Grounds Person

The Independent Schools Council; Horwich; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Bolton School is seeking a practical Grounds Person to join the Operational Services team. You will maintain the school’s grounds, pitches and outdoor areas to a high standard, working with the Grounds Supervisor to ensure safety and presentation for pupils and staff.

The role involves day-to-day maintenance of hard/soft surfaces, landscaping tasks, and the safe use of grounds machinery. A proactive, diligent approach and willingness to train are essential.

Responsibilities

• Maintain hard and soft surfaces, lawns, verges and sports pitches.
• Operate and maintain grounds machinery with safety training.
• Assist with erection, dismantling, storage and maintenance of sports pitch equipment.
• Clear leaves, litter and waste; keep drains clear to prevent flooding.
• Undertake routine safety checks and report issues to Grounds Supervisor.
• Support soft landscaping and maintenance of mixed sports surfaces.

Job description

We are looking for a practical and reliable Grounds Person to join the Operational Services team and help maintain the School’s extensive grounds, sports pitches and outdoor areas to a high standard.

This is a varied, hands‑on role, working alongside the Grounds Supervisor to ensure that our grounds, pathways, sports surfaces and landscaped areas are safe, clean and well presented for pupils, staff and visitors.

The role

As a Grounds Person, you will be involved in the day‑to‑day maintenance and preparation of the School’s hard and soft surfaces, lawns, verges and sports pitches. You will also assist with the erection, dismantling, storage and maintenance of sports pitch equipment.

Your duties will include maintaining landscaped areas, hedgerows, fences, pathways, walls, paving and signage, as well as clearing leaves, litter and waste. You will help keep drains and other areas clear to prevent flooding and ensure that roads and paths are cleared of snow, ice and leaves and salted when necessary.

You will undertake routine safety checks of the grounds, recording any issues and reporting these to the Grounds Supervisor or relevant Operational Manager. You will also support soft landscaping and the maintenance of mixed sports surfaces as required.

The role involves the safe and effective use, cleaning and routine maintenance of grounds machinery and equipment, with appropriate training and in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, risk assessments and the School’s Health and Safety procedures.

About you

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys working outdoors in a busy school environment. You will need to be practical, dependable and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Previous experience of grounds maintenance, landscaping, sports pitch maintenance or a similar outdoor environment would be advantageous. A willingness to undertake training and develop your knowledge of grounds machinery and equipment is also important.

You will have a good understanding of the importance of working safely and maintaining a safe environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

Why join us?

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a friendly and experienced Grounds team, working across a varied and attractive School site. The role offers a mixture of routine grounds maintenance and seasonal work, with the opportunity to develop a broad range of practical skills.

If you are hardworking, enjoy working outdoors and take pride in maintaining high standards, we would be delighted to hear from you.

With some 2,500 pupils, Bolton School is a large, thriving, academically selective day school. It is situated a mile or so from the town centre in a stunning 32 acre campus and is within easy reach of some of the nation’s finest cities and countryside.

A large Foundation Services Department supports the School operations and within this there is a trading arm, Bolton School Services Limited (BSSL). This includes BSS Weddings and Events, BSS Leisure Services, Kidzone and Patterdale Hall, a superb Outdoor Pursuits Centre situated at the Southern end of Lake Ullswater. Those who work within the organisation are able to combine the experience and pleasure of educating and being around young people with some of the challenges of a business environment.

For further details and to apply online for the position, please visit the School website.

Closing date for applications: Monday 19 October 2026 at 12.00 noon

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 28 October 2026

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace to reflect the diversity of our pupils and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and to join Bolton School. As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

Bolton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Criminal Records Check for Regulated Activity.