Deputy Groundskeeper

The Independent Schools Council; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Special groundskeeping expertise in a独

Supportive working environment

Job summary

Portsmouth Grammar School is seeking a dedicated Deputy Groundskeeper to join the Grounds Team at Hilsea Playing Fields. You will help maintain sports pitches and grounds to a high standard and support upcoming maintenance projects.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week), Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm, with occasional weekend or evening work for events. Opportunities for training and professional development are offered within a supportive school environment.

Qualifications

• Team player with strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Willingness to undertake training and professional development.
• Self-motivated, reliable, and flexible in responding to operational needs.
• Professional and approachable manner when interacting with staff, pupils, parents, and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Maintain sports pitches and grounds to a high standard.
• Assist with planned maintenance projects and site improvements.
• Support future site improvements and occasional work at the main site.
• Be part of a small professional team reporting to Head Groundskeeper and Site Manager.

Skills

Team player

Time management

Willing to train

Professional demeanor

Job description

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Deputy Groundskeeper to join our Grounds Team based at Hilsea Playing Fields. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the maintenance and development of high-quality sports facilities that support the school's extensive sporting and lettings programmes.

Working as part of a small, professional team and reporting to the Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining sports pitches and grounds to a high standard, assisting with planned maintenance projects, and supporting future site improvements. The role also includes occasional support at the school's main site.

We welcome applications from both:

• Individuals looking to progress a career in grounds maintenance and sports turf management; and
• Experienced grounds professionals with relevant qualifications and specialist skills.

Key Requirements

• Team player with strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work effectively under direction.
• Self-motivated, reliable, and flexible in responding to operational needs.
• Willingness to undertake training and professional development.
• Professional and approachable manner when interacting with staff, pupils, parents, and visitors.

Working Hours

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week), working Monday to Friday, with normal working hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm. Flexibility is required to support sporting events, lettings, site security, and occasional additional weekend or evening working to meet operational requirements. The standard working day is 7.5 hours to include a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak.

Outside of term time, there will be the opportunity to agree variations to the working pattern to meet operational requirements and support work-life balance. Time off in lieu will be provided where appropriate.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience, qualifications, and skills.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to develop specialist groundskeeping expertise within a leading independent school.
• Supportive working environment within a respected and successful educational institution.

The closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Wednesday 30th September 2026 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site in the week commencing 5th October 2026 or soon after. Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to interview and appoint in advance of the closing date.