Head of Grounds

Knight Education Ltd; Slough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Knight Education Ltd is recruiting a Head of Grounds for a leading independent prep school in Buckinghamshire, north of Slough. This full-time, permanent role starts November 2026, with hours 08:00–16:30, Monday to Friday; Saturdays on a term-time rota.

You’ll lead the grounds team and manage daily upkeep of extensive outdoor facilities. The ideal candidate has proven grounds management experience, especially in school or sports settings, and can maintain cricket, rugby, football and athletics

Qualifications

• Proven experience in grounds management, preferably in a school or sports environment.
• Experience preparing and maintaining sports pitches (cricket, rugby, football, athletics).
• Good knowledge of gardens, trees, hedges, and landscaped areas.
• Willingness to undergo DBS check and safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the grounds team and oversee day-to-day maintenance of outdoor facilities.
• Plan and execute maintenance for sports pitches, gardens, trees, and landscaping.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and high standards of presentation across all grounds.
• Collaborate with school management on events and pitch preparation.

Skills

Grounds management

Sports pitches maintenance

Team leadership

Horticulture knowledge

Education

Groundskeeping or horticulture qualification

Job description

A leading independent prep school in Buckinghamshire (north of Slough) is seeking a Head of Grounds. This is a full time and permanent role from November 2026. Hours are 08:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday and Saturdays are on a rota during term time.

This is a well-established independent school, committed to providing an outstanding education and nurturing environment for their students. Sport is a major part of life at the school, with an extensive programme of cricket, rugby, football, athletics and other activities taking place throughout the year. The grounds include a wide range of sports pitches, playing fields, gardens, landscaped areas, flower beds, trees, hedging, boundaries and other outdoor facilities, all of which require careful preparation and ongoing maintenance to a high standard.

The Head is looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and motivated Head of Grounds to lead their grounds team and take responsibility for the day-to-day management, preparation and maintenance of the school’s grounds and outdoor facilities.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in grounds management, ideally within a school, sports, or similar environment, with experience of preparing and maintaining sports pitches for cricket, rugby, football and athletics. You will also have a good practical understanding of the care and maintenance of gardens, flower beds, trees, hedges, fencing, boundaries and other landscaped areas.

Knight Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants for the post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and an enhanced DBS check.