Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and enhance the beautiful 127-acre GSAL site, from sports pitches to gardens.
- Company: The Grammar School at Leeds is a leading school with a rich history and supportive environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, subsidised childcare, free GP appointments, and access to gym facilities.
- Why this job: Make a visible difference outdoors while working in a friendly team and enjoying nature.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds maintenance preferred; horticultural qualification and tractor driving skills are a plus.
- Other info: Join a community-focused school with opportunities for personal development and co-curricular activities.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 27900 £ per year.
Salary £26,730 to £27,915 FTE per annum dependent on experience
Location Alwoodley Gates, Leeds
Interview Date Monday 21 July 2025
This is a Permanent , Full time – full year vacancy.
The Vacancy
Grounds and Gardens Operative
Contract: Permanent, all year round
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week Mon-Fri, plus rota for Saturdays 1 in every 4 weeks as overtime
Do you take pride in keeping grounds green, vibrant, and thriving? Do you enjoy the outdoors and want your work to make a visible difference every day?
At The Grammar School at Leeds, we are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Grounds and Gardening Operative to join our friendly Estates team.
In this hands-on role, you\’ll help us maintain and enhance the beautiful 127-acre GSAL site, from our immaculate sports pitches to peaceful garden spaces and woodland areas. Whether you\’re line-marking rugby fields, mowing lawns, planting seasonal displays, or supporting the upkeep of artificial surfaces like our 3G pitch, your work will help create a safe, inviting and inspiring outdoor environment for our pupils, colleagues and visitors.
You\’ll also play a key part in gardening and horticulture across the site, from raised beds and planters to composting and caring for flower borders. No two days are the same, and you\’ll be part of a supportive team that takes pride in every stripe, bloom, and boundary line.
To thrive in this role, you’ll ideally have experience in grounds or garden maintenance, with practical knowledge of sports turf care and horticulture. A horticultural qualification and a tractor driving qualification (or a willingness to work towards one) would be an advantage. We’re looking for someone with a proactive and flexible attitude, who is happy to roll their sleeves up in all weatherand work collaboratively to keep our grounds looking their best.
The grounds department is a small and friendly team. Theywork together on the larger projects but normally work alone, but can call on colleagues for assistance as required. The estate sits in a rural area of North Leeds in quiet surroundings away from busy roads and the general hustle and bustle of schools based near the city centre.
Why GSAL?
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is one of the leading schools in the north and traces its history back to 1552.
GSAL was awarded North Independent School of the Year 2024 and Independent Secondary School of the Decade in 2021 and continues to be a friendly, fun and supportive environment with high investment in pupil and colleague wellbeing, while insisting upon and maintaining high expectations.
We value our GSAL community and offer a wide range of benefits including:
25 days annual leave per year plus eight statutory bank holidays (pro rata for part-time roles)
School closure days in the Christmas holidays in addition to annual leave entitlement (usually an extra 3 days annual leave)
Option to purchase up to 10 additional days of annual leave
Subsidised childcare provided for colleagues\’ children during school INSET days (from the age of 3 up to age 11)
Personal pension plan with Aviva up to 5% employee contribution and 10% employer (with the facility to pay higher or lower employee contributions)
Training and CPD available including five inset days per academic year
Colleague lunches: three courses for £2.40 available during school lunchtimes plus free tea, coffee and hot chocolate
Access to free private GP appointments via Health Hero
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme well-being app, Vivup, offering telephone counselling, financial and legal advice plus 6-8 face-to-face counselling sessions
Beautiful lunch time walking routes around our 140 acre site
Onsite gym and swimming pool available for staff use within set times as well as staff classes such as Pilates, meditation, kettlebells, spinning and bootcamps
Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle to work
Free car parking available on site
Use of the school’s extensive library facility
Generous leave of absence scheme to support our employees when they need it
Colleague discounts through multiple providers, including Vivup, blue light card, discounts for teachers and Extras
Opportunity to be involved in co-curricular activities such as the staff pantomime, well-being committee or volunteer for community events
At GSAL, we are committed to promoting equity and diversity, safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, and providing a safe, supportive environment for learning and development. If you share these values, we would love for you to apply.
How to apply
Please complete the online GSAL application form found on our website. For any enquiries about the role please contact vacancies@gsal.org.uk
Further details about the role and its responsibilities can be found in the candidate information pack, available in the ‘documents’ section of our advert on the school website. Please be prepared to provide copies of any qualifications mentioned in your application. Please note we cannot offer tours or visits due to the high volume of interest. A tour is provided as part of the interviewing process.
The closing date for applications is: 09:00 Friday 14 July 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Grounds and gardens operative employer: The Grammar School at Leeds
Contact Detail:
The Grammar School at Leeds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds and gardens operative
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific grounds and gardening tasks mentioned in the job description. Understanding the nuances of sports turf care and horticulture will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for outdoor work and teamwork. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've contributed to a team environment in previous roles, as this position requires collaboration with colleagues.
✨Tip Number 3
Research The Grammar School at Leeds and its values. Being able to articulate why you want to work there and how you align with their commitment to equity and diversity can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions to ask during the interview about the team dynamics and ongoing projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds and gardens operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Grounds and Gardens Operative position. Highlight your relevant experience in grounds maintenance and horticulture.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job. Emphasise any practical knowledge of sports turf care, gardening, and teamwork, as well as your proactive attitude.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for outdoor work and your commitment to maintaining vibrant grounds. Mention specific examples of your previous work that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather any necessary supporting documents, such as qualifications in horticulture or evidence of relevant experience. Be ready to provide copies of these documents if requested during the application process.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Grammar School at Leeds
✨Show Your Passion for the Outdoors
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working outdoors and maintaining beautiful grounds. Share any personal experiences or projects that demonstrate your love for gardening and landscaping.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any previous roles in grounds or garden maintenance, especially if you have experience with sports turf care or horticulture. Be specific about your responsibilities and achievements in those positions.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working both independently and as part of a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past jobs. Highlight your ability to communicate and seek help when needed.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions related to gardening techniques, equipment use, and maintenance practices. Brush up on your knowledge of horticultural principles and be ready to discuss how you would approach various tasks on the job.
