Gardener
Full time
Permanent
up to £30,000 per annum dependent on experience
Uppingham School is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic Gardener with nursery experience
to join its professional Gardens Team and help maintain and develop its gardens to RHS-quality standard.
Set across approximately 40 acres, Uppingham’s gardens are interwoven throughout the school and historic town, featuring ornamental and herbaceous borders, specimen trees, lawns, containers, seasonal displays, and a developing arboretum. The team works to very high standards, taking pride in high-quality horticulture that is enjoyed by pupils, staff, visitors, and the wider community.
The Role
Reporting to the Gardens Manager, you will contribute to the day today care, enhancement, and presentation of the school’s gardens, with a key responsibility for the inhouse nursery. This includes propagation, growing-on, and plant care within purpose-built polytunnels, supplying plants for use across the estate. You will also assist with the planning, growing, and planting of seasonal floral displays, including those for Uppingham in Bloom and Britain in Bloom.
Key Responsibilities
* Managing and working within the school’s inhouse nursery
* Maintenance of borders, shrubs, trees, lawns, and seasonal planting
* Pruning, hedge cutting, lawn care, and general garden maintenance
* Hard and soft landscaping tasks
* Safe operation and care of horticultural tools and machinery
* Working independently and as part of a skilled, supportive team
About You
You will have experience working in a professional horticultural or estate environment, with:
* Strong practical horticultural skills and good plant knowledge
* Nursery or propagation experience (or a keen interest in this area)
* High standards of workmanship and attention to detail
* A proactive, reliable approach and ability to work at a commercial pace
* A full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
* Desirable: RHS Level 2 (or equivalent), PA1/PA2/PA6, NPTC chainsaw certificates.
What We Offer
* Salary up to £30,000 per annum, depending on experience
* 39-hour working week, Monday to Friday
* 25 days’ annual leave, plus time off in lieu where applicable
* Generous pension and healthcare benefits
* Free staff lunches in term time and use of sports facilities
When you join us, you become part of a community that appreciates and supports its team members. You will enjoy a range of benefits that reflects our appreciation:
* 50% contribution to premiums for the School’s private health scheme
* Free Westfield Healthcare
* Free membership of dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee)
* Free staff lunches in term-time
* School fee discount for children of Uppingham staff (pro-rated for part-time staff)
* Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Occupational Health Services
* Free annual flu jabs
* Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
* Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
* Favourable rates and terms with local nursery
* Complimentary staff ticket to selected School performances
* Discount at local coffee shop for Uppingham staff.
For further details and to apply please click the apply button.
Closing date: 15 th May 2026.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we have received an adequate number of applications therefore, we encourage early submissions.
Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.