Grounds Manager

The Independent Schools Council; Chigwell; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site accommodation

Benefits package

Job summary

Bancroft’s School is seeking an experienced Grounds Manager to lead and manage the School’s extensive external grounds, including sports pitches, lawns, gardens and facilities. The role reports to the Operations Director and drives high standards across both the main site and West Grove playing fields.

The successful candidate will oversee the Grounds Team, budget, and contractors, with a 37.5 hour week, 52 weeks per year, and a 27-day annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and sports turf management.
• Strong organisational and team leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Grounds Team and workload for Bancroft’s School.
• Oversee budge control and supervise contractors to maintain high external facilities.
• Ensure presentation and maintenance of main site and West Grove playing fields.

Job description

Bancroft’s, one of the country’s leading co-educational day schools, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Grounds Manager to lead and manage the School’s extensive external grounds, including sports pitches, lawns, gardens and associated outdoor facilities.

Bancroft’s have recently completed a merger with two local schools, Woodford Green Prepatory School and St Aubyns’ School, and the Grounds Manager will play an important role in ensuring that the Bancroft’s Family of Schools continues to provide outstanding outdoor facilities for pupils, staff and the wider School community.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the day-to-day management and presentation of the School’s grounds, ensuring that consistently high standards are achieved across both the main school site and our West Grove playing fields. A proactive approach to grounds maintenance, sports turf management and facility improvement will be essential. The Grounds Manager will report directly to the Operations Director.

A key responsibility of the role will be to lead, organise and prioritise the Grounds Team and its workload, ensuring that resources are effectively deployed to meet the requirements of the Sports Department. This will be undertaken in close liaison with, and under the direction of, the Director of Sport. The ability to manage and control the grounds budget, and supervise contractors is essential.

Accommodation in the form of a 2-bedroom flat located at West Grove playing field is available for the successful candidate at a nominal charge, if accommodation is required. The School regrets it is unable to offer alternative accommodation.

Working Hours

The position is a permanent 52 weeks per year role. The working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm with 30 minutes unpaid break and 30 minutes unpaid lunch.

This position requires a level of flexibility and the successful applicant will be expected to work additional time after hours as required to meet the school or sport fixtures needs.

Annual leave for full‑time staff is 27 days per year, as well as 8 Bank Holiday days. The annual leave year runs from 1 September to 31 August. Holidays need to be agreed in advance with the Operations Director.

Remuneration

The salary range for the full‑time role is £40,000- £45,000 based upon experience. See below for details of the benefits packages.

We offer a generous benefits package (details are listed in the attached job pack), including a competitive salary, and have a commitment to supporting ongoing professional development for all of our staff.

Bancroft’s School creates a happy learning environment, where bright children are challenged and supported to become the best versions of themselves. Bancroft’s is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

The closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 5thOctober 2026 and interviews will take place week commencing Monday 12thOctober 2026. Applications will be considered as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview early applicants should a suitable candidate apply.

Bancroft’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants are required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Bancroft’s may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts as part of their applications.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Bancroft’s is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self‑declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.