Independent Preparatory School | Buckhurst Hill, Essex
Permanent | 30 Hours Per Week
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Start Date: As soon as possible - September 2026
Hays Education is pleased to be supporting a prestigious and expanding independent preparatory school in Essex in the appointment of a dedicated and reliable Minibus Driver.
This is an excellent opportunity for a professional driver who enjoys working within an educational environment and takes pride in providing a safe, dependable, and welcoming transport service for pupils.
The successful candidate will be responsible for transporting children to and from a range of educational activities, sporting fixtures, school events, educational visits,and other journeys as required by the school.
The Opportunity
Our client is seeking a highly professional individual who is committed to pupil safety, exceptional customer service, and flexibility.
The role is contracted at 30 hours per week, averaging approximately 6 hours per day. However, the working pattern will vary according to the needs of the school. While shifts will always fall between 8:00am and 5:00pm, some days may require fewer hours and others may require longer working days.
As such, the school is looking for someone who is genuinely flexible and comfortable adapting their schedule to support the changing needs of school operations throughout the academic year.
This position would suit an individual who is organised, dependable, and enjoys being part of a busy and supportive school community.
Key Responsibilities
Safely transport pupils, staff, and authorised visitors to and from school activities.
Operate the school's minibus in accordance with all road traffic legislation and school policies.
Conduct daily vehicle safety inspections and complete relevant vehicle checks and records.
Ensure that all passengers travel safely and comfortably.
Support the safe boarding and disembarking of pupils.
Maintain high standards of vehicle cleanliness and presentation.
Report any vehicle defects, maintenance requirements, or incidents promptly.
Work closely with school leaders and administrative staff to coordinate transport schedules.
Assist with transport arrangements for educational trips, sporting fixtures, performances, and special events.
Adhere to safeguarding, health and safety, and school transport procedures at all times.Flexible Working Requirements
The successful candidate must understand and embrace the flexible nature of this role.
The position is contracted for 30 hours per week, with an average working day of approximately 6 hours.
However:
Working hours will vary depending on pupil and school requirements.
Some days may involve shorter shifts and other days may require longer working hours.
All working hours will be scheduled between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
Flexibility is essential to accommodate educational visits, sporting events, and changing school transport needs.
Advance notice of schedules will be provided wherever possible.Candidates should be comfortable working within a flexible timetable and be able to adapt to the operational requirements of a busy independent school.
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
Previous professional driving experience.
A strong commitment to safety and safeguarding.
Excellent time management and organisational skills.
A calm, professional, and friendly manner.
The ability to build positive relationships with pupils, parents, and staff.
Strong communication skills.
A flexible and adaptable approach to working hours.
Excellent attendance and reliability.Essential Requirements
Full UK Driving Licence.
D1 entitlement on licence (or equivalent qualification permitting minibus driving).
Excellent driving record.
Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check.
Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children.Desirable Experience
Previous experience driving within a school, education, community transport, or passenger transport setting.
MIDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) certification.
First Aid qualification.
Experience working with children and young people.What the School Offers
Opportunity to join a respected and growing independent preparatory school.
A supportive and collaborative working environment.
Modern fleet and well-maintained facilities.
A rewarding role contributing directly to pupil wellbeing and educational experiences.
Long-term stability and career development opportunities.
Competitive salary and benefits package.Hays Education
Hays Education specialises in recruiting talented professionals for schools and educational institutions across the UK. We are committed to helping schools build exceptional teams and supporting candidates in finding rewarding career opportunities.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and early applications are encouraged.
To Apply
Please apply now or for a confidential discussion, please contact Aamir Malik at or call (phone number removed).
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)
Salary description
£25000.00 - £30000.00 per year