Deputy Grounds Manager

Wycombe Abbey; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Fee school remission

Generous CPD training

Free use of the Sports Centre

Free eye tests

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Wycombe Abbey seeks an experienced and hands-on Deputy Grounds Manager to support the upkeep and development of the School’s extensive grounds and gardens. This pivotal role involves maintaining high standards across sports pitches and landscaped areas.

The ideal candidate will manage the Grounds Team, support health and safety compliance, and maintain equipment. Benefits include a generous pension scheme, fee remission, and CPD training.

Applications close on 21 June 2026; include a covering letter addressed to Mrs J Duncan.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and management.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Proactive approach in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the upkeep and development of the School's grounds.
• Supervise the Grounds Team in the absence of the Grounds Manager.
• Prepare and maintain sports pitches.

Skills

Technical knowledge of grounds maintenance

Leadership skills

Health and safety compliance

Ability to lead teams

Tools

Estates Helpdesk system

Grounds maintenance machinery

Job description

Wycombe Abbey seeks an experienced and hands‑on Deputy Grounds Manager to support the upkeep and development of the School’s extensive grounds and gardens. This pivotal role supports the Grounds Manager in leading the team, maintaining high standards across sports pitches and landscaped areas, and ensuring the smooth day‑to‑day operation of the grounds function.

Reports to: Grounds Manager.

Contract: This is a full‑time, permanent contract. The first three months will be a probationary period.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 7.30am – 3.45pm plus every fourth Saturday 7.30am – 12.30pm, averaging a 37.5‑hour week, 52 weeks per annum. A one‑hour unpaid lunch break is included. Flexible hours will be required from time to time to meet operational needs, including School events and seasonal demands.

As Deputy Grounds Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining and developing the School’s grounds to an exceptional standard. Responsibilities include preparing and maintaining sports pitches, supervising the Grounds Team in the absence of the Grounds Manager, supporting health and safety compliance, maintaining machinery and equipment, and coordinating tasks through the Estates Helpdesk system. This role is suited to a skilled and proactive individual with strong technical knowledge and the ability to lead by example in a busy and varied environment.

Wycombe Abbey is a world class full‑boarding school for girls, located on a beautiful site in the centre of High Wycombe. With its distinctive heritage, magnificent 170‑acre campus and impressive resources, the School provides an outstanding education for 650 pupils aged 11–18.

We have been at the forefront of girls’ boarding education for over 125 years. Superb academic outcomes are the School’s hallmark and pupils regularly secure places at the most prestigious universities across the globe. Known for its world‑class education, Wycombe Abbey encourages curiosity, innovation, leadership and delight in learning among its pupils.

The School benefits from easy access to London (24 minutes to Marylebone), the Chiltern Hills and attractive towns such as Marlow, Henley‑on‑Thames and Beaconsfield. Heathrow is also just 20 miles away plus good transport links to other London airports.

Benefits of working at Wycombe Abbey include:

• Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme
• Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools
• Generous CPD training and development scheme
• Free use of the Sports Centre
• Free eye tests
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply

Please see the job profile document for full information about this role. Applicants should complete the TES application form and submit this with a covering letter addressed to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 or [e-mail].

Closing date for applications: 21 June 2026

Interview date: 29 June 2026

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

We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.

Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.