Grounds Maintenance Assistant at Valence School

Valence School; Westerham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life cover

Staff wellbeing initiatives

Employee discounts

Subsidised meals

Free on-site parking

Supportive team

Job summary

Valence School is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Assistant to join the Facilities Team and help maintain the extensive school grounds and outdoor facilities.

You will carry out routine grounds tasks, maintain woodland and lakeside areas, and help prepare spaces for events. The role requires a practical, reliable, and physically fit person with good communication and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Practical, hands-on approach to maintenance and grounds tasks.
• Reliable and able to manage a varied workload.
• Physically fit to perform outdoor manual tasks in all weather conditions.
• Good communication and teamwork to support colleagues and the school community.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine grounds maintenance including mowing, strimming, pruning, weeding, planting, watering, and seasonal horticultural tasks.
• Maintain woodland, hedgerow, and lakeside areas, ensuring they remain safe and well-presented.
• Operate, maintain, and carry out basic servicing of grounds maintenance equipment and machinery.
• Assist with repairs to fencing, gates, pathways, and outdoor furniture.
• Support the preparation of outdoor spaces for school events and activities.
• Assist with site safety, including snow clearance, gritting, and general upkeep of the grounds.
• Work in accordance with Health & Safety procedures and safeguarding requirements.

Skills

Practical hands-on

Reliable

Physically fit

Good communication

Team player

Independent worker

Job description

About this Role

Are you someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride inmaintaining high standards, and likes seeing the results of your work everyday? We are seeking a reliable and enthusiastic Grounds MaintenanceAssistant to join our Facilities Team and help maintain our extensiveschool grounds and outdoor facilities.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will play animportant part in ensuring our grounds remain safe, attractive, and welcoming for students, staff, visitors, and the wider school community.

What you will do:

• Carry out routine grounds maintenance including mowing, strimming, pruning, weeding, planting, watering, and seasonal horticultural tasks.
• Maintain woodland, hedgerow, and lakeside areas, ensuring they remain safe and well-presented.
• Operate, maintain, and carry out basic servicing of grounds maintenance equipment and machinery.
• Assist with repairs to fencing, gates, pathways, and outdoor furniture.
• Support the preparation of outdoor spaces for school events and activities.
• Assist with site safety, including snow clearance, gritting, and general upkeep of the grounds.
• Work in accordance with Health & Safety procedures and safeguarding requirements.

Who We're Looking For:

• Practical, hands-on, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and able to manage a varied workload.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of presentation and safety.
• Physically fit and capable of carrying out outdoor manual tasks in all weather conditions.
• Flexible and willing to assist with occasional evening and weekend work when required.
• Strong communication skills and a positive approach to supporting colleagues and the wider school community.

What We Offer:

• A varied outdoor role where no two days are the same.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Generous pension scheme and life cover.
• Staff wellbeing initiatives and support services.
• Access to employee discounts and subsidised meals.
• Free on-site parking.
• The opportunity to work within a supportive and welcoming school community.

Why work with us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dedicated teamand make a visible contribution to a unique school environment. If you enjoyworking outdoors, take pride in your work, and want to be part of acommunity-focused organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Valence School is committed to safeguarding and promotingthe welfare of every student, and we expect all staff and volunteers to sharethis commitment. Referenceswill be sought prior to interview for shortlisted candidates, and online checkswill be undertaken. The successful applicant will be required to undertake anenhanced DBS check (this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of OffendersAct).

We value diversity and promote equality for all.