Job Description:

Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Location: Uppingham, Rutland
Contract: Full time

About the role

Uppingham School is seeking a skilled, experienced and passionate gardener to join its professional Gardens Team, maintaining and developing approximately 40 acres of landscaped grounds across a historic school estate.

This role has a strong focus on nursery work, including growing, planting and supporting seasonal displays, and would particularly suit a gardener with nursery or plant production experience and a keen interest in this area.

Working across ornamental, mixed and herbaceous beds and borders, lawns, trees, hard and soft landscaping, and pots and planters, you will produce high‑quality work to RHS standards, creating attractive environments for pupils, staff, visitors and the wider Uppingham community. You will also support the design, growing and planting of floral displays for Uppingham and Britain in Bloom competitions.

What you’ll be doing

• Producing and maintaining a high standard of horticultural work across the school estate
• Maintaining and improving beds, borders, lawns, trees, planters and landscaped areas
• Supporting nursery operations, including growing and planting for seasonal and permanent displays
• Taking responsibility for the quality and presentation of your work areas
• Working independently or as part of a team across multiple locations
• Using computer‑aided estate management systems to manage jobs and workflow
• Safely using and maintaining gardening machinery and tools, reporting any faults
• Working in line with health and safety requirements at all times
• Communicating effectively with the Gardens Manager, Deputy Gardens Manager, Team Leader and colleagues

About you

You will be a confident, motivated and knowledgeable gardener, able to work at a commercial pace while taking pride in detail and presentation.

Essential experience and skills:

• Experience across a wide range of horticultural operations in a commercially paced environment
• Strong plant knowledge and sound horticultural techniques
• A keen interest in, and ideally experience of, nursery work
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and as part of a team
• Good verbal communication skills
• A full, clean driving licence (essential)
• A professional, enthusiastic approach and pride in your work

Desirable:

• Experience driving a range of vehicles
• PA1, PA2 and PA6 spraying certificates
• RHS Level 2 or equivalent qualification
• NPTC CS30 and CS31 chainsaw certificates

Salary and benefits

• Salary up to £30,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• 25 days annual leave (up to 5 days taken at Christmas)
• Public holidays during term time worked, with time off in lieu
• 50% contribution towards the school’s private health scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discount on school fees
• Discount at a local nursery in Uppingham
• Westfield Healthcare and Westfield Rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• In‑house Occupational Health Service
• Membership to the dual‑use Sports Centre (annual joining fee applies)
• Free staff lunches during term time
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Complimentary staff ticket for selected school performances
• Cycle to Work scheme

Uppingham School is recognised as a Disability Confident Employer, Mindful Employer, and Investor in Diversity.

Safeguarding

Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to adhere to the School’s Safeguarding Policy and report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Uppingham School is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcomes applications from anyone who feels they could fulfil the role.

You may have experience in the following: Skilled Gardener, Gardener, Estate Gardener, Groundskeeper, Grounds Maintenance Operative, Horticulturalist, Nursery Gardener, Grounds Technician, Landscape Gardener, Garden Maintenance Assistant
 
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