Groundskeeper

The Role
We are seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Groundskeeper to join our dedicated Estates team on a permanent basis.

Responsible to the Head Groundsman, the Groundskeeper will be charged with looking after sports fields and surrounding areas to a high standard, as well and the maintenance, operation and safe handling of horticultural equipment, tools and materials.

Previous experience in a similar capacity is preferred and experience of operating horticultural equipment and manual handling are strongly preferred, however further inhouse training will be provided.

**Hours of Work**: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (37 hours per week). You will be required to work additional overtime, around one in every three Saturdays, for approximately 5.5 hours.

Exact hours of work on Saturdays will be determined with the Head Groundsman. Please note that overtime is also required during the Summer months, to assist in the running of additional sports events.

Main Responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description.

You will hold the following skills and attributes.

Previous experience in a similar capacity is essential; experience of operating horticultural equipment and manual handling are strongly preferred, however further inhouse training will be provided

Previous experience or Qualification in Pesticide use

Valid full driving licence preferred

Proficient in using manual and power tools safely

Ability to follow instructions and be an effective team player, with a friendly disposition

Available to work overtime and be flexible where required

Enthusiastic, hard-working, meticulous, and patient

Self-motivated with excellent communication skills; ability to communicate in a polite and pleasant manner with staff, parents and pupils

**Additional Information**
Heriot’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Please note that parking is not available on our campus
- George Heriot’s School is governed by George Heriot’s Trust, Scottish Charity number SC011463_

About the school/organisation
**George Heriot’s School**

It might be difficult to imagine a school you haven’t seen, situated in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle on a World Heritage site, echoing the Castle’s turreted structure in its striking main building, The Wark.

George Heriot’s School foundation stone was laid in 1628, thanks to the vision of early philanthropist, goldsmith and court jeweller George Heriot. George Heriot’s vision, inspired by what he had witnessed at Christ’s Hospital School, was to create a school for fatherless children. The school opened its doors in 1659 and expanded in the 1800’s to create a further 18 out-schools for the children of Edinburgh, educating many thousands of children before the advent of the 1872 Education Act, when schooling became managed by the state.

The school has survived Cromwell’s troops, two world wars and evolved in its nine-acre city centre site to become today the leading independent school in Scotland, as voted by The Sunday Times in 2021. Heriot’s is a modern and vibrant hive of co-educational learning, with 1,668 children from age 4- 18 filling its corridors, turrets and learning spaces to study the Scottish curriculum, learning to question, to respect rights, to develop confidence in their own voice and above all, leaving with a skill set to carve their place in the modern world.

Herioters today go on to become actors and writers, advocates and scientists, doctors, researchers,public servants and more, many continuing the legacy of its founder by supporting the school’s Foundation.

There are many advantages to teaching children Philosophy. It improves literacy and language skills, encourages children to develop articulacy and self-expression, nourishes concentration and thinking skills and invites young people to be effective in collaboration, group work and reasoning. The Learning Enhancement team delivers a programme which incorporates Philosophy, Resilience, Teambuilding and Mindfulness, setting up good habits for life.

Heriot’s has recently been awarded its third consecutive gold award for being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. The rights of every child are central to school life, including promotion of rights respecting attitudes and language across year groups, from diversity, equality and inclusion lessons to pupil-led assemblies celebrating Diwali, Black History Month, Dyslexia awareness and more. Receiving the recent award from Independent School Magazine is a tremendous fillip for the school, according to Principal Gareth Warren: ‘’Third party recognition of what we do gives us encouragement that amongst 700 schools UK-wide, we are achieving something special. Today we look to the future to ensure the content of curriculum, the pupil experience we offer and the availability of a compelling extra curricular offer