Main responsibilities
- Open, lock and secure the site; manage keys and alarms.
- Carry out routine maintenance and arrange repairs.
- Manage contractors on site, including permits to work and asbestos checks before works.
- Run premises compliance checks (fire alarms, emergency lighting, water hygiene, playground equipment) and keep logs.
- Support fire drills and the fire risk assessment.
- Manage cleaning and waste, and winter gritting.
- Report hazards and incidents.
Statutory duties and official sources
England. These duties belong to the employer, dutyholder or school; site managers usually carry out delegated tasks.
- Employers must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work. Source: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
- The employer (or proprietor) is accountable for health and safety; schools must appoint a competent person and have a health and safety policy; risk assessments must cover employees and non-employees including pupils. Source: DfE, Health and safety: responsibilities and duties for schools.
- The asbestos dutyholder must manage asbestos; schools should identify dutyholders and keep an asbestos management plan. Source: Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, regulation 4; DfE, Managing asbestos in your school or college.
- A responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment and maintain fire safety measures. Source: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- DfE's good estate management guidance covers compliance, maintenance and health and safety for school estates (updated July 2026, including RAAC contact changes). Source: DfE, Good estate management for schools.
- School premises standards (maintained schools and academies via funding agreements). Source: DfE, Standards for school premises.
- Contractors working regularly on site may need DBS checks; schools should risk-assess contractors and visitors. Source: KCSIE 2026, Part three (contractors and visitors).
Key dates in the school year
- Before any building work: check the asbestos register and management plan.
- Holidays: planned maintenance and contractor work.
Common challenges and good practice
- Records. Keep test and inspection logs where the competent person and leaders can see them.
- Asbestos. DfE's guidance gives examples of enforcement after minor works went ahead without competent advice; never disturb fabric without checking.
- Lone working. Agree lone-working arrangements for early opening and holiday work.
Common questions
- What does a school site manager do? Looks after buildings and grounds, security, maintenance, contractors and compliance checks.
- Who is responsible for asbestos in a school? The dutyholder — whoever has maintenance or repair obligations by contract or tenancy, or control of the premises (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, regulation 4).
- Is the site manager the school's competent person for health and safety? Not automatically; the school must appoint a competent person, who may be staff or an external adviser.
- Is a caretaker the same as a site manager? Usually a similar role; caretaker posts often have narrower duties.
