Groundsperson

Winchester College was founded by Royal Charter in 1382.  The school buildings were opened in 1394 and have been in use ever since.  The original statutes made provision for a Warden and ten Fellows (the Governing Body) to run the College; 70 scholars with two masters to instruct them; and, for the Chapel services, three Chaplains and 16 choirboys (Quiristers).  All of these elements are still in place in the community.

The Head of Grounds is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Department and reports to the Estates Bursar who is the Head of Department.

The Grounds team are responsible for the day-to-day management of the sports grounds, preparing pitches for the pupils, Old Wykehamist, and other external users.

The department is based in Kingsgate Road and maintains a wide variety of sports facilities to a very high standard, including football pitches, cricket squares, grass tennis courts and various artificial surfaces. In addition, the College campus covers many acres of land including fine mown areas, ornamental gardens and lawns, gardens within the boarding houses, and water meadows.

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 Maintenance

• Undertake routine maintenance of lawns, hedges, trees and planted areas.

• Carry out mowing, strimming, pruning, weeding, mulching, and leaf clearance in accordance with seasonal requirements.

• Maintain pathways, hard landscaping and outdoor furniture to a safe and presentable standard.

Sports surfaces and amenity areas

• Assist under the direction of the Head of Grounds and Deputy head grounds person with the preparation and upkeep of sports pitches and amenity areas.

• Support renovations work including aeration, scarification, overseed and turf repairs as well as delivering the colleges comprehensive fertiliser program.

• Ensure playing surfaces are safe, compliant and maintained to specifically high standards.

Arboriculture and Tree care

• Assist with basic tree maintenance in line with Winchester college Tree management plan.

• Monitor tree health and report signs of disease, pest damage and structural concerns to the Head of Grounds.

Health and Safety compliance

• Operate machinery and equipment safely within parameters highlighted in departmental risk assessments and training guidelines.

• Adhere to all college health and safety policies, department code of practice, and COSHH regulations.

• Report hazards, defects and incidents proactively and express a duty of care towards colleagues, students and visitors of the college.

Person Specification and Key Qualities

Skills and Competencies

• Practical experience in grounds maintenance.

• Ability to operate grounds machinery and hand tools.

• Awareness of health and safety requirements regarding working outdoors and with machinery and powered equipment.

• Basic knowledge of plants, turf management and seasonal maintenance cycles.

• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

• Good time management and reliability.

Teamwork and Communication

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver planned and reactive maintenance programs.

• Respond to requests and issues in a professional and timely manner.

• Communicate effectively with supervisors and other departments when required.

• Contribution to team objectives and site standards.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grounds maintenance qualification with a minimum of NVQ level 2 equivalence.

• PA1 and PA6 pesticide application certificates (Desired).

• Previous experience in grounds maintenance and sports turf environments.

• Full driving license (Essential).

Working Conditions

• Outdoor working in all weather conditions.

• This role is physically demanding requiring good overall fitness including manual handling of equipment, manual handling .

• Regular use of powered and non-powered tools. 

What We Offer

Start Date

Flexible start date for the right candidate with preference for commencing as soon as possible.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time role, 40 hours per week, where staff will be expected to accept reasonable flexibility in working arrangements and the allocation of duties to reflect the dynamic roles and responsibilities within the College environment.

This will include weekend work on a rota-based system as well as additional evening hours to cover sporting fixtures, College events and additional workloads, as deemed necessary by the Head of Grounds..

Salary

Salary will be £27,315.00 (gross) per annum commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary is paid monthly, in arrears, to a nominated back account in 12 equal payments. Salary levels are reviewed on 1 September annually and this appointment will be next reviewed in September 2026.

How to Apply

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

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

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Friday 1 May 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.