At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain stunning 28-acre school grounds, including sports pitches and gardens.
- Company: Join the friendly Littlegarth School community in a beautiful rural setting.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, lunch during term time, and paid overtime.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on outdoor learning and sports for children.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds management and confidence using machinery required.
The predicted salary is between 30060 - 31022 £ per year.
Littlegarth School is looking for a hands-on, self-motivated Groundskeeper to join our site team and help maintain our beautiful 28-acre school grounds to a high standard. This is a varied outdoor role covering sports turf, grounds maintenance, land management, gardens, paddocks, trees, hedgerows and Forest School areas. It would suit someone with strong grounds management experience who takes pride in presentation, enjoys working as part of a school community and is confident managing their own workload.
At Littlegarth, we are a happy, friendly, caring and forward-thinking independent prep school for children aged 2 to 11, set in a fantastic rural location near Colchester on the Essex/Suffolk border. Our school grounds play an important part in everyday school life, supporting sport, outdoor learning, Forest School, events and the wider school community. We are proud to provide children with the space, facilities and opportunities to flourish, whether through sport, art, Science, design technology, cookery, ICT, Forest School, music or drama. Our grounds are a key part of that experience, and this role is central to keeping them safe, attractive, practical and well-presented throughout the year.
As Groundskeeper, you will be responsible for maintaining and managing a wide range of outdoor areas across our 28-acre site, which is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. You will help provide first-class playing surfaces and sports pitches, including cricket wickets, rugby, hockey and general sports areas, while also supporting the maintenance of gardens, paddocks, lawns, trees, hedgerows, pathways, hard surfaces and outdoor facilities. You will work closely with the Site Manager and the school’s busy sports department to ensure pitches, grounds and outdoor spaces are prepared, maintained and available when needed.
What you’ll be doing:
- Maintaining sports pitches and playing surfaces, including cricket wickets, rugby and hockey pitches
- Carrying out regular grounds maintenance across lawns, gardens, paddocks, hedgerows, trees and hard surfaces
- Preparing and maintaining outdoor areas for the school’s sports programme and fixtures
- Supporting the upkeep of Forest School areas and wider outdoor learning spaces
- Using and maintaining grounds machinery, plant and powered equipment
- Operating tractors, ride-on mowers, mowers, blowers, cutters, strimmers and other grounds equipment
- Maintaining sports equipment including hockey goals, rugby posts, cricket equipment and outdoor structures
- Supporting landscaping, grounds development and improvement projects
- Working with the Site Manager on planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluating grounds-related works
- Liaising with contractors and monitoring quality, cost and performance where required
- Keeping external areas clean, tidy, safe and well-presented
- Supporting snow and ice clearance during adverse weather
- Ensuring grounds equipment is stored, maintained and serviced correctly
- Keeping up to date with relevant grounds industry and health and safety developments
What we’re looking for:
- Extensive grounds management experience, including sports turf management
- Experience maintaining cricket wickets, sports pitches or formal playing surfaces
- Strong experience using and maintaining grounds-related plant and powered machinery
- Confidence using equipment such as tractors, mowers, blowers, cutters, strimmers and ride-on mowers
- Brushcutting and/or flail arm competency
- PA1 and PA6 pesticide certification
- Clean driving licence
- Ability to drive tractors, mules and ride-on mowers
- Good working knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
- Ability to plan work, set priorities and manage seasonal workloads
- A practical, flexible and positive approach
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Good communication skills and the ability to work well within a school site team
Desirable experience and qualifications:
- Level 2 qualification in Horticulture, Grounds Management, Greenkeeping, Sports Turf Management or similar
- CS30 cross-cutting chainsaw qualification
- PA2 pesticide certification
- Pond management experience
- Experience working in a school, estate, sports club, private grounds or similar environment
Working hours:
The role is permanent and can be full-time or part-time. For a full-time position, core hours range between: 6:00am – 2:00pm or 7:30am – 3:30pm. Hours vary depending on the time of year, with some flexibility required. The role is Monday to Friday throughout the year. There will also be a number of evening events each term where additional hours may be required to prepare the site or be on site. Overtime is paid for these occasions.
Salary and benefits:
- £30,000 - £32,000 annum, depending on experience
- Permanent role
- Full-time or part-time considered
- Lunch provided during term time
- Employee Assistance Programme
- 25 days’ paid holiday per year for a full-time person, to be taken during school holidays
- Statutory holidays paid
- Paid overtime for additional hours and evening events
- Supportive school community and site team
- Opportunity to work in a beautiful 28-acre rural school setting
Safeguarding:
Littlegarth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with current and past employers, online searches and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Apply today:
If you are an experienced Groundskeeper with strong sports turf, grounds maintenance and machinery experience, and you would like to play an important role in maintaining a beautiful school site, we would like to hear from you.
Groundskeeper in Great Horkesley employer: Chappell Enterprises UK
Littlegarth School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly work environment where you can thrive as part of a dedicated team. With the opportunity to work in a stunning 28-acre rural setting, employees benefit from a strong community spirit, generous holiday allowances, and paid overtime for additional hours, all while contributing to the enriching experiences of children aged 2 to 11. Join us to enjoy meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of our students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Groundskeeper in Great Horkesley
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Chappell Enterprises UK.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
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✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Chappell Enterprises UK; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Groundskeeper in Great Horkesley
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Groundskeeper.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Chappell Enterprises UK is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Chappell Enterprises UK
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Chappell Enterprises UK might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
