Brief for the position of Groundskeeper CLOSING DATE | 9.00 am 22 September 2025 INTERVIEWS | Week commencing 29 September 2025 Required from October/November 2025 Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School Groundskeeper| Bancroft’s School Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School The Operations Department plays a key role within the school, responsible for the management, oversight and delivery of all planned and reactive maintenance across our estate including our main school site as well as our sports site, West Grove, which is a short drive from the main site. The department is also responsible for the development and establishment of a positive safety culture throughout the school to ensure it meets its legal requirements in terms of Health, Safety, and Compliance. The department consists of: The Operations Director, who line manages: Facilities and Operations Manager • • Grounds Manager • Operations Administrator (new role being created) • Duty Managers The Facilities and Operations Manager line manages: • • • • • 2 Residential Caretakers 4 Porters 2 Plumbers 1 Handyman 1 Electrician The Grounds Manager line manages: • • • 2 Groundskeepers 1 Gardener 1 Apprentice Groundskeeper (new role) Groundskeeper| Bancroft’s School The school has an extensive range of sporting facilities including cricket squares, rugby pitches, tennis courts and athletics tracks. The Groundskeeper works on all sports playing fields at our main school site and West Grove playing fields. Grounds staff are also expected to undertake work in the schools gardens, borders and boundaries, ensuring these areas are maintained to a high standard. This position would suit a “hands on” experienced individual who is flexible and committed to providing quality sports spaces. The Groundskeeper takes an active role whilst understanding the changes in the sporting seasons. Prioritising the day to meet the requirements of the sports department under the guidance of the Grounds Manager is an essential part of this role. Experience in the maintenance of sporting facilities especially cricket pitches is essential. A qualification would be expected (Sports Turf Operative Level 2 or equivalent). Groundskeeper| Bancroft’s School Person Specification: Essential GCSE Maths & English Desirable Education Level 2 Sports Turf Operative (or equivalent) Previous experience working in the care of sports grounds or turf care Full clean driving licence to include tractor driving and towing a trailer Work as part of a team or independently as required Working to deadlines Experience Adaptive to change A willingness to work outside in all weathers The ability to interpret plans and drawings Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations Safe working practices within a grounds post Experience in hard and soft landscaping Previous experience working within a school environment Practical maintenance skills Skills Friendly and cooperative An energetic, proactive attitude Flexible and adaptable to changing demands and priorities Practical and hard working Confident and enthusiastic PA1 / PA2 / PA6 spraying licence Chainsaw licence Knowledge of Safeguarding Personal Qualities Punctual To be physically fit to carry out tasks such as lifting and moving equipment Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School Below is a summary of the key responsibilities of the Groundskeeper: • Prepare all grass and hard surfaces at Bancroft’s to the highest standards including mowing, marking out, weeding and all renovation practices. • General maintenance of landscaped and garden areas for example hedge cutting and planting. • Have a good knowledge in the preparation and set up of cricket pitches and other sports surfaces such as Rugby and Football. • Able to use all grounds relevant machinery including mowers, scarifiers, hedge cutters, strimmers, etc in a safe way. • Top dressing and over seeding pitches • Marking out and measuring running tracks, football and rugby pitches • Able to use tractors with different types of attachments in a safe way. • Keep grounds to a high presentation and clean standard • Application of fertilisers / nutrients and chemicals • Able to identify and control pest, weeds and diseases. • To communicate effectively to sports staff and understand their needs and requirements. • Attend appropriate training courses to allow safe use of grounds equipment (if required) • Assist in erection and dismantling of sports equipment • • • Ensure work areas and school grounds are kept clean, tidy and secure at all times. Informing the Grounds Manager where appropriate, of mechanical defects and machinery breakdowns. Supporting the grounds team with the maintenance of trees, hedges and paths, including leaf collection and spraying, working at heights and manual handling. • Manage and check facilities, plant, and equipment to ensure safe working practices and health and safety legislation including equipment and plant checks. • Support the efficient use of resources. Make recommendations for improving the best use of resources and playing surfaces. • Any additional duties, as directed by the Grounds Manager, Operations Director or Chief Operating Officer which are within the reasonable capability and responsibility of the Groundskeeper. Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School Other The position is a permanent 52 weeks per year role. The working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday - 0800 to 1600 with 30 minutes unpaid lunch. This position requires a level of flexibility and the successful applicant will be expected to work additional time after hours as required to meet the school needs. Holidays for a full-time candidate are 27 days per year, as well as 8 Bank Holiday days and holiday will only be taken with the approval of Grounds Manager in advance. The salary range is £28,000 - £33,000 per annum based on qualifications and experience. Groundskeeper| Bancroft’s School Groundskeeper| Bancroft’s School Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School Groundskeeper | Bancroft’s School Closing Date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 22 September 2025 Interviews: Week commencing Monday 29 September 2025