Gardener

Manor House School is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic gardener to work alongside our stunning gardens. Situated in a 17 acre site in Surrey’s commuter belt, the 17th century Manor House sits amidst formal areas around a main front lawn with a natural wildlife area and an orchard. The school has been voted one of the UK’s most beautiful schools by The Telegraph 2016 and is a glorious setting for anyone to work in. 

Reporting to the Site Manager, the following is an indication of the range of possible tasks and is not exhaustive.
Key tasks/responsibilities

• Maintenance of lawns using appropriate equipment including but not limited to lawnmowers, strimmers, edging tools and scarifiers. Training must be requested and provided before use of equipment not within the jobholder’s experience or knowledge.
• Be responsible for maintenance of registers and other documentation pertaining to health and Safety and COSHH regulations. To undertake necessary training to achieve and/or maintain mandatory qualifications.
• The bringing on and (when necessary) planting out of bedding and watering of plants, hanging baskets and tubs.
• Maintenance and pruning of hedges and fruit trees.
• Maintenance of herbaceous borders, weeding and digging of borders.
• Assist with keeping paths, walkways, steps, fire escapes and entrance roads clear of leaves, other vegetable matter, ice, snow and excess rainfall.
• Keeping the greenhouse and equipment in good order.
• The application of herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers to paths and borders, lawns and any other areas, taking due regard of all safety advice.
• Collection of materials, plants etc. using school transport (e.g. school minibus).
• Driving of school minibus with pupils e.g. to a local station or trips out.
• Standing in for the groundsman when he is on leave or away.
• Be flexible and assist other team members with the smooth running of the school, e.g. the moving of furniture and other heavy objects, setting out and clearing away for events, car parking duty during events.
• Assisting with swimming pool maintenance if required.
• Ensure that the site is kept free of litter and debris.
• Advise the Facilities Manager on development of new planting schemes and other initiatives to make the site more attractive.
• Carry out basic maintenance to machinery, tools and equipment and ensure specialist annual maintenance is carried out as required. To be responsible for their security and safe operation, particularly with regard to pupils on site.
• Draw to the attention of the Facilities Manager any items of repair and maintenance that require contractors to be engaged, or any health and safety issues that require urgent or immediate attention.
• Provide additional support at events such as Open Days (including Saturday Open Morning), Prize Giving, Sports Days, School concerts/productions, parent picnics, Christmas Fayre etc. as required, which may include moving furniture, heavy objects and equipment. To be prepared to attend outside normal working hours, with reasonable notice.
• Attendance at the Bookham open gardens.
• Understand and put into practice school policies i.e. Health and Safety and in accordance with the Staff Handbook.
• Provide the Housekeeper with logs for the fireplaces in the Main House.
• Maintenance and cleaning of the pond.
• Assist the Maintenance Department when required.
• Maintain, repair and replace if needed, fencing around the school.

For a full job description please see the attached files

Closing Date:05 July 2018. 

Interview details on application.Any further queries please email the HR department.

Manor House School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people which all staff share responsibility. We have an extensive policy on safer recruitment practices which ensures those unsuitable for working with children are identified at the initial stages. All staff in regulated activity with pupils are subject to the standard pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check. Volunteers and visitors are also subject to identity checks.