Groundsperson

The Society of Heads; Cobham; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Society of Heads is seeking a Groundsperson to assist in maintaining the School Grounds across Reed’s, Ripley Court and Feltonfleet sites. The role requires flexibility to cover weekend duties on a rotation basis and will be based across all three sites as needed.

Within the Estates and Facilities team, you will support health and safety procedures and help ensure the appearance and security of school grounds and facilities are maintained at all times.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance and outdoor facilities management.
• Ability to work across multiple sites and cover weekend duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist Grounds team in maintenance of school sports pitches (grass and artificial).
• Maintain pond and Forest School areas where required to keep watercourses clear.
• Erect and maintain sports equipment, nets and goals; repair boundaries and fences.
• Carry out routine care and maintenance of Grounds machinery.
• Maintain hedges and assist in tree maintenance with external contractors.
• Coordinate with Gardening team to care for grassed areas, beds and shrubs.
• Order supplies and services for Grounds within budget constraints.

Job description

The purpose of the role is to assist in the maintenance of the School Grounds at the Reed’s, Ripley Court and Feltonfleet sites, inclusive of Sports pitches, to a high standard for the use of the Schools and external sports clubs.

The role-holder will be required to be flexible in order to cover weekend duties, on rotation, when necessary. The role-holder will be based across all three sites, depending on need.

The Groundsperson role sits within the wider Estates and Facilities team covering the three school sites. Together they provide support to ensure that all the Schools operate effectively for staff, pupils, parents and visitors. This includes ensuring that the health and safety procedures are adhered to, and the appearance and security of School buildings, grounds and facilities are maintained at all times.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Grounds team in the maintenance of school sports pitches (grass and artificial) according to playing seasons and in consultation with the Director of Sport (Reed’s School and Feltonfleet School) and Head of Games (Ripley Court School).
• Assist in the maintenance of the pond and Forest School at both Feltonfleet and Ripley Court Schools, where required, to ensure that the water course is kept clear.
• Assist in the erection and maintenance of all sports equipment, nets, goals etc.
• Repair and maintain all boundaries and fences in conjunction with Grounds team members or external contractors, as necessary.
• Carry out general care and maintenance of Grounds machinery as required.
• Maintain hedges at all three School sites up to, and including, the boundaries.
• Assist in tree maintenance, liaising with external contractors as required.
• Liaise with the Gardening team to maintain all grassed, woodland and school planted beds and shrub areas.
• Liaise with the Facilities Manager and Head Groundsperson at Reed’s School and Feltonfleet School, to purchase supplies and services for Grounds, helping to ensure resources are managed within budget constraints.
• Work to a routine and regular preventative maintenance schedule to ensure that the school grounds, equipment and facilities are correctly maintained.
• Assistant in early morning clearance of debris (leaves, frost etc.) across the School sites.
• Maintain knowledge of the requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1984. Wear and use personal protective equipment and safety devices that are provided by management for your protection.
• Carry out risk assessments and follow the Safe Systems of Work.

Other Job Requirements:

• Attend training courses for health and safety as required.
• Maintain knowledge of measuring/installing: Cricket, football, rugby, hockey, rounders, athletics track and tennis all on grass.
• Safely manage all fuel on site.
• Maintain the operational running of the swimming pools at Ripley Court School and Feltonfleet School where required.
• Drive the school minibus where required (with or without passengers).
• Observe security of site to ensure minimal risk to school and flag any concerns to the Head Groundsperson, Facilities Manager or Site Operations Manager.
• Assist the wider Estates and Facilities team in setting up and provide operational assistance at school events as required.
• Review of work-based Risk Assessments on an annual basis.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as instructed by the Head Groundsperson, Operations Director or Feltonfleet Bursar.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.