Head Groundsman

Worksop College and Ranby House; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Greater London is looking for a Head Groundsman to manage and maintain all grounds and sports pitches. The role involves ensuring high-quality playing surfaces, leading a grounds team, and compliance with health and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in grounds management, team leadership, and budget management. A competitive salary and great benefits, including onsite parking and pension scheme, are offered.

Benefits

Fee concessions for children

Workplace pension scheme

Access to gym, sports hall, and swimming pool

Free meals when on duty

Free onsite parking

Qualifications

• Experience in managing grounds and sports surfaces.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations.
• Ability to lead a team effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage, develop, and maintain all school grounds.
• Ensure high-quality playing surfaces.
• Lead and coordinate the grounds team.

Skills

Grounds management

Health and safety compliance

Team leadership

Budget management

Job description

Overview

Job title: Head Groundsman

Location: Worksop College and Ranby House, Nottinghamshire

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £30,000

Closing Date: 26 December 2025

Worksop College and Ranby House; one community set across two schools - educating children from age two to eighteen. We're proud of being a broad-ability school with a focus firmly on progress, recognising that every child has their own set of skills and abilities, whether it be academic, sporting, musical or otherwise. We believe that education is about more than the flight towards academic success, but about human flourishing. We want our students to be the very best version of themselves. If they are destined to attend an established University, here is where they will flourish, or if they are an outstanding sportsperson, here is where they will hone their skills. Perhaps they are a talented artist or musician, here is where they'd perfect their craft, but if these talents are yet to be revealed, here is where they\'ll be discovered. We are a remarkable school, in a stunning setting, with exceptional facilities and a talented teaching staff. At our school, what matters is the individual, their aspirations and their future.

About the Role

The Head of Grounds will autonomously manage, develop, and maintain all school grounds, sports pitches and external areas across Worksop College and Ranby House. The post holder will ensure high-quality playing surfaces, safe grounds, and an attractive school environment through effective planning, maintenance, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Grounds & Sports Surface Management
• Liaise with Estates Manager, Head of Sport, and Prep School leadership to plan grounds preparation for sports fixtures and events
• Mark and over-mark pitches for cricket, rugby, football and other sporting activities
• Maintain optimal playing quality and grass care standards across all sports surfaces
• Manage and maintain artificial playing surfaces
• Ensure formal school gardens are planted and maintained to a high standard
• Maintain roads, paths and external areas, ensuring safety during snow, ice, leaf fall and other hazards
• Team Leadership & Management
• Lead and coordinate the workload of the grounds team
• Ensure all staff are fully trained and aware of safe working practices
• Conduct annual performance reviews, maintain attendance records and oversee daily operations
• Promote high standards of professionalism, uniform, and conduct among the team
• Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure all staff comply with Health & Safety regulations and complete risk assessments
• Oversee safe use, handling, storage and disposal of chemicals and pesticides
• Ensure safe working practices and appropriate use of PPE
• Investigate and report accidents and near misses
• Supervise contractors to ensure compliance with Health & Safety standards
• Financial & Resource Management
• Manage annual grounds budgets effectively, ensuring value for money
• Maintain accurate stock control of materials, equipment and machinery
• Participate in capital replacement planning and project development
• General Duties
• Undertake a full range of groundskeeping tasks as required
• Assist with emergency responses, such as flooding or adverse weather
• Support the setup of school events and activities
• Escort contractors and visitors as needed
• Maintain a proactive approach to site security and appearance
• Other Requirements
• Other reasonable tasks may be assigned by the Headmaster, in alignment with the role
• The role may evolve to meet changing school needs
• Safeguarding, Health & Safety, and Compliance
• All staff must comply with Health & Safety procedures and complete required training
• All accidents and near misses must be recorded
• All applicants are subject to full safeguarding checks, including enhanced DBS
• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974)
• Worksop College is an equal opportunities employer

Benefits

• Working at Worksop and Ranby House is as much about a lifestyle choice as it is about pursuing a satisfying career path. We have high expectations of our staff and reward with an attractive benefits package, which includes :
• Fee concessions for your children
• Workplace pension scheme
• Access to gym, sports hall and swimming pool
• Free meals provided when on duty
• Free onsite parking