Deputy Groundskeeper

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Deputy Groundskeeper to join our Grounds Team based at Hilsea Playing Fields. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the maintenance and development of high-quality sports facilities that support the school's extensive sporting and lettings programmes.

Working as part of a small, professional team and reporting to the Head Groundskeeper and Hilsea Site Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining sports pitches and grounds to a high standard, assisting with planned maintenance projects, and supporting future site improvements. The role also includes occasional support at the school's main site.

We welcome applications from both:

Individuals looking to progress a career in grounds maintenance and sports turf management; and

Experienced grounds professionals with relevant qualifications and specialist skills.

Key Requirements

• Team player with strong organisational and time-management skills.

• Ability to prioritise tasks and work effectively under direction.

• Self-motivated, reliable and flexible in responding to operational needs.

• Willingness to undertake training and professional development

• Professional and approachable manner when interacting with staff, pupils, parents and visitors

Working Hours

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week), working Monday to Friday, with normal working hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm. Flexibility is required to support sporting events, lettings, site security and occasional additional weekend or evening working to meet operational requirements. The standard working day is 7.5 hours to include a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak.

Outside of term time, there will be the opportunity to agree variations to the working pattern to meet operational requirements and support work-life balance. Time off in lieu will be provided where appropriate.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience, qualifications, and skills.

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

• Opportunity to develop specialist groundskeeping expertise within a leading independent school.

• Supporting working environment within a respected and successful educational institution

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply using the online MyNewTerm application form linked to our advert on the 'Work With Us' page of our school website.

Any enquiries about the role or how to apply are welcome at View email address on tes.com

The closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Wednesday 30th September 2026 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site in the week commencing 5th October 2026 or soon after. Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to interview and appoint in advance of the closing date.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.