Groundsperson - King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls

The Schools

King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls are two of the best independent day schools in the country, sharing a leafy campus in Edgbaston, next to the University of Birmingham. Both Schools are part of the King Edward VI Foundation and have high academic standards and a varied sporting programme, including rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics.

There are more than 30 acres of playing fields, natural and artificial, including a large single area the Schools share (South Field), with enough room for five rugby pitches from September to March and three cricket squares from April to August. King Edward’s School also has various ornamental lawns, trees, shrubs and one internal courtyard. A second site, situated across the Bristol Road, is in three parts – the Eastern Road playing fields which comprise the 1st XV rugby pitch, 1st XI cricket square, tennis courts and ornamental shrubs, the Southall Pavilion – which includes a hybrid sand and water based hockey pitch, and general playing fields used for rugby training. The King Edward VI High School for Girls site includes two sand dressed all weather pitches with flood lighting, hard court netball pitches and tennis courts, and one grass hockey pitch. In addition, the school has a number of large ornamental flower beds and two internal planted courtyards.

The Role

The Schools are looking for an experienced Groundsperson to join the Grounds team working across all parts of the site, together with a Deputy Head Groundsman (with responsibility for Eastern Road playing fields) and a Head Groundsman with overall responsibility for the whole site.

Key duties

To complete work on the grounds as directed by the Head Groundsman; this could include:

• preparation and maintenance of a variety of sports pitches and surfaces to a high standard, including mowing, marking out, aeration and renovation practices
• preparation and upkeep of lawns and decorative areas – mowing, strimming, pruning and weeding
• removal of litter, leaves and rubbish in certain defined areas
• operation and maintenance of various types of machinery and equipment
• in icy/snowy weather, ensuring that footpaths, steps and parking areas are safe for pupils, staff and parents to access – this may require early morning work to salt, grit and clear snow and ice before the beginning of the school day
• unlocking and locking of ground and facilities
• awareness of Health & Safety requirements
• undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time

Person specification

Candidates must have demonstrable experience of working as a Groundsperson (in any setting; school experience is desirable but not essential). The successful individual will have basic labouring, and some general grounds and maintenance skills, although relevant sports turf or chemical licence qualifications would be advantageous.

This is a physical role so you must be reasonably fit and able to cope with using heavy machinery, lifting, carrying and working outdoors in all weather conditions. The post holder will be enthusiastic, hardworking, with high standards, good attention to detail and be able to work under their own initiative.

Candidates must also possess good teamwork, organisation and communication skills and be comfortable liaising with staff, pupils, parents, contractors and other third-party users of the School’s facilities. The successful individual must also possess a clean, valid driving licence, as there is the requirement to drive tractors and school vehicles to deliver your duties.

A flexible approach is needed to working hours. As well as some requirement to work early mornings and evenings, team members may be required to work paid overtime on Saturdays during the Summer term to prepare wickets prior to school cricket matches.

Terms and Conditions

Reporting to: Head Groundsman

Benefits: 22 days annual leave per annum, rising to 25 days after completion of 5 years’ service (plus 8 statutory bank holidays and 4 concessionary days)

Enrolment in Defined Contribution pension scheme

Free hot lunch during term time

Use of swimming pool and gym facilities
 

How to Apply

Please send completed applications addressed to the Bursar (Estates and Finance) by email to kesrecruitment@keschools.org.uk.

Applications should comprise the following:

• a covering letter
• a completed application form, available for download from our website

If you have any queries about this role, or would like to discuss it in more detail, please email Garry Watson, Head Groundsman ga.watson@keschools.org.uk.

The deadline for applications is 9am on Friday 4 October 2024, however applications will be reviewed on receipt and so early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.