Gardener
If you are an experienced and passionate gardener with a love for plants and possess a good knowledge of horticultural operations, then Uppingham School has an exciting opportunity for you!
Joining our Gardens team, you will work on our large estate with extensive gardens and a wide variety of plants, shrubs and landscaped areas. This includes an arboretum (approx. 8 acres), along with 15 unique and varied gardens from English woodland to modern contemporary style, as well as 3 large communal garden areas with wide and varied planting schemes. Certain gardens at Uppingham have been designed by 6 times Chelsea gold medal winning Robert Myers.
Uppingham’s Gardens team strives to achieve National Trust standards and RHS quality. To attain this standard, you will assist the team in the maintenance, development and improvement of the school’s extensive gardens, producing high-quality work that creates an excellent visual impact for pupils, parents, visitors, staff and the Uppingham community to enjoy. You will also assist with the designing, growing and planting of both the town’s and the school’s large floral displays, for Uppingham in Bloom and the Britain in Bloom competitions. The town are the current holders of 8 gold medals.
You will be a knowledgeable and committed gardener, providing experience in horticultural operations, whilst also demonstrating proficiency and good basic horticultural techniques when using hand tools and horticultural machinery. Excellent verbal communication skills as well as the ability to respond well to verbal instruction is essential, including a will to work as part of a team, in a fun but fast paced environment.
A wide variety of city and guilds/Lantra training will be given to the successful candidate. The work is varied and can include tree surgery and hard and soft landscaping projects. A full driving license is desirable.
Working hours are 39 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Normal hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 3:30pm on a Friday, with 2 half an hour breaks during the day.
In return Uppingham offers a community that values people. We are warm, compassionate and mutually supportive. This is reflected in our working environment and the benefits we are able to offer:
- 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
- 25% Holiday Club discount for children at local Nursery
- Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Occupational Health Services
- Free annual flu jabs
- Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
- Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
- Recognised as “Investors in Diversity”
For further details on this role and to apply please click the apply button.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19th February 2024 at 09:00am.
Interviews will take place Monday 26th February 2024.
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.
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here
For more gardener roles please click here
