Groundsperson

Groundsperson 

Location: Tokers Green, Reading 
Salary: £25,729.60 - £26,436.80 per year depending on experience 
Contract: Full time permanent position.
Hours: 40 hours per week, 6am - 3pm  (part time hours considered 6am -10am) 
Start date: As soon as possible

Aurora Rowan School

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Rowan School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire opened in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach.

We are a passionate team that put the opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in their preparation for adult life at the centre of all we do and our decision making.

We are looking for team members who feel they can demonstrate our values. 

Staff at Aurora Rowan:

• Value all the children.
• Display great patience and listen carefully to children.
• Focus on and emphasise the positive.
• Face reality and help pupils to come to terms with difficult issues as they arise
• Only disapprove of poor behaviour, never the child.
• Try to make time for one another.
• Are mutually supportive.
• Speak quietly and avoid shouting.
• Are valued by the governors and the community.
• Have a good sense of humour.

In order for the school’s purpose to be effective and for the values to be meaningful to the pupils, the staff understand that the basic needs of children are:

• To feel secure and know clearly what is expected of them.
• To be valued.
• To have a balance of activities – active/passive; quiet/talking; communicating/reflective; taught skills/exploratory work.
• To have help to develop relationships.
• To develop self-awareness and a knowledge of the world outside of themselves.
• To have creative experiences, including external exploration and internal reflection.
• To be fully involved in the process of education.

Opportunity 

We are currently looking to recruit a Groundsperson to join our expanding team and work alongside the Site Manager to ensure that the external areas of the site are maintained to the highest possible standard, ensuring that all relevant health and safety legislation and company procedures are adhered to.

Key Duties 

• Ensuring all grass areas are mowed regularly and grass is kept to a reasonable length.
• Strimming back overgrowth around the site.
• Trimming hedges and bushes, keeping them tidy and safe at all times, paying attention to nesting seasons and wildlife protection legislation.
• Maintaining grounds maintenance equipment and liaising with suppliers and finance colleagues for servicing by external parties where necessary.
• Maintaining clear gutters and drains across the site.
• Clearing rubbish from the external areas and emptying bins where necessary.
• Removing weeds and managing weed-killing routines in accordance with regulations and manufacturers’ instructions on safe use.
• Leaf-clearing and removal/destruction across the site.
• Gritting pathways and drives in conjunction with the rest of the maintenance team in winter months.
• Maintaining fences, including repairs and paint/treatment.
• Supporting the rest of the maintenance team with any other applicable duties, including painting and decorating and general site maintenance.
• Any other task applicable to the scope and responsibility of the role

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of the school when required, Please see the link below for our full job description:

Job Description - Groundsperson

Skills:

• Ability to work well in a team and on own initiative
• Demonstrable attention to detail and pride in work
• Organised and able to prioritise own workload
• Ability to be flexible

Knowledge:

• Understanding of safe working principles and Health and Safety legislation
• COSHH – safe use of chemicals
• Weed-spraying licence – desirable but not essential
• Understanding impact of works on wildlife and adjustments required (nesting season and protected species)
• Electrical safety
• First Aid Certificate – desirable but not essential

Experience

• Experience of maintaining grounds in a similar role (Essential)
• Mechanical experience or experience undertaking basic machine maintenance (Essential)
• Experience of working within a school and/or special needs environment (Desirable)

What we Offer

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme 
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

How to apply

Ready to make a difference? Apply online by completing our online application form.  For more information on this position please contact Liz liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability and equal opportunities employer.

Closing Date: The role will remain open until it is filled - Please apply early as we may close the role when we have a suitable level of interest. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.