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact [email removed] for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references