At a Glance
- Tasks: Help maintain stunning sports turf and beautiful grounds at a prestigious school.
- Company: Join the vibrant ESMS family, known for excellence in education and facilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, sports club access, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dedicated team making a real impact on school grounds.
- Qualifications: Experience with gardening tools or a passion for outdoor work is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 29823 - 30410 £ per year.
Number Of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Full Time Permanent
Contract Details: 1 x fulltime, permanent position working 39 hours per week Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings on a rota basis
Salary: Remuneration is dependant on skills and experience.
Working Hours: Up to 45 hours per week
Location: Edinburgh
Closing Date: 18/08/2026
Department: Estates, Grounds & Gardens
Region / Division: ESMS
Job Role: Operational/Professional Services
The Role: Erskine Stewart Melville are renowned for its high-quality sporting facilities and prestigious landscaped campuses. These roles will be directly involved in maintaining and presenting our high-level sports turf surfaces and campuses to a high standard, whilst ensuring Site Safety across our School sites. We welcome applications from a diverse range of outdoor professionals, including those with experience in school grounds, golf course greenkeeping and commercial landscaping. In-house training will be available.
We Are Currently Seeking a Motivated Assistant Groundsperson To Join Our Dedicated Grounds Teams For The Following Position On a Full-time Basis:
- 1 x Permanent position, working 39 hours per week Monday to Friday, including four hours on Saturday mornings, on a rota basis to assist with setting up of sports equipment, with a salary of £29,823 to £30,410 per annum dependent on skills and experience.
The successful candidate must have a full UK driving license, to operate school vehicles on and between sites. Candidates with the below desired experience, or who have a keen interest in developing their capabilities are encouraged to apply:
- Experience in using pedestrian, petrol engine rotary and cylinder mowers; and petrol engine hedge trimmers and strimmers
- Experience of using amenity range diesel tractors with various mounted implements, such as trailed gang mowers, rotary mowers, turf aerators, sand spreaders, trailers, and drag brushes
- Qualifications in NC Horticulture, City and Guilds Horticulture Level 2-3, NVQ/SVC level 2-3 in Greenkeeping/Sports turf maintenance or equivalent experience
Eligibility: ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right work in the UK.
Benefits:
- Fee remission from Nursery to S6
- Free school lunches
- Paid moving house day
- Free Sports' Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
- Auto-enrolment in the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme
- Death in service benefit
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave
- Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
- Employee Assistance Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
- Annual professional review process
- Regular salary reviews
- Funding towards professional qualifications
Values: We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role modelling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community. ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people therefore all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Any enquiries about this position should be directed to recruitment@esms.org.uk
The closing date for applications is 12pm Tuesday 18 August 2026. We anticipate interviews are likely to take shortly after.
About ESMS: Welcome to the ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co-educational nursery and junior school, single-sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co-educational sixth form. We are a consistently award-winning School, with an educational legacy that stretches back more than 300 years. Our Schools have always been pioneers of rounded education. Children's education is underpinned by our values: kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity. From virtual reality headsets in the classroom to developing one of the first outdoor learning programmes in Scotland, we are always searching for new ways to develop the whole child. The people that work for us are passionate, pioneering and strive for excellence in everything they do. We value the incredible contributions they make to school life, we invest in their careers and we support their ambitions so that they flourish professionally and personally.
ASSISTANT GROUNDSPERSON employer: Erskine Stewart Melville
Erskine Stewart Melville (ESMS) is an exceptional employer located in the heart of Edinburgh, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises kindness, confidence, and professional growth. With comprehensive benefits including fee remission for children, free school lunches, and access to extensive sports facilities, ESMS fosters a supportive environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. The commitment to employee development through regular reviews and funding for qualifications makes this role particularly rewarding for those passionate about maintaining high-quality grounds in an educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ASSISTANT GROUNDSPERSON
✨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 Erskine Stewart Melville.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Erskine Stewart Melville.
✨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 Erskine Stewart Melville; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace ASSISTANT GROUNDSPERSON
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Erskine Stewart Melville.
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 ASSISTANT GROUNDSPERSON.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Erskine Stewart Melville 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.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Erskine Stewart Melville a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Erskine Stewart Melville
✨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 Erskine Stewart Melville might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
