Groundsperson

Winchester College is seeking to appoint a skilled and motivated Groundsperson to join our dedicated Grounds team. The department maintains a wide variety of prestigious sports facilities to a very high standard—including cricket squares, football pitches, and grass tennis courts—across a campus that encompasses ornamental gardens, fine mown lawns, and historic water meadows. The successful candidate will be a reliable and technically proficient professional with a passion for turf management, ensuring our playing surfaces and grounds remain safe, compliant, and presentable for pupils, Old Wykehamists, and external users.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Grounds and Gardens, the Groundsperson is part of a 10-person team responsible for the year-round preparation and upkeep of the College’s extensive outdoor estate.

Key Responsibilities:

Grounds & Sports Surface Maintenance

• Routine Upkeep: Undertake seasonal maintenance of lawns, hedges, trees, and planted areas, including mowing, strimming, pruning, weeding, and leaf clearance.

• Pitch Preparation: Assist with the preparation and upkeep of sports pitches and amenity areas to specifically high standards.

• Renovations: Support essential renovation work, including aeration, scarification, overseeding, and turf repairs, as well as delivering the comprehensive fertiliser programme.

• Estate Care: Maintain pathways, hard landscaping, and outdoor furniture to ensure the campus is safe and presentable at all times.

• Arboriculture: Assist with basic tree maintenance and monitor tree health for signs of disease or structural concerns in line with the College’s Tree Management Plan.

Health, Safety & Equipment

• Machinery Operation: Operate a range of grounds machinery and hand tools safely, adhering to departmental risk assessments and training guidelines.

• Compliance: Follow all College Health and Safety policies, the departmental code of practice, and COSHH regulations.

• Duty of Care: Proactively report hazards, defects, and incidents, ensuring playing surfaces remain safe and compliant for all users.

About You

We are seeking a hardworking individual with practical experience in grounds maintenance and a strong understanding of seasonal maintenance cycles.

Essential Skills & Qualities:

• Technical Expertise: Practical experience in grounds maintenance and sports turf environments, with the ability to operate powered and non-powered tools.

• Knowledge: Basic knowledge of plants and turf management, combined with an awareness of Health and Safety requirements for outdoor work.

• Physical Fitness: As this is a physically demanding role, candidates must have good overall fitness and be comfortable with manual handling and working outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Professionalism: Excellent time management, reliability, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team to meet site standards.

• Qualifications: A grounds maintenance qualification (minimum NVQ Level 2 or equivalent) and a full driving licence are essential.

• Desirable: PA1 and PA6 pesticide application certificates.

What We Offer

• Start Date: Flexible start date for the right candidate, with a preference for commencing as soon as possible.

• Hours of Work: This is a full-time role, 40 hours per week. A degree of flexibility is required to cover sporting fixtures, College events, and peak workloads.

• Working Pattern: Includes weekend work on a rota-based system and occasional evening hours as deemed necessary by the Head of Grounds.

• Salary: £27,315.00 (gross) per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary is paid monthly in 12 equal instalments and is reviewed annually.

How to Apply

Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.

For the full job description and to apply please see here

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Wednesday 11 March 2026

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.

Diversity and Inclusion

Winchester College is a truly international community that celebrates everyone’s individuality, talents and potential and offers regular training and career development opportunities. We embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to promoting a fair and supportive environment for all our employees. We work hard to create a culture where different perspectives are valued and our staff feel valued for their individuality and share a sense of belonging. Our aim is to reflect the diverse nature of society and of our pupil body.

Safeguarding

Winchester College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children: applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, and obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services certificate. Staff will receive appropriate safeguarding training which is regularly updated.

Sustainability

Both staff and pupils at Winchester College are committed to being the most sustainable school possible.