Grounds Person

Merchant Taylors’ School is a large Independent Boys’ School, situated in 280 acres of parkland in Northwood, Middlesex.

The School was founded in 1561, is owned by the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust and moved to its present site in 1933. There are four distinct boys’ day schools on campus. The Nursery, the Pre-Prep & the Prep cater for 370 boys, while the Senior School has over 960 pupils. The School employs over 110 teachers and 160 Support staff across Merchant Taylors’ School.

The school has a large range of high-class sports facilities including 11 Cricket squares, 8 Rugby, 8 Football, 6 Tennis and 3 Hockey Pitches.

The Grounds team prides itself on providing the highest standard on all its sporting surfaces; our relationship with Middlesex CCC does give us a strong focus on cricket with first class matches to academy U10 matches being played at the school.

This year we are hosting 3 T20 Blast games and a 4-day county championship game.

This is an ideal opportunity to join a team to enhance your knowledge in a broad spectrum of sports.

Under supervision of the Grounds Manager, maintain the playing surfaces and facilities to the required standard for the user. Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake routine preparation and maintenance work on a range of sports facilities and surfaces. Undertake all preparatory and cultivation work to maintain safe quality playing surfaces.

• Set up all sports pitches or amenity surfaces. Undertake minor construction and landscaping work. Follows standard procedures requiring knowledge of the functional area.

• Drive vehicles and equipment as required for grounds maintenance operations.

• Ensure vehicles and equipment used by self and work group are regularly maintained in accordance with routine operating requirements. Monitor the use of consumable items and spares and make arrangements for their replenishment.

• Ensure the safe use, storage, calibration and disposal of pesticides and other similar substances. Promote the Health and Safety of self and others. Respond to emergencies.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, colleagues and end users.

• Make recommendations to supervisor regarding improved work systems, labour and machinery utilisation.

• Maintain good communications with customers and end users. To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required and requested by your line manager to meet the School’s priorities and demands.

Hours Term time

8.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

8.00 am – 12.00 noon One in four Saturdays (Autumn and Spring Term)

8.00 am – 12 noon Alternative Saturdays (Summer Term Only)

School Holidays 8.00 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday, only.

Some extra hours will be required during the summer term to cope with the demands of cricket at the school. The hours worked will be 40 hours per week on average over the year (shorter working week in the winter)

Closing date for applications Friday 4th April 2025, 9am

Interviews to be held Thursday 10th April 2025 Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early.

Merchant Taylors’ School is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As this role will bring you into contact with children you are expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).