Head Groundsman

Full-time

Candidate Brief

Bradford Grammar SchoolBradford Grammar School is one of the oldest and most respected institutions inBradford, tracing its roots back to 1548. Recognised as a beacon of educationalexcellence, the School achieves exceptional public examination results.

Summer 2018 saw outstanding A Level results with 17% of all exams awarded A* and54% A*/A grades, compared with 26.4 per cent nationally. One hundred and twenty sixtalented students picked up their GCSE results, as the school celebrated another rise intop grades. Five pupils went onto Oxford and Cambridge. A record-breaking 76% of allexams taken were awarded A/A* or 9-7 grades, well over three times higher than thenational average of recent years (Pupils at BGS take a mixture of IGCSEs and GCSEs,graded either 9-1 or A*-G). The A/A* / 9-7 cumulative pass rate was the highest ever atBradford Grammar School and A*ABC was 99%.

We are also the most successful independent school in West Yorkshire at A Level and ASwith the highest university admission points. Last year, a record-breaking 76 per cent ofall GCSE candidates were awarded Grades 7, 8 or 9 (or their A and A* equivalents) – wellin excess of three times the national average.

At the same time, the School places a premium on nurturing well-rounded, interestingand decent young people who are actively engaged in various interests outside of theclassroom. Sport and the creative arts are flourishing; the Duke of Edinburgh's Award andvolunteering projects remain popular. Academic success is celebrated, but there is farmore to life at Bradford Grammar School than exam results.

The School reflects the diversity of its host city, welcoming children from many differentbackgrounds, faiths and cultures. Parents and the wider community value this strengthwithin the School, regarding it as an invaluable preparation for the world that childrenwill encounter in their later lives. Creating a sense of community is hugely important forthe School. Relationships with local schools and the local council are also excellent.

The School moved to its current 25-acre site in Frizinghall in 1949 and it has continuallyinvested in the campus since that time. Facilities are outstanding, including well-equipped laboratories and teaching rooms, sports hall, 25m swimming pool, sportspavilion, all-weather sports pitch, squash and tennis courts, a refurbished dining hall,recording studio, music auditorium, a dedicated sixth-form centre, a new three-storeyscience/social science faculty building, state-of-the-art library, a theatre and one of thefinest assembly halls in the UK. All the buildings are maintained to a very high standard,and all of this has been accomplished without incurring debt as the School’s financialposition is extremely strong. Governance of the School has been consistently excellentsince independence in 1975.

Bradford Grammar School was named the ‘The Sunday Times Northern IndependentSecondary School of the Year 2018’ in November 2017 in The Sunday Times SchoolsGuide 2018.

“Bradford Grammar is in a good place, combining strong academic performance with acaring culture that encourages all students to excel in their chosen field, both within andoutside the classroom. The school explicitly puts pupils’ happiness at the centre of what itdoes. In an age of growing fears about the pressures put on children to succeed, thisenlightened approach helps BGS stand out from the crowd. It’s a deserving winner of ouraward.”

Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times, Parent Power

A richly cosmopolitan district, Bradford combines areas undergoing urban regenerationwith areas of considerable affluence, the latter especially in the Wharfe Valley. It is also adistrict with considerable entrepreneurial spirit. In recent times, Bradford has undergonesignificant city-centre redevelopment. The city is home to two successful higher andfurther educational institutions – the University of Bradford and Bradford College. Thereare strong sporting and cultural highlights, including the award-winning National Scienceand Media Museum, the nearby Bradford City FC, Bradford Bulls RLFC, Salem RUFC, BenRhydding Hockey Club, Ilkley Tennis Club, the Alhambra Theatre and St George’s Hallwhich host a wide range of concert performances.

With excellent road and rail links, including a station served by the Airedale andWharfedale lines within a five-minute walk, the School benefits from a large catchmentarea across West Yorkshire. Fifty-seven per cent of pupils have homes with Bradfordpostcodes (this includes the Aire Valley and Skipton) with the remaining 43 per centhaving Leeds (primarily Ilkley, Adel and Horsforth), Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefieldpostcodes.

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The Role

Job Purpose

• To ensure the grounds and gardens of the school are maintained to a high standard and in good condition for school use.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Operational

• Operate equipment and vehicles as necessary to ensure proper maintenance of the site

• Maintenance and upkeep of the Grounds storage area and yard

• Implementing a weed control programme to areas such as paving and surrounding areas.

• Regular monitoring of all pitches for prevention of disease.

• Management of gritting procedure on the training ground car park and entrance in the event of freezing weather. Areas also to be gritted and prepared in advance of pupil’s staff and visitors arriving for work.

• Maintenance of the 3G pitch facility

• Assist with the preparation of improvement plans for the grounds and gardens

• Assist with site security as requested

• Assist with the programmed maintenance of the grounds and gardens by reporting damage and breakages to the Estates Services Supervisor

General

• Liaise with the sports department over the use of grounds and pitches

• Compliance with all necessary health, safety environmental and COSHH requirements

• Regular monitoring of weather forecast

• Dealing with appropriate contractors

• Management of contracts relating to machinery maintenance etc.

• Line manage a team of 2 grounds staff, including but not limited to day to day management, issuing daily work schedules and conducting annual staff appraisals

Administration

• Preparation of annual report to the Estates Manager in respect of annual pitch renovation proposals each summer, including proposal of works required to each pitch/area in line with the School’s budgets.

• Ensuring the machinery and asset registers and service records are kept fully up to date.

• Accurate record keeping including, but not limited to, fertilizer applications, aeration procedures, fungicide treatments etc.

• Raising purchase orders as and when required.

• Undertaking such other duties as may be requested from time to time commensurate with the level of this post.

• All roles within the School carry the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

The Person

• Previous experience of grounds management

• NVQ Level 3 Sports Turf Maintenance qualified or equivalent

• Pesticide spraying PA1 and PA6 (desirable)

• Excellent organisational skills

• Good prioritising skills

• Flexibility

• Ability to interpret and relay key information

• Good listening and communication skills

• Appointed first aider (desirable, but not essential)

What we offer

The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive package including:

• Excellent salary

• Membership of a workplace pension scheme if eligible

• Onsite accommodation available dependent on candidates location

• Salary sacrifice schemes for :o Cycle to Worko Pension

• Employee Discount Platform

• Free parking

• Free school meals during term time

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Private Medical Insurance and Health Cash Plans at cost

• 31 days holiday (including Bank Holidays) increasing to 36 days after 5 years’ service.

How to applyAll candidates should complete the online application form, including a personal statementoutlining how they meet the requirements for the role. CVs cannot be accepted. Theclosing date for completed applications is 12 Noon on Monday 11 February 2019.

To apply online please click here

Please read the safer recruitment document thoroughly by clicking on the link below

Self Disclosure Form

To provide false information is an offence and may result in your application being rejectedor summary dismissal, if already appointed.

Selection for interview will be undertaken by a panel. Each panel member will assess whichcandidates most closely meet the necessary experience and skills criteria for the role. Atleast one member of the interview panel will hold a current Safer Recruitment Certificate.

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