Gardener

Gardener

We currently have an opportunity for a Gardener to join our Trust Central Facilities Team. The Trust family is three schools, The Henry Box School and Queen Emma’s Primary school in Witney and Finstock Church of England Primary School.  The Central Team is based at The Henry Box School but the Gardener would work at all of the three schools within the Trust on a regular basis.  

Ideally, you will be an experienced gardener or grounds maintenance worker but we would also consider someone early in their career or someone looking for an apprenticeship provided you can demonstrate knowledge and enthusiasm for the job and commitment to training and learning.

As our gardener you will be responsible for:

• Providing a garden maintenance service including weeding, low level trimming and tidying of trees and shrubs, border tidying, deadheading, and planting

• Seasonal management of shrubs, beds, flower baskets, planters and troughs

• Maintaining composting facilities at all schools

• Ordering of plants and garden equipment as needed

• Small area grass cutting and strimming 

• Maintaining wooden facilities such as fences, benches, tables and play equipment

• Maintaining a safe, welcoming and tidy environment at the schools

The successful candidate for this role will have:

• Ability to work effectively both in a team and also on own initiative

• Good communication and customer service skills

• Current or previous experience of gardening and/or grounds maintenance 

• Knowledge in the use of gardening and general maintenance equipment and materials

• Ability to implement and adhere to standards and procedures

• Understanding of health and safety requirements 

• Reliable and punctual 

• Possession of a vehicle or cycle to travel between schools

• Physically fit and capable of manual handling tasks

• A vocational qualification in horticulture or grounds maintenance is desirable but not essential

The position is offered on a year-round contract with a paid annual leave entitlement, but a term-time only plus some school holiday working may be considered.  The working hours and days can be flexible up to 37 hours per week and will be agreed with the successful candidate.  The ability to work on regular Saturdays could be advantageous but is not essential.

All the schools in our Trust are committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All successful candidates are required to undertake enhanced DBS and other relevant pre-employment checks including references from present and previous employers.

Benefits include

• For someone experienced the salary is circa £18k to £19k FTE for 37 hours per week.  The salary will be pro rata if you want part time hours

• For someone inexperienced or an apprentice a salary circa £17.5k FTE would be offered

• Paid holiday - 24 days plus 8 bank holidays

• Local Government pension scheme 

• Free car parking on each site

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

• Cycle 2 work scheme

• PPE and some items of uniform provided

For more details please see the job description on our website at www.millacademy.co.uk

Applicants should download and complete the support staff application form from our website.

If you would like an informal discussion to find out more about the job or our Trust please contact our Chief Operating Officer, Nichola Stretton at nstretton@henrybox.oxon.sch.uk or 01993 848166.  Visits to the Academy and any school sites prior to interview are also encouraged and warmly welcomed observing social distancing, and can be arranged with Ms Stretton or the HR Team.

Closing date: Monday 25th October 2021 at 8am although applications will be considered as soon as they are received and the Trust reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at an earlier date if a suitable applicant is found.