Groundsperson

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

We have a full time vacancy for a Groundsperson to join our team at Hilsea Playing Fields. The Grounds team provide high quality and well maintained sports facilities to support the school’s busy sporting programme and the school’s lettings programme. The Grounds team supports a programme of planned works throughout the year and also tasks in support of future development and improvement of the site. The team also supports at the main site in Old Portsmouth from time to time.

This is a new role in the team, reporting to the Head Groundsperson.

We welcome applications from candidates who are either developing their careers in groundskeeping and who are looking for a new role in which they will be able to upskill and develop their specialism, or from more experienced grounds staff who can bring relevant qualifications and specialist skills to the role. We will offer a competitive salary which reflects the skills, qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, together with a commitment to further training courses. For a more skilled and experienced candidate there is the possibility of a Deputy Groundsperson role. If you would like more information about the role before you decide to apply, please contact recruitment@pgs.org.uk and we can arrange for an informal discussion with the Head Groundsperson.

We are looking for a team player with good organisational skills, who is able to prioritise tasks and work well with, and take tasks from, the Head Groundsperson as part of a small professional team. The post holder will be willing to develop in the role and undertake all necessary training courses and will be self-motivated and able to work flexibly and under pressure, to meet the changing business needs of the school. There is close liaison between the groundskeeping team, the Sports Department and PGS Lettings, which is overseen by the Head Groundsperson and the Estates and Operations Bursar. The Groundsperson will be professional and friendly to all staff, parents, visitors and pupils who may be involved in sporting activities.

This is a full-time position, and the hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with some Saturdays during school terms. Where Saturday working is required, it is expected a day off during the week will be taken in lieu. There may also be occasional times outside of normal working hours that require groundsperson support in the delivery of the lettings programme or security and, should this be required, time off in lieu will be offered. 

The normal school hours of work are from 8.30am to 4.30pm, inclusive of a 30-minute unpaid lunch break each day, however you will be required to work flexibly on a regular basis as required by the Head Groundsperson to cover some mornings and evenings in support of the sports programme, and for lettings and security and on these days your hours of work will need to be adjusted accordingly. 

The post-holder is also required to attend INSET (Professional Development Days) which are scheduled throughout the school year and to be available to attend relevant training or meetings on other dates as necessary during the year.  

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply using the online form linked to our advert on www.tes.com

Any enquires about the role or how to apply are welcome at recruitment@pgs.org.uk

The closing date is midday on Monday 4th November 2024 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site in the week commencing 11th November 2024.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.