MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Management: 

• To take full responsibility for the day to day running and preparation of sports grounds and associated facilities to meet with the School’s requirements. 

• Supervise and robustly manage a team of grounds staff, providing guidance, training, and performance management.  

• Plan, organise, and allocate tasks amongst the team to ensure efficient and effective grounds maintenance.  

• Maintain a positive and collaborative team environment.  

• Offer innovative proposals to improve the facilities provided for the pupils. 

• Demonstrate an exemplar standard of expertise and workmanship across all tasks carried out by the department 

Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping: 

• Maintain all areas of the school grounds, including lawns, gardens, sports pitches, and pathways, to a high standard.  

• Carry out routine maintenance tasks such as mowing, strimming, edging, pruning, weeding, and planting.  

• Ensure the safe and effective operation of all groundskeeping equipment, including lawnmowers, tractors, and other machinery.  

• Implement and maintain a comprehensive grounds maintenance plan, including fertilization, pest control, and irrigation strategies.  

• Continue to review industry best practice on grounds maintenance techniques, consumable products and technology to ensure the School remains a best in class facility 

• Support the School’s Sustainability and Environmental objectives whilst ensuring quality of provision is not compromised by continually reviewing available products and carrying out suitable trials where appropriate 

Sports Facilities Management: 

• Ensure all sports facilities (e.g., pitches, courts, tracks) are in optimal condition for use, including marking out and preparation in line with timetable requirements, minimizing down time and prioritising academic activities.  

• Carry out repairs and renovations to sports facilities as needed during School holiday periods.  

• Monitor and address any issues with sports facilities promptly and safely.  

• Undertake supervision and maintenance at the School’s satellite sports sites. 

Budgeting & Finance: 

• Manage and monitor a grounds budget covering labour resources, grounds maintenance materials, external contractors, machinery, maintenance, purchase of new equipment and capital works. 

• Prepare the annual budget requests for the Grounds department including contingency provisions for adverse weather conditions. 

• Coordinate the negotiation, purchase, storage and control of all consumable materials and services in a cost-effective manner. 

• Follow the School’s financial procedures that are set out in Standing Financial Instructions. 

Safety & Compliance: 

• Ensure all groundskeeping activities are carried out in a safe and responsible manner, adhering to all relevant safety regulations and procedures.  

• Conduct regular safety checks of grounds and equipment.  

• Maintain accurate records of all ground’s maintenance activities and equipment maintenance.  

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of and ensure compliance with all relevant National and Local current legislation, ie. Health and safety, first aid, COSHH, environmental management and employment to ensure compliance. 

• Conduct regular risk assessment programmes. 

• Head the snow / ice clearance of pathways and roads as required during the winter months. 

• Carry out regular Toolbox Talk training with the team to ensure safety and technical excellence standards are maintained 

• Ensure all equipment and consumable items are stored in a safe and compliant fashion 

Communication & Collaboration: 

• Close liaison with the Director of Sports to ensure their requirements are met. 

• Communicate effectively with school staff, students, and parents regarding grounds maintenance issues and planned activities.  

• Collaborate with other school departments, such as the sports department and wider estates department, to ensure effective coordination of activities.  

• Set up for events (academic, commercial, alumni, and parent-led) when requested. 

• Provide advice and guidance where necessary during planning for parent-led events to ensure the School’s academic and commercial interests are appropriately preserved. 

These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the position will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Estates Director. 

• Criteria
• How will these be tested or verified?
• Qualifications

• Essential

  • Full Manual Driving License – Highgate will request to view the individual’s driving license during the recruitment process. The license will be checked for entitlement to drive the required category of vehicle 
  • Appropriate Level 2 or Level 3 Qualification in Groundskeeping or similar area
• Experience

• Essential

  • Experience working in a similar role 
  • Experience of working as part of a team 
  • Basic understanding of Health and Safety and risk assessments 

   

  Desirable

  • Experience working within an educational environment. 
  • Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies 
  • Basic First Aid experience 
• Ability/Skills

• Essential

  • Capable of working on his/her own initiative 
  • Quick-thinking and the ability to deal with situations as they arise 
  • Physically fit 
  • Basic level of IT, written and communication skills 
  • Strong interpersonal and observational skills 
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure and multi-task 
  • Ability to work well as a member of a team  
  • Ability to communicate effectively with visitors to the school, pupils, teaching and support staff 
• Personal Attributes

• Essential

  • Reliable, confident and committed 
  • High degree of personal drive and motivation 
  • A team player with a flexible ‘can do’ approach 
  • A responsible and conscientious approach 
  • A polite and friendly manner 
  • Ability to understand and adapt to the culture of an independent day school