An exciting opportunity has arisen for a hands-on Head Gardener to join an established and supportive Maintenance team at a prestigious independent school in Hertfordshire.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for the day-to-day care, management, and development of the school’s gardens and grounds, which are maintained to a high standard to provide an attractive, safe, and welcoming environment for pupils, staff, parents, and visitors throughout the year.

The Head Gardener will work in a practical, hands-on capacity while leading and supervising a small team of two gardeners. The role involves planning and delivering the annual horticultural and grounds maintenance programme, ensuring all work is completed efficiently and to a consistently high standard. A strong focus will be placed on creating and maintaining high-quality seasonal displays and landscaped areas that enhance the overall appearance of the school site. Duties will include a wide range of horticultural tasks such as weeding, pruning, planting, mulching, lawn care, hedge and shrub maintenance, and the ongoing improvement of landscaped areas. The role also involves the safe operation and basic maintenance of horticultural machinery and equipment, adapting work schedules to suit seasonal and weather-dependent demands, and working closely with the wider estates and maintenance team as required.

Applicants should have previous experience in horticulture, ideally gained within a large, high-profile, or similarly demanding environment. Relevant horticultural qualifications would be advantageous, including NPTC PA1 and PA6a pesticide certificates and an NVQ in Amenity Horticulture or an equivalent qualification. A full UK driving licence is essential, with Category C1 or equivalent being desirable. The ability to manage a changing workload, combined with a flexible, proactive, and organised approach, is essential for success in this role.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and the successful applicant will be required to undergo child protection screening and safer recruitment checks appropriate to the post. This will include checks with previous employers and a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The position is full-time, working 40 hours per week Monday to Friday. The role includes generous holiday entitlement and access to a contributory pension scheme.

SALARY:        £37,500 Circa depending on experience

LOCATION:   Hertfordshire

JOB No:          EC71246

If this vacancy is of interest, please click ‘Apply for job’ below or contact Jay Rimell on 01233 733510 or email info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

To apply for this role you will need a Candidate Registration.

To find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: head gardener, Hertfordshire, independent school jobs