School Gardener

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Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country's leading state boarding schools founded in 1667.

The majority of the School's students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas.

In September 2021, girls joined the lower school, having been studying here as Sixth Formers since 2004.

To support this expansion, a modern and state-of-the art teaching building, Swinford Court, was acquired, and as such has increased the footprint of our campus by about a fifth.

At OSH, we combine academic excellence, exceptional pastoral care and a rich co-curricular programme within a distinctive community that enables every young person to thrive.

At the heart of OSH is a deep and enduring belief in the potential of every young person.

Rooted in a rich heritage of educational opportunity, scholarship and character development, our school is much more than a place of learning - it's a community where students are known, valued and developed in a way that will allow them to flourish in their adult lives and contribute positively to society.

This philosophy is reflected in every aspect of life at OSH.

Alongside a strong academic curriculum, we offer an extensive co-curricular programme that includes competitive sport, music, drama, the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and a wide range of clubs and societies.

These opportunities play a vital role in developing character, fostering curiosity and nurturing qualities such as leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability and resilience.

Person Specification The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and competencies: A minimum of 5 years' gardening experience;

A full, clean driving licence is essential;

All works must be carried out in a safe and responsible manner ensuring Health and Safety procedures are followed at all times;

• Must be able to communicate confidently;
• An eye for detail and accuracy;
• A professional manner and appearance
• Self-motivated with a positive, professional attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team yet also to work under own initiative;
• Flexible approach and adaptable;
• Ability to cope with the physical requirements of the job;

Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

Job Specification The Gardener is responsible to the Site Manager and shall: General Gardening & Horticulture

• Beds & Borders: Plant, weed, prune, and mulch flower beds, shrubberies, and decorative front-of-school green spaces.
• Lawn

Management: Cut amenity grass areas, strim edges, and maintain neat perimeters across the campus.

• Hedge & Tree

Care: Maintain hedges and low-level tree branches to ensure clear sightlines and clean aesthetics.

• Sports Pitch & Athletics Maintenance
• Line

Marking: Carry out initial layout, measurement, and regular re-marking of lines for all summer and winter sports pitches (e. g., football, rugby, running tracks, rounders pitches).

• Turf

Care: Perform seasonal turf maintenance including precision mowing, aeration, top-dressing, over-seeding, and fertilizing including Treherns.

• Surface

Prep: Maintain all-weather or synthetic sports surfaces (e. g., tennis courts & MUGA).

• Fixture

Readying: Set up sports day tracks, goals, nets, and flags ahead of school fixtures.

• Site Cleanliness & Safety
• Debris

Clearance: Keep pathways, courtyards, tennis courts and external entrances clear of leaves, moss, and litter.

• Undertake cleaning of debris from gutters, drains and storm water drains;
• Winter

Operations: Clear snow and spread grit or salt on essential footpaths and car parks during freezing weather, which may require early starts.

• Boundary

Integrity: Routinely check and report defects or damage to perimeter fences, gates, and outdoor structures.

• Carry out a visual inspections all trees on the school property and report any that are in need of attention.

Any trees that pose a danger to personnel or property must be reported immediately to the Site Manager.

• Equipment
• Machinery

Operation: Safely use and clean hand tools, pedestrian mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and ride-on equipment.

• Basic

Maintenance: Perform routine checks on machinery (e. g., oil levels, blade sharping adjustments) and log faults promptly.

• Compliance - Health & Safety
• All employees have legal duties and are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do.

Immediately report to the Site Manager any risks that could affect the safety of yourself or others.

• Operative using grass cutting machinery must be competent and conversant with Health and Safety Legislation.
• At all times comply with Health and Safety practices.

Operatives will wear appropriate protective clothing and not endanger him/herself or the public.

• Carry out risk assessments to identify any significant risks arising from any activities and take necessary measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level. (Note: a fundamental requirements of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1992.)
• Carry out assessments of the risks arising from the use of any chemicals or other substances to be used on the grounds. (Note: these are required under The Control of substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH 1994.)
• Use personal protective equipment (all provided) as necessary for the safe performance of the duties (Note: required as a control measure under COSHH, or following an assessment under “The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992”.)
• Notify the Site Manager verbally and in writing of any risks to which pupils or other employees will be exposed during the performance of the duties.

Use ‘Risk Warning Notification Form.

• Other
• Undertake setting up of areas required to meet the needs of the school and for lettings as instructed by Site Manager.
• Any other tasks that may from time-to-time be reasonably required by the Headmaster, Bursar or Site Manager.

Hours & Remuneration of Work The hours of work are 37 hours per week, all year round.

The work pattern is Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 3.30pm with a 30 minute break and Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm with a 30 minute break.

The rate of pay is £26,427 per annum.

In line with current regulation you will, if you are eligible, be offered a workplace pension through NEST.

Equal Opportunity Old Swinford Services Ltd welcomes applications for employment from all sectors of the community.

Suitability to work with Children Old Swinford Services Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised date if a large number of applications have been received.

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