Grounds Supervisor
Full time
“ Pupils show an acute sense of respect for each other and were unanimous in their belief that diversity is a normal part of life.
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ISI Inspection
ISI Inspection
” Both in and out of class, behaviour is excellent.
HEADMASTER’S WELCOME
Thank you for your interest in the position of Grounds Supervisor at the Royal Grammar School Guildford.
The RGS boasts a diverse, vibrant community of individuals in both teaching and support roles who take pride in the success of their School.
The School’s success presents itself in its most recent GCSE and A level results; in the large number of student applications year on year (consistently four applications for every place); the ISI inspection report in which the RGS was rated ‘Excellent’ across all aspects of School life; in the range of sporting achievements and in the staff who are proud to say that they work here.
Our boys are “excellent listeners who contribute to discussion with great respect” and “display excellent attitudes to their learning” (ISI report, February 2022). The academic standards in the School are excellent and the curriculum is enriched by an extensive extra-curricular programme in which all academic staff are expected to participate; sports and the arts are an important element in School life.
The benefits of working here go beyond those listed in the job description; if you accept an offer of employment, you would be joining a staff body that collaborates professionally and socially across all departments.
The RGS is an exciting place in which to be a member of staff; I look forward to receiving an application from you.
HEADMASTER
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Grounds Supervisor
Responsible to: Grounds Manager
Job Purpose
To ensure that all safe working practices are adhered to and that grounds and gardens are kept as a safe environment to be used by all.
This is a hands-on supervisory position, to include all aspects of the day-to-day maintenance of the schools’ grounds and gardens and to deputise for the Grounds Manager.
Role & Responsibilities
Grounds
• Undertake the care and maintenance of the grounds and facilities at RGS and RGS Prep in conjunction with the maintenance team.
• Responsible for day-to-day work targets and organisation of Grounds staff as directed by the Grounds Manager.
• Maintain the sports pitches and other facilities at the School’s playing fields at Bradstone Brook, Shalford. This includes the treatment and preparation of the grounds as well as the seasonable change around and preparation of pitches for Rugby, Football and Cricket.
• Tend, plant and cultivate the gardens at RGS and RGS Prep schools.
• White line marking and setting out sports pitches.
Machinery
• Assist in the maintenance of Grounds machinery to ensure that it is kept in good working order and complies with Health and Safety law.
• Ensure all machinery and hand tools are used and maintained appropriately. Adhere to guidance set out in user manuals and ensure that all safety requirements are met in accordance with governing regulations such as PUWER.
• Ensure all machinery and hand tools are cleaned and stored correctly after each use and all machinery stores are kept clean and tidy.
• Ensure that machinery pre-checks and setting up procedures are adhered to by staff.
• Follow any maintenance programs already in place and advise where/when changes need to be made.
• Manage maintenance requirements and prioritise works and timings around sports fixtures and upcoming events accordingly.
Matchdays
• Unlock sports ground.
• Set up for relevant sports.
• Assist with car parking.
• Litter picking.
• Be available to help with any queries from parents and visitors.
Other
• Liaise with and supervise all Grounds-related external contractors as directed by the Grounds Manager.
• Supervise the team and their activities in the Grounds Managers’ absence.
• Provide regular reports and updates to the Grounds Manager with regards to staff, machinery and tasks.
• To be a key holder in the absence of the Grounds Manager.
• Assist with the training and development of staff to enable them to reach their targets and goals.
• Work closely with the wider estates team to ensure all school requirements are met.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential
• The post holder must enjoy working outdoors and have a minimum of 3 years’ experience of the maintenance of sports grounds or gardens, ideally turf sports including rugby, cricket and football.
• Driving licence is essential - this role is based at Bradstone Brook Playing Fields in Shalford and will involve regular travel to the RGS and RGS Prep Schools for which a vehicle will be provided.
• Experience of the maintenance of grounds equipment.
• Familiar with Microsoft packages including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• GCSE English or equivalent.
• Experience of working within a successful team.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• A high level of communication skills both written and verbal.
• A flexible approach to the tasks within their role.
• Enthusiastic with the ability to prioritise workload and work in an organised manner without close supervision.
• Overtime (paid) for sports fixtures during term time is essential. Mostly Saturdays, some Sundays, mid-week fixtures, and occasional evenings.
Desirable
• NVQ Level 2 or above.
• It is desirable that the post holder has certificates in First Aid at Work and Pesticide Spraying.
• An understanding of gardens, planting requirements, soil health, and plant maintenance needs.
• Understanding of synthetic surface maintenance including AWTA and cricket nets.
WORKING AT THE RGS
Your career at the RGS begins with a warm welcome and comprehensive induction. You will be introduced to department colleagues, key people within the School and fellow new starters from across the departments.
Opportunities to get involved in wider school activities are many and varied; sporting fixtures, theatre productions and field trips to name just a few. Then there are the social groups set up by and for colleagues which include a running group, book club, theatre trips, football and a wind band. However you choose to get involved, you are guaranteed to find yourself among like-minded individuals.
Chris Lee
Sean Comer
Service Delivery Manager, joined 2021
What's the best thing about working at the RGS?
The team I work with. The varied work we do. Working on the High Street.
Which staff social groups are you involved in? Staff football.
International Operations Director, joined 2018
What’s the best thing about working at the RGS?
The caring nature of the RGS and that there is no mistake that, whatever your role, you are part of the team.
Which staff social groups are you involved in? Cycling - but I need to do more!
Grace Richards
Teacher of Geography, Head of Athletics,
joined 2016
What's the best thing about working at the RGS? It's fun! Colleagues and students are so friendly and there's always something to smile about.
What is your motto in life? Keep smiling!
BENEFITS
In addition to joining a successful and sociable staff body you will also receive the following benefits:
Hours of work
Remuneration
Fee reduction
Private healthcare
Pension
Commuting Loan
Gym
Employee Assistance Programme
Full time plus frequent Saturdays, some Sundays and occasional evenings. Overtime will be paid.
Circa £30K plus overtime
Fee reduction for son(s) of staff is available (after a qualifying period and subject to success at the entrance examination).
Private medical cover is available for all staff. This is paid for by the School, but is a taxable benefit so there is an indirect cost to the individual.
All support staff are automatically enrolled into the company pension scheme. The level of contribution by the individual is 5%; the School will contribute 10%.
Interest-free loans are available for rail season ticket holders.
Use of on-site gym at certain times of the day.
A free, confidential counselling & wellbeing support service that can support you, your partner or spouse, and dependent children over 16 still living at home.
ABOUT THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The RGS is a kind, inclusive, tolerant community where diverse opportunity, personal development, high achievement and collaborative partnership define who we are.
Our values of inclusivity, scholarship, integrity, respect, courage and collaboration underpin all we do.
Boys come to the RGS from around 140 different schools in Surrey and the neighbouring home counties and this number is growing each year. We regularly receive four applications for every place.
The RGS curriculum aims to combine breadth with balance. In the first three years all boys study a broad range of subjects, choosing options at the end of their third year which sees them sitting ten GCSE subjects including English Language, English Literature, a Modern Foreign Language, Mathematics, three separate sciences and a humanities subject. From the Third Form, a Tutor Period is introduced during which boys study Information Technology, Problem Solving, First Aid, Health Education and Study Skills. It is also during this time that initial careers and higher education guidance is given which then continues throughout the boys’ time at the School.
The RGS boasts a thriving Sixth Form with all boys studying four subjects in the Lower Sixth and then continuing with three or four subjects to A Level in the Upper Sixth. This is complemented by a range of General Studies courses which are co-educational, organised jointly with Guildford High School.
All boys are encouraged to engage in independent research and activities throughout their time in the School via our Scholarship for all programme. Whilst not curricular, there is an expectation that staff will support this provision as their experience and expertise enables.
All members of the teaching staff help with co- and extra-curricular activities, of which there is an impressively wide range. Music, Art and Drama all flourish with performances, exhibitions and workshops. There is a well-equipped auditorium, a large Art School and a purpose built Music Department. We have a very active clubs and societies programme that takes place before, during and after school each day. All the Third Form take part in our curricular, weekly expedition and adventure programme, EXAD. We have five Field Days per year and also offer overseas expeditions, a large Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme and numerous sports tours. Staff are invited to attend and support all of these events.
WHY WORK IN GUILDFORD?
Guildford is a vibrant and exciting place in which to live. Rich in history, it is a welcoming town with a flourishing and varied cultural life. Entertainment is diverse with a number of lively and nationally renowned venues including G Live, the Yvonne Arnaud theatre and the eclectic Electric Theatre. There are outstanding sport and leisure facilities which include the state-of-the-art training venues and sports complexes of Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum. Guildford offers one of the south east’s best shopping experiences with the iconic High Street combining exclusive and popular national chains as well as a number of independent retailers. Dining options cater for every taste and budget with local traditional and gastro pubs in nearby Surrey villages drawing customers from a wide area.
Educationally, Guildford is thriving. RGS Guildford and Guildford High School are regularly ranked in the top ten single-sex schools in the country. RGS also enjoys close links with other girls’ schools, Tormead School and St Catherine’s, Bramley. The University of Surrey was awarded ‘University of the Year for Graduate Employment’ by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
Guildford has the advantage of being very accessible and enjoys excellent transport links. London is just over a 30-mile drive via the A3 and well served by trains (just 29 minutes to Clapham Junction and 39 minutes to London Waterloo). International airports London Gatwick and London Heathrow are only 30 minutes from the town.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are close by; the Surrey Hills and North Downs are on the School's doorstep and provide opportunities to enjoy the stunning countryside; the south coast is approximately one hour by car.
William Cobbett “
The town of Guildford, which I, who have seen so many, many towns, think it is the prettiest, and…most happylooking, that I ever saw in my life.
GUILDFORD
The setting:
The Surrey Hills
North Downs
South Downs
Picturesque villages
The south coast
Travel by rail:
Clapham Junction 29 minutes
London Waterloo 39 minutes
Portsmouth Harbour 60 minutes
Gatwick Airport 45 minutes
Travel by road:
London 32 miles via the A3; Heathrow 22 miles; Gatwick 34 miles via A3 and M25; Portsmouth 44 miles; Brighton 59 miles
North Downs
The
Guildford Castle
SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN & SECURITY OF DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The Royal Grammar School Guildford meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check from the DBS before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. It is of fundamental importance to The Royal Grammar School to ensure, so far as possible, that those who take up appointments do not pose a risk to the children in its care.
APPLICATIONS
We are proactively committed to creating a diverse staff body, which reflects the community that we teach. At RGS we value diversity and inclusion; we want to attract the best people for the roles available. This is regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.
Please note: applications will be considered on receipt and we reserve the right to close applications early.
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