Experienced Groundsperson - Independent School, West London

About the Role

Principal Education is working in partnership with a well-established independent school in West London to recruit an experienced and dedicated Groundsperson to join its established grounds and site team.

The school boasts extensive sporting facilities, including rugby and cricket pitches, an artificial hockey pitch, tennis and netball courts, alongside attractive landscaped grounds. The successful candidate will play a vital role in maintaining these facilities to an excellent standard, ensuring they remain safe, well-presented and ready for pupils, staff, sporting fixtures and school events throughout the year.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced grounds professional with a strong background in sports turf maintenance who takes pride in their work, enjoys working outdoors and understands the importance of maintaining high-quality playing surfaces in a busy school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Maintain the quality, appearance, safety and playability of sports pitches, playing surfaces and landscaped grounds.

Prepare, mark out and set up sports pitches and facilities for training sessions, competitive fixtures and school events.

Maintain cricket squares and pitches to a high standard, ensuring they are suitable for different age groups, playing conditions and seasons.

Carry out routine grounds maintenance, turf care, cultivation, landscaping and minor construction work.

Operate, maintain and safely store groundskeeping machinery, vehicles, tools and equipment.

Monitor and maintain irrigation and drainage systems, responding to weather-related challenges, including waterlogging and flooding where required.

Ensure all groundskeeping activities comply with relevant health and safety procedures.

Work collaboratively with the wider grounds team, school staff and sports department to coordinate pitch preparation and facility availability.

Assist with setting up, maintaining and clearing facilities for sporting fixtures, school events and other activities.

Monitor groundskeeping materials and supplies, maintain accurate records and report equipment or replenishment requirements.

Support site security duties, including keyholding, alarm and CCTV monitoring, where required.

Ensure grounds, equipment and facilities remain clean, organised, safe and ready for use.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate will be an experienced, reliable and proactive grounds professional who can work independently, manage competing priorities and contribute positively to an established team.

You must have:

A full, valid UK driving licence.

At least three years’ experience working in a sports grounds environment.

Proven experience maintaining high-quality sports surfaces and playing pitches.

Practical experience operating and maintaining groundskeeping machinery, equipment and systems.

A sound understanding of seasonal sports ground maintenance and turf management.

Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements and safe working practices.

A flexible approach to working hours, including alternate Saturdays during term time and occasional additional hours during busy sporting periods.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

The following would be advantageous:

A Level 2 qualification or higher in grounds maintenance, sports turf management or a related discipline.

Practical experience maintaining cricket squares and preparing pitches for competitive fixtures.

Experience working across multiple sports surfaces and maintaining facilities to a consistently high standard.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

Reliable and organised, with excellent attention to detail and a strong work ethic.

Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all seasons and varying weather conditions.

Proactive and practical, with the ability to identify maintenance needs and take appropriate action.

Calm, adaptable and capable of prioritising tasks effectively.

A strong team player who communicates professionally with colleagues and school staff.

Committed to maintaining high standards of presentation, safety and service.

Professional and respectful in an educational setting, with a clear commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

Working Hours and Benefits

40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Alternate Saturday working during term time, on a rota with the wider grounds team.

Occasional additional hours may be required to support sporting fixtures, seasonal maintenance and school events.

35 days’ holiday, to be taken during school holidays.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a respected independent school with extensive sporting facilities and an established grounds team.

You will have a hands-on role in maintaining high-quality pitches and outdoor facilities that are central to school life, helping pupils and staff enjoy safe, well-maintained sporting environments throughout the year.

If you have the relevant sports grounds experience, take pride in maintaining exceptional playing surfaces and are looking for your next opportunity in a school environment, we would welcome your application