Deputy Groundskeeper

Portsmouth Grammar School; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth Grammar School is seeking a Deputy Groundskeeper to join our Estates Team at Hilsea Playing Fields, with duties across Hilsea and our main site in Old Portsmouth.

The role involves maintaining sports pitches and facilities to a high standard, assisting with planned maintenance projects, and supporting safeguarding and event-related work. Flexibility for evenings or weekends is required to support events.

Qualifications

• A good standard of education with excellent spoken and written English.
• Emergency First Aid at Work qualification is desirable/required.
• Grounds maintenance experience.
• Ability to communicate verbally across all levels.
• IT skills including use of school email system.
• Willingness to undertake safeguarding training.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise and complete grounds maintenance activities.
• Maintain pitches, surfaces, landscaped areas, gardens and access roads.
• Support planned maintenance projects and future site improvements.
• Assist with site security, lettings and safeguarding requirements.
• Work across Hilsea Playing Fields and the main site in Old Portsmouth.

Skills

Grounds maintenance experience

Teamwork

Communication across levels

Attention to detail

IT skills (school email)

Safety awareness

Education

Good standard of education

Emergency First Aid at Work qualification

Job description

Deputy Groundskeeper

Location: Hilsea Playing Fields (Portsmouth)

Salary: £27,146 to £35,018 dependent upon the qualifications, skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Job type: Permanent, Full Time (37.5 hrs/week worked across 5 days, Monday to Friday)

Closing Date: 30th of September 2026

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the heart of historic Portsmouth. Our Playing Fields are located at Hilsea.

The Role

Working as part of a small professional team and reporting to our Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining our sports pitches and grounds to a high standard, assisting with planned maintenance projects, and supporting future site improvements. The role is based at our Hilsea Playing Fields and includes regular support at our main site in Old Portsmouth. We welcome applications from both individuals looking to further develop a career in grounds maintenance and sports turf management and experienced grounds professionals with relevant qualifications and specialist skills. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week), working Monday to Friday, with normal working hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm where the standard working day is 7.5 hours with a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak. Flexibility is required to support sporting events, evening lettings, site security and occasional weekend or evening working. Time off in lieu will be provided where appropriate.

Main Responsibilities

Grounds Maintenance and Sports Facilities

• To liaise daily with the Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager to plan, prioritise and complete grounds maintenance activities


• Maintain, manage and continually improve all sports pitches, artificial surfaces, landscaped areas, gardens, pathways and access roads


• Ensure all grounds and sports facilities are maintained to the highest possible standards, supporting the school’s sporting, educational and lettings programmes


• Regularly inspect grounds, facilities and infrastructure, reporting defects and taking appropriate corrective action where possible


• Maintain site cleanliness and presentation, including litter collection, waste management and general housekeeping

Equipment and Asset Management

• Maintain all ground machinery, vehicles, hand tools and power tools in a clean, safe and operational condition


• Ensure all equipment is serviced and maintained


• Keep buildings, sheds, workshops and storage areas clean, organised and secure


• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, inspections and repairs

Site Security and Visitor Management

• Assist in maintaining the security of the Hilsea site, including conducting site checks following events and securing facilities


• Report unresolved issues or concerns to the Head Groundskeeper or Estates Team


• Host contrators, lettings clients and visitors, ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures, visitor management requirements and sige regulations

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Promote safe working practices and ensure the correct use of PPE


• Carry out statutory checks as directed by the Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager

Communication and Teamwork

• Attend team meetings, staff briefings, training sessions and other meetings as required


• In the absence of the Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager, liaise with stakeholders regarding operational matters

Operational Support

• Provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence and wider Estates Team activities when required


• Work flexibly across School site and participate in overtime, emergency callouts and out-of-hours support when necessary
  

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• A good standard of education with excellent spoken and written English


• To hold, or be willing to complete, relevant Emergency First Aid at Work qualification


• Experience of working in a team


• Experience of, and ability to, communicate verbally across all levels


• Grounds maintenance experience


• Ability to work in a team


• Organised and with excellent attention to detail


• Ability to maintain a level of physical fitness required to carry out the duties of the role


• Good communication skills


• IT skills including an ability to use school email system


• Ability to follow instructions safely and effectively to ensure a safe working environment


• A working knowledge of operational risk management practices and relevant legislation


• Willingness to undertake all necessary safeguarding and other staff training

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification in grounds maintenance or equivalent experience and evidence of continuing professional development


• Experience of working in a similar role within an educational environment


• Knowledge of horticultural pests, diseases and treatments, planting and/or Health and Safety legislation