Ipswich School – Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG Competitive Salary Full Time Permanent Reference: 0118 Required as soon as possible Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 130 schools in the country and is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399, moving to our present site in 1852. The original buildings stand in front of fine modern classrooms, science laboratories and an award-winning sports hall. These, together with the School Library and performing arts centre, face the school field. There are further extensive playing fields within easy walking distance and our Sports Centre, with further grass pitches and sand-dressed artificial pitches for hockey and netball, is based at Rushmere. Our Westwood Boarding House, just five minutes' walk away on Constitution Hill, is set in wooded grounds, and our Anglesea Heights Boarding House is located adjacent to the Senior School. We offer a range of sports (including hockey, rugby, cricket, netball, tennis, football and athletics). The school benefits from a dedicated team of Estates staff who work to maintain and continually improve the school’s buildings and grounds. We are looking for a keen Groundsperson who will take pride in ensuring the school always looks its best. You will: assist in maintaining our sports pitches and grounds to a very high standard be able to work independently as well as in a small team and be responsible and positive in your approach be willing and flexible be able to get on well with others. You will primarily be based at the Senior School (located on Henley Road) and our Notcutts (Senior School) Sports Field, which is located nearby, but you will be required to work at other school sites on a regular basis to ensure that the school’s grounds are always kept in excellent order. You will be working with the Grounds Manager to ensure that all sports pitches and grounds are prepared and ready for use throughout the year. An annualised hours contract (total 1950 hours) is in operation to ensure that the school runs smoothly (which will mean longer days on some occasions such as throughout the Cricket season, and shorter days on others, and will be directed by the Grounds Manager). You are likely to be required to work between the following hours, but as explained above, these timings may change to reflect seasonal requirements: Summer working hours (from around the beginning of April to around the end of September) as required during the hours of 7am -5pm, Monday - Sunday. Winter working hours (from around the beginning of October to around the end of March) as required during the hours of 8am -3pm, Monday - Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work We can offer you: 28 working days’ paid holiday per year, including public holidays with one extra day’s holiday may be taken for each completed 2 years of service, up to a maximum of 5 extra days A defined contribution pension scheme (with 10% employer contributions) 3x salary death in service cover After 3 years’ service with the school you will be entitled to generous fee remission. Access to Smarthealth, an employee wellbeing app with 24/7 GP access and mental health support Free lunch in the dining hall during term time, and free use of the school’s swimming pool and gym For more information To find out more about us, please visit our website (ipswich.school). Please contact Syd Townsend, Grounds Manager, by calling 07935342660 for an informal discussion or more information about this post. How to apply To apply, please complete an application form by visiting our website (Ipswich,schools/vacancies). Alternatively, you can contact the HR team by calling 01473 408300 or by emailing hripswich.school to request an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned the Director of HR by email to hripswich.school or directly to the school Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Closing date: 12pm, 2 April 2025. Candidates may be contacted or invited to interview prior to the closing date, and we may close this vacancy early if suitable candidates apply. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and always ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (the Senior Deputy Head, Pastoral for Senior School pupils, the Prep Deputy Head for Prep pupils and the Nursery Manager for The Lodge Day Nursery). Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed. Applicants are advised that in the interests of the health and safety of all its pupils and employees, Ipswich School operates a No Smoking Policy and employees are expected to comply with the statutory restriction on smoking in public places.