Assistant Grounds Person

Required as soon as possible

Farnborough Hill is looking to recruit an AssistantGrounds Person to join the team taking care of our well-established grounds. The School is set in 65 acres of parkland and gardens, all beautifully maintained by our team of grounds staff. This gives our pupils a real sense of open space and they are encouraged to take full advantage of this with outdoor lessons and activities, recreation during break times and sport. The role is key in supporting the Head of Grounds to deliver maintenance and development of the School Estate and mature gardens as well as maintenance of gardens, roses, planted areas and sports grounds.

We are looking for a team member who is enthusiastic about creating and maintaining safe, green spaces of which the School can be proud and who is someone who takes pride in their work, shows initiative and loves the outside. The applicant should have experience in the field and be motivated to learn and progress.

JOB SPECIFICATION:

Support the Head of Grounds to deliver maintenance and development of the School Estate. Ensure that the School’s grounds processes are delivered safely, efficiently, and effectively to a high standard. Creating and maintaining safe, green spaces of which the School can be proud.

To be in sympathy with and supportive of the Christian ethos of the School as set out in our Mission Statement. To be committed to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities:

• Cutting grass to specified standards in ornamental areas in accordance with the seasonal ground’s maintenance programme, maintain ornamental horticultural areas.
• Operating machinery, pedestrian lawn mowers, ride on utility vehicles, strimmer's, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, power tools, associated plant, leaf collection, manual handling tasks.
• Carrying out horticultural and grounds maintenance tasks, including, turf care, tree and shrub planting, pruning, mulching, maintenance of pathways, lawn edging, removal of grass clippings and leaves.
• General maintenance of shrub borders, weeding, dead heading, pruning, leaf collection.
• Gritting and salt spreading to roads and paths during inclement weather conditions.
• Hedge cutting, working at heights, preparing and maintaining artificial sports surfaces.
• Weed spraying, application of fertilisers, chemicals – training can be provided.
• Irrigation of borders and hanging baskets, litter picking.
• Basic repairs and construction of site gates, fencing.
• Assisting with the erection and dismantling of outdoor sports equipment and marking out of sports pitches if required.
• Read, understand and follow risk assessments and safety procedures.
• Maintain tools, machinery and equipment in good working order.
• Other duties as required from time-to-time supporting other staff, as defined by the Head of Grounds, Facilities Manager or Bursar.

This description is not exhaustive but provided as a general guide to the regular duties to be performed.

You may be reasonably required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the character of the duties or the level of the responsibility entailed.

General:

This job description is correct at 7 September 2026 It may vary in consultation with the postholder to reflect the developments to the job.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate must have the following skills and attributes:

· Efficient, motivated, energetic, physically fit and able to work under their own initiative

· Able to communicate well with colleagues and staff

· Must be able to follow work instructions

· Work in accordance with all health and safety regulations and best practices

· Help ensure a safe, welcoming and well-maintained environment for all estate users

· Flexible and adaptable

· Self-motivated

· Good team player

· Honest and reliable

· Understands and supports the Christian ethos and values of the School

The following is essential:

· Full current UK driving licence without endorsements

· Enhanced DBS Clearance prior to start of appointment

· Knowledge and previous experience of grounds and garden maintenance using associated machinery

· Knowledge and experience that the nature of the work can be physically challenging and repetitive

The following is highly desirable:

· An interest in beekeeping

This is a full-time role, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 7.00 am to 4.00 pm including a one-hour unpaid break. These are the core hours, however, given the nature of the role you will be expected to work such hours as necessary to meet the needs of the role. Compensating time off or additional pay will be provided; as appropriate.

We offer a competitive salary; dependant on skills and experience, along with generous holidays, contributory pension scheme, on-site parking, ‘death in service’ benefit (four times salary paid to next of kin as a lump sum) and a remission of fees for a daughter attending the school, in line with the current policy, subject to the usual standards and procedures for admission.

For further details of the school, please visit our website: www.farnborough-hill.org

All applicants will be subject to Enhanced DBS clearance. More information and an application form can be found on the School’s website: www.farnborough-hill.org. Enquiries and completed application forms, available on our website, should be sent for the attention of Rachel Barraud, Facilities Manager, on [email protected]

Please apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon receipt; we reserve the right to interview/appoint before the closing date.

Closing Date: Noon 30 September 2026. However, if interested in applying for the role please submit your application as early as possible as it will be considered upon receipt

Interviews: Interviews will take place on a rolling basis and may take place prior to the closing date

Start Date: ASAP

Pay: From £26,436.80 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person