Think the Headteacher/Principal is important?
Think again. Education relies on the School Caretaker. Here’s a quick tongue in cheek profile of one of the most awesome of educational employees

Or should that be Premises Superintendent?
Whatever the title the responsibilities are the same – building management, grounds management, teacher management, headteacher management, after curricular activities management, lettings management etc. etc. etc.
The list actually could go on and on and on - showing that the School Caretaker is one of the most important, most influential and yet one of the least recognised of influential figures in UK education.
You don’t upset the School caretaker. This rule applies whether you are a classroom teacher or the Headteacher/Principal. Not only do you not upset him/her, you don’t even think about upsetting him/her. You ask their permission to do things, you crave their indulgence when things don’t go according to plan and you apologise profusely when things go wrong.
School Caretakers regard school buildings as THEIR buildings and the things inside them as THEIR things:

You will not press drawing pins into plastered walls
You will not put sellotape onto painted walls.
You will not interfere with the radiator valves in your classroom/office.
You will not hang things from the ceiling.
You will not change your room round and scuff the carpets.
You will stop boys and girls wearing rubber soled shoes that leave black skid marks on the corridor linoleum.
You will be responsible for the chewing gum stowed safely under the tables in your room.
You don’t need to have to have that fluorescent tube in your room changed till next term.
You will not allow boys in muddy boots to stand outside changing rooms to take off their muddy boots. Such boots should be removed while still on the field. Changing rooms should not be muddy!
There’s nothing wrong with IZAL toilet roll.
You will not lose your keys – even temporarily.

These are just some of the things that School Caretakers care passionately about. There are many, many other things about teachers that caretakers have good cause to discuss and complain about. More about these soon.
In the meantime if you’d like to contribute to our tongue in cheek Job Profile section then post a comment or submit an article.