Westminster School - Groundsperson

South West London
Westminster School
Full-time

Summary

We are currently seeking to fill the position of Groundsperson.

Detail

Required for: October 2025

Location: Vincent Square, Westminster School

Contract: Permanent, full time

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Benefits include:

- Free school meals when on-site

- 25 days paid holiday, as well as bank holidays and a discretionary Christmas shutdown period

- Generous School pension scheme and

- Free access to the School’s leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours).

- Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period

- Private medical insurance (opt in).

The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Wednesday 24th September 2025. Interviews will take place in-person shortly after the closing date.

Westminster School has a 10-acre playing field at Vincent Square, the largest square in Central London, which allows for pupils to engage in sport close to the School. The playing field is comprised of cricket pitches, football pitches, along with tennis courts of both tarmac and artificial grass surfaces. In addition, there is an activity area with apparatus which are used by the pupils who attend Westminster Under School.

The grounds staff at Westminster School are expected to maintain the School’s playing surfaces and surrounding areas to the highest of standards, with the supervision of the Head Groundsperson.

Line managed by the Head Groundsperson, the postholder will be expected to do:

Grounds maintenance duties, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, strimming, weeding, tractor operation, ride-on and pedestrian machinery.
Initial marking and overmarking of sports areas such as football pitches, cricket squares and athletic tracks.
Maintain artificial / synthetic playing areas.
Horticultural operations, including ground preparation, planting, turfing, seeding and pruning.
Assemble and dismantle sports equipment, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard.
Liaise closely with games staff and external parties to ensure the availability of sports pitches and equipment, in the absence of the Head Groundsperson.
Arrange the correct provision of sports kits for the various teams, via liaison with the school’s Site Services.
Ensure the highest standards of works are achieved in a timely and efficient manner.
Provide effective materials and machinery management to ensure all equipment is correctly stored and maintained.
Ensure the security of equipment, machinery, and buildings.
Maintain cleanliness and general tidiness of all internal / external areas.
Help clear leaves, snow, ice, moss, and detritus as appropriate, including treatment of surfaces with salt, with the rest of the grounds team.
Report any minor works issues through the appropriate channels.
Supervise the weekly inspections of the activity play equipment.
Assist, when necessary, with the assembly and maintenance of school equipment.
Be the main point of contact for all visitors and staff to the grounds, in the absence of the Head Groundsperson.
Ensure vehicles and equipment used by the team are regularly maintained in accordance with routine operating requirements and recorded, with any defects reported to the Head Groundsperson in a timely manner.
Adhere to Health & Safety requirements, complying with current legislation and the School’s Health and Safety Policy.
Carry out regular stock checks of consumables and replace where required.
Ensure the safe use, storage, calibration and disposal of pesticides and other similar substances.
Use the irrigation system, when required, to maintain the grass sports pitches to optimum condition.
Promote the health and safety of others, responding to emergencies where possible.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, colleagues, and end users.
Collaborate with and, where possible, make recommendations to the Head Groundsperson regarding improved work systems, labour, and machinery utilisation.

This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of Westminster School and the role develops. The role requires adaptability, and employees of the School may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description. Any changes to the job description will be discussed with the postholder before being implemented.

Hours of Work

07:30 – 16:00, Monday to Friday and Saturdays on rotation (equating to 13 Saturdays to be worked per year). This is a full-time, permanent role.

Hours worked in addition to those above will be paid at the standard overtime rates. All overtime must be approved in advance by the Head Groundsperson.