Grounds Maintenance Assistant

Line Manager: Head Groundsman

The Role

The King’s School, Gloucester is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Assistant to work with the Estates team in preparing and maintaining the School grounds, gardens and sports pitches, ensuring the professional appearance of the School to all visitors, parents, pupils and staff. In addition, as a member of the wider Estates team, the Grounds Maintenance Assistant will undertake a range of duties concerned with the School premises and support the day-to-day running of the School. The successful candidate will be based at our sports pavilion at Archdeacon Meadow.

The School

The King’s School, Gloucester has a rich academic tradition dating back to its founding in 1541. It houses the longest-serving classroom in Europe and is held in high esteem amongst the local and wider community, winning Gloucestershire Independent School of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and being Highly Commended again in 2022. Following the 2022 ISI Inspection, King’s was proud to be declared excellent in all areas.

Main Duties             

• Set out and prepare borders ready for planting, and maintain established plants and shrubs within the borders;
• Maintain hanging baskets and planters;
• Pruning and maintenance of trees, hedging, shrubs and herbaceous plants with in the school as directed by the Head Groundsman;
• Carry out operations on lawns with the use of pedestrian and ride-on equipment to scarify, aerate, top-dress, over-seed, lift and lay turf, feed, irrigate and cut;
• Maintain garden benches and furniture;
• Keep grounds free from litter, debris and weeds;
• Safely use, maintain and clean grounds and horticulture equipment;
• Support school events as and when required;
• Periodically assist with sports pitch operations such as mowing, pitch maintenance, setting out for matches and other non-gardener tasks within the School as directed by the Head Groundsman;
• Work in a safe and tidy manner and ensure that all work activities are conducted in line with risk assessments and relevant regulations so as not to put yourself or others at risk;
• Work within the School’s Safeguarding guidance for staff and follow relevant organisational procedures;
• Any other duties that may be reasonably be assigned by the Facilities Manager, Bursar or Headmaster.

Personal Profile

• Enthusiastic and proactive attitude to cope with the many demands placed on the department;
• Capable of showing initiative, including the ability to think ahead and work flexibly according to the needs of School events;
• Excellent communication skills, able to build relationships and work well within a small team;
• High standards and attention to detail;
• Full, clean driving licence;
• Active interest in sport;
• Appropriate NVQ Level 2 qualification in Horticulture, or similar qualification / equivalent experience;
• PA1 and PA6 qualification.

Hours of Work

The Grounds Maintenance Assistant will work 37.5 hours per week, from 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday. There may be other occasions when you are required to work, including evenings and weekends, and remuneration for these hours will be given.

Holidays

Holiday entitlement will be 25 days per annum plus Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days per annum plus Bank holidays after 5 years’ service.

Benefits

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fees remission for children at King’s;
• Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a Doctor for advice and short consultations;
• Staff Wellbeing Programme;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Lunches;
• Parking.

Applications

Candidates should apply through TES or by sending a completed School Application Form and Covering Letter via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on 01452 337337 or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.

The King’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including: references from previous employers, a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the enhanced level, as well as eligibility to work in the UK (in compliance with UK immigration regulations). Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates’ suitability to work with children. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education an online search will be carried out for short listed candidates only – this will consist of a Google and social media search. The search is looking for anything that calls into question the candidate’s suitability to work with children, or could cause harm to the reputation of The King’s School. Any information discovered will be shared with members of the interviewing panel prior to interview.