Gardener (with Nursery Experience) Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is a leading co-educational independent boarding school. Its 800 pupils, aged 11-18, are accommodated in 15 boarding houses, taught by over 20 academic departments, and participate in numerous extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, and drama. The academic programme is supported by business units responsible for marketing, estates, finance, human resources, IT, catering, cleaning, health and safety, and the schools trading subsidiary. The school employs almost 600 staff and operates seven days a week during term-time. Uppingham is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcomes applications from anyone who feels they could fulfil the role. Job Purpose The schools extensive gardens cover approximately 40 acres interspersed amongst teaching and administrative buildings and the 15 boarding houses. The team strives to achieve National Trust standards and RHS quality, through the maintenance, development and improvement of ornamental, mixed and herbaceous beds and borders; hard and soft landscaped areas; pots and planters both seasonally and permanently planted and surrounded by ornamental lawns and grassed areas. The school possesses numerous mature trees and a constantly developing arboretum. We are looking for a committed, experienced and passionate gardener with strong knowledge to assist in the maintenance, development and improvement of the schools extensive gardens, by producing high-quality work that creates excellent visual impact for pupils, parents, visitors, staff and the Uppingham community to enjoy. You will also support in designing, growing and planting of both the towns and the schools floral displays, for the Uppingham and Britain in Bloom competitions. Your accountabilities Produce and oversee a high-quality finish in all assigned duties. Take responsibility for checking, managing and maintaining, all surrounding areas whilst at an assigned place of work. Work in many varying locations around the school, independently or as part of a team. Be responsible for self-evaluating and managing work produced. Be responsible for all machinery and tools whilst in use, reporting any faults or issues. Be responsible for the Health and Safety of yourself and others around you. Use the estate teams computer aided management tools to manage workflow and jobs. Communicate effectively with the Gardens Manager, Deputy Gardens Manager, Team Leader and colleagues. Skills and experience Experience in all horticultural operations, in a commercially paced environment. It will be very advantageous if the successful candidate has some nursery experience and have a keen interest in this area, as this will be a main area of responsibility for the successful applicant. Good verbal communication and the ability to listen and respond well to verbal instruction. Be able to demonstrate Good plant knowledge. Good basic horticultural techniques using hand tools and horticultural machinery. Good eye for attention and detail Professional passion and pride Ability to Be decisive and confident in own skills and ability. Self-motivate, self-evaluate and show initiative. Work alone, with minimum supervision or as part of a team. Work at a commercial pace and in a clean, efficient and logical manner. Experience in driving a wide range of vehicles (desirable) Willing to work as part of a team Full driving licence* (essential) PA1, PA2 and PA6 spraying certificates (desirable). RHS level 2 or equivalent (desirable). NPTC CS30 and CS31 Chainsaw Certificate (desirable). * A full clean driving licence is essential. This position involves driving vehicles around the schools estate. Any offer of employment will therefore be conditional upon the successful candidate being accepted for insurance cover by the schools insurance provider. Whilst every application will be considered on its own merits, successful applicants should note that if they have six or more penalty points on their driving licence, or a previous drink-driving conviction, they may not be accepted for cover by the schools insurers, in which case any offer of employment would be withdrawn. Salary: up to £30,000 per annum, dependant on experience. Benefits: 50% contribution to premiums for the Schools 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. Safeguarding and Child Protection The post-holders responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact, will be to adhere to and always ensure compliance with the Schools Safeguarding (child protection) Policy. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the Schools Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or to the Headmaster. You may have experience of the following: Horticultural Technician, Grounds and Gardens Specialist, Estate Gardener, Nursery Horticulturist, Grounds Maintenance Operative, Landscape Gardener, Plant Nursery Assistant, Garden Technician, Landscape Maintenance Worker. REF-227 057