We are seeking to appoint a Groundsperson to join our School.

Description

We are seeking to appoint a Groundsperson to join our School. The Groundsperson plays a vital role in maintaining the outdoor environment across all school sites, including sports pitches, gardens, and associated properties. The postholder contributes to the smooth running of the Estate Department, ensuring high standards of presentation, safety, and functionality. This role supports the wider school community and upholds the values and ethos of a Catholic independent boarding and day school.

Key responsibilities:

• to maintain the grounds, sports pitches, and gardens across all school sites
• to use a wide range of tools, hand equipment, and small machinery
• to operate machinery safely, including tractors, trailers, and grass-cutting equipment
• to carry out seasonal duties, including clearing pathways of snow and ice
• to support Gardens, Farm, and Equestrian teams with tasks such as mowing, strimming, and hedge cutting
• to assist with general site duties including traffic control and litter picking
• to drive school vehicles safely and responsibly when required (subject to appropriate licence)
• to ensure all work is carried out with due regard to personal safety and the safety of others
• to contribute to cross-curricular and cross-divisional initiatives where appropriate
• to support departmental promotion activities, including displays and Open Days
• to work cooperatively to create a safe, positive, and purposeful environment
• to promote and safeguard the welfare of students in line with safeguarding policies
• to report any safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• to comply with Health & Safety and Medical & First Aid policies and procedures
• to adhere to all school policies, including Health & Safety and environmental standards
• to read and implement risk assessments prior to undertaking tasks
• to identify hazards and take immediate action to make safe or report appropriately
• to attend training and continuous professional development opportunities
• to seek continuous improvement in service delivery and working practices
• to build positive working relationships based on care, trust, and respect
• to report accidents, incidents, and near misses and support preventative measures

The successful candidate will be expected:

Essential

• to have a clear understanding of, and commitment to, the aims of a Catholic independent boarding and day school
• to uphold and demonstrate the values expressed in the Mission & Ethos Statement
• to be educated to GCSE level
• to hold a full, clean driving licence
• to have good communication skills
• to be physically capable of manual handling and working across a large outdoor site
• to have the ability to work efficiently, accurately, and with attention to detail
• to have basic IT skills
• to be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• to have affiliation with the Grounds Management Association
• to hold a Level 2 Diploma in Sport Turf or Amenity Horticulture
• to have completed basic Health & Safety training
• to have a clear understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• to demonstrate integrity and consistently reflect values of care, trust, and respect
• to be highly motivated, proactive, and willing to learn
• to be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• to be friendly, approachable, and professional
• to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in response to change

What New Hall offers:

• Excellent benefits & CPD
• Lunch without charge in term time
• Discounted annual membership for New Hall Sport Club

New Hall School offers an exceptional working environment. The main campus occupies the stunning Grade I listed former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. The School’s conference and events venue is at the Grade I listed Boreham House, one mile away. New Hall is a warm, welcoming, and supportive community, with a staff of around 300.

Beaulieu Park railway station is at the entrance to New Hall’s Avenue: 30 minutes to Stratford and 38 minutes to London Liverpool Street. The Elizabeth Line at Shenfield (13 minutes by train) terminates at Heathrow airport. There are nearby airports: London Stansted, London Southend and London City.

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of this advertisement.

Application closing date: midday, Friday 8 May 2026

All adults employed by the New Hall School have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations. All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). New Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.