Apprentice Grounds Staff

HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference); Market Harborough; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in Market Harborough is looking for an Apprentice Grounds Staff member to maintain the school's expansive grounds and gardens. This full-time, fixed-term position includes a commitment to work flexible hours and participate in training at Berkshire College of Agriculture. Ideal candidates should be enthusiastic about maintaining a safe and engaging environment for education and must pass a DBS check. Competitive salary based on age is offered, alongside a supportive community and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous employee benefits package

Continuous professional development

Commitment to staff wellbeing

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a team and contribute to a positive environment.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check for child safety.
• Flexibility to adjust work hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the upkeep and maintenance of the school's grounds and gardens.
• Work from 7:30am to 3:45pm, with flexible weekend hours.
• Attend Berkshire College of Agriculture for training.

Skills

Commitment to safeguarding

Ability to work flexible hours

Team collaboration

Job description

Teaching careers in HMC independent schools

We are currently seeking to fill the position of Apprentice Grounds Staff.

Wycombe Abbey seeks to appoint an Apprentice Grounds Staff to undertake the upkeep and maintenance of the School’s grounds and gardens.

Contract: This is a full-time, fixed-term contract, for one to four years.

Hours of Work: 7:30am – 3:45pm, Monday to Friday, plus every fourth Saturday from 7:30am – 12:30pm, 52 weeks per year. Each shift includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break per day.

Flexible hours will be required from time‑to‑time to meet demand eg Dove Day, start and end of term, severe weather etc. This will include weekend work as well as the above.

These weekly hours include one‑day release per week to attend Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) during college term time.

Salary: National minimum wage, dependent on age: £14,722.50 per annum (£7.55 per hour - 16‑17 years), £19,500 per annum (£10.00 per hour - 18‑20 years), £23,809.50 (£12.21 per hour - National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over).

Closing date for applications: 4 January 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 12 January 2026

How to Apply: Please see the job profile document for full information about this role. To apply, please complete an application form and submit this, together with a covering letter, to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan by selecting “Apply Now”. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 [e-mail] .

We reserve the right to appoint to this position before the closing date, should we receive a high volume of suitable early applications.

Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare: All unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

Further information regarding filtered convictions, please refer to Filtering Guidance by the Ministry of Justice and Nacro Guidance. We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.

About the School
Wycombe Abbey is an exceptional place for our pupils to learn and our staff to work. Working here you will be part of a world class school and community of 420 staff and 650 pupils. We are committed to encouraging curiosity, bold ideas, innovation, leadership and delight in learning – not just in the pupils, but in our staff body too, both teaching and support staff. We are looking for people who can bring new ideas, a passion for their area of expertise, skills and enthusiasm that will enrich our community as well as encourage our pupils to do their best.

Life at Wycombe Abbey goes beyond the job title. We encourage staff to be fully involved in School life and offer a rewarding working environment, generous employee benefits package, continuous professional development and an emphasis on staff wellbeing throughout your time with us. Whether you are a member of the teaching staff, House staff or support staff, you will be part of the whole team at Wycombe Abbey. Everyone at School plays their part in inspiring our pupils to strive for ambitious goals and to recognise that they can make a positive difference in the world, now and in the future.

Please watch the film below to find out more about working at Wycombe Abbey.

12 The Point, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7QU