Grounds Supervisor

The Stephen Perse Foundation; Hartford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking a Grounds Supervisor to ensure the professional maintenance and safety of the school's outdoor estate. Responsibilities include managing grassed areas, ecological zones, and machinery while maintaining autonomy. The ideal candidate will have experience in grounds maintenance and a strong understanding of ecological practices. This full-time role requires 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with the expectation for some evening, weekend, and emergency call-out duties.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and safe operation of machinery.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture and ecological practices.
• Capability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all grassed areas, hedges, and borders.
• Develop management plans for ecological zones.
• Ensure safety checks and record keeping on machinery.

Skills

Autonomy in work

Safety compliance

Budget management

Ecological management

Tools

Grounds machinery

Job description

Overview

Responsible to: Head of Estates Location: All sites Role Description
To be responsible for the professional maintenance, development, and safety of the school's outdoor estate. This includes the routine care of Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and general‑use grassed surfaces, alongside the specialist management of ecological zones and Forest School areas. As a sole practitioner, the Grounds Supervisor is expected to work with a high degree of autonomy to ensure the grounds are a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environment for pupils, staff, and visitors.

Sports Turf and Grounds Maintenance

• Estate Maintenance: Maintain all grassed areas, hedges, and borders to ensure the school's outdoor environment is kept to a clean, safe, and professional standard.
• Surface Care: Execute year‑round maintenance of general‑use grassed surfaces and Multi‑Use Games Areas (MUGAs), ensuring they are free of debris and fit for daily student use.
• Functional Sports Preparation: Carry out seasonal line marking for junior running tracks and 5‑a‑side football pitches as required for the school's physical education programme.
• Treatment and Health: Monitor and treat grassed areas for pests, weeds and wear‑and‑tear, ensuring all chemical applications are handled in strict accordance with COSHH and health and safety regulations.

Ecological and Biodiversity Management

• Management Planning: Develop and implement formal management plans for ecological zones, wildflower meadows, and Forest School sites, balancing the school's biodiversity goals with overall site aesthetics.
• Habitat Cultivation: Coordinate sensitive seasonal "meadow cuts" and manage invasive species to promote local flora and fauna across the estate.
• Forest School Maintenance: Ensure Forest School areas are safely maintained and developed to provide a high‑quality outdoor learning environment for pupils.
• Sustainable Advice: Act as a specialist advisor to senior management regarding ecological initiatives and the sustainable development of the school's natural assets.

Machinery, Equipment, and Compliance

• Asset Management: Take full responsibility for the safe operation, security, and routine maintenance of all grounds machinery, including tractors, ride‑on mowers, and power tools.
• Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous records for machinery servicing, fuel usage, and asset inspections.
• Site Inspections: Conduct and record routine safety checks, including fire sounders, playground equipment, ground safety, and ladder inspections.
• Winter Service: Ensure the school remains operational during inclement weather by managing the gritting of paths and snow clearance.
• Contractor Liaison: Supervise external contractors to ensure they adhere to school safeguarding and health and safety protocols.

Leadership and Development

• Independent Planning: Work as a sole practitioner with a high degree of autonomy, planning daily and seasonal workloads without direct supervision.
• Budgetary Oversight: Manage the grounds budget effectively by obtaining quotes for approval and ordering supplies in accordance with financial procedures.
• Mentoring: Act as a mentor and supervisor for any future Grounds Apprentice, supporting their practical training and vocational qualification requirements.
• Operational Support: Provide flexible support to the wider Estates Team for site security, event logistics, and transport requirements to ensure smooth daily operations.

General Responsibilities

• Act as an excellent ambassador for Stephen Perse at all times.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with all Stephen Perse colleagues.
• Assist as necessary in other Stephen Perse areas at peak times.
• Work at all times towards the aims and goals of Stephen Perse and any individual objectives and targets you may have agreed.
• Proactively identify areas for improvements within Stephen Perse.
• Actively promote Stephen Perse Equal Opportunities Policy, encouraging staff awareness and participation in all areas.
• Act in accordance with the Data Protection principles at all times.
• Adhere at all times to Stephen Perse operational and employment policies and procedures.
• Take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do).
• Cooperate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare.
• Follow the training you have received when using any work items Stephen Perse has provided.
• Adhere to Stephen Perse's Privacy Notice and ensure private and confidential data is kept secure and disposed of in the appropriate manner.

This job description is not necessarily comprehensive and the position holder will be required to carry out such other duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Safeguarding and Welfare of Children

The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with Stephen Perse's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the role‑holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, s/he must report any concerns to the School's Designated Person or the Stephen Perse Designated Safeguarding Lead. All employees of Stephen Perse adhere to the Safer Working Practices guidance and all teaching staff are required to adhere to the Teaching Standards which can be found on the government website.

Terms and Conditions

All appointments for Stephen Perse are subject to satisfactory reference and disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks, suitability to work with children checks, online checks, proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a medical questionnaire and proof of qualifications.

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week, working Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.00am‑5.00pm. This position is full‑time 52 weeks a year with some evenings, weekends and emergency call‑outs.