This role is responsible for maintaining and preparing sports facilities to a high independent school standard, with a particular specialism in cricket pitch preparation and performance. The postholder will support year-round sports surface management while leading on the delivery of high-quality cricket squares and outfields capable of supporting intensive school use and competitive fixtures.
Responsibilities include:
Sports Pitch Preparation & Maintenance
- Prepare and maintain rugby, football, cricket, and hockey pitches to a high-performance school and competition standard.
- Carry out mowing, line marking, aeration, overseeding, top dressing, fertilising, and turf repairs.
- Monitor surface performance and adapt maintenance programmes to manage heavy school and fixture usage.
- Manage pitch rotation and usage schedules to maximise surface longevity and playing quality.
Cricket Pitch Preparation (Specialism)
- Lead on the preparation and maintenance of cricket squares and outfields, delivering surfaces to a high school and competitive standard, with ambition towards county-level quality where appropriate.
- Prepare wickets through rolling, cutting, marking, and surface management techniques.
- Set out and mark cricket pitches to required specifications for matches and training.
- Protect cricket surfaces from adverse weather using covers, sheeting, and proactive planning.
- Monitor pitch performance and contribute to continuous improvement of cricket surface quality.
- Support long-term cricket square development programmes, including renovation and end-of-season recovery.
Seasonal Turf Management
- Deliver winter renovation and recovery programmes including deep aeration, overseeding, and surface restoration.
- Assist with summer preparation of cricket squares, outfields, and athletics areas.
- Implement drainage and irrigation strategies to maintain safe playing conditions.
- Monitor turf health, pest control, disease management, and soil condition.
Grounds & Estate Sports Facilities Maintenance
- Maintain sports grounds, practice areas, and surrounding landscapes to a high standard.
- Assist in landscaping and presentation of sports and garden areas in line with estate plans.
- Ensure all facilities are safe, clean, and visually aligned with the College’s standards.
Match, Event & Stakeholder Support
- Prepare pitches and facilities for fixtures, tournaments, training sessions, and external lettings.
- Set up markings, equipment, and safety checks prior to use.
- Liaise with sports staff and other stakeholders to ensure facilities meet requirements.
- Support delivery of high-quality surfaces for internal and external users, including potential representative fixtures.
- Assist with post-event repairs and surface recovery.
Machinery & Equipment
- Operate specialised sports turf machinery including mowers, aerators, tractors, rollers, and marking equipment.
- Maintain tools and equipment, reporting faults and ensuring safe operation.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Adhere to Health & Safety policies and safe working practices at all times.
- Conduct risk assessments and ensure safe use of machinery, fertilisers, and treatments.
- Use appropriate PPE and maintain compliance with environmental and sustainability standards.
Continuous Improvement & Team Contribution
- Contribute ideas to improve working practices, machinery utilisation, and pitch performance.
- Support and mentor less experienced team members where appropriate.
- Maintain and develop professional knowledge in sports turf and cricket pitch preparation.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in sports turf maintenance, with specific experience in cricket pitch preparation.
- Strong knowledge of fine turf management and sports surface preparation.
- Experience operating a wide range of grounds maintenance machinery.
- Understanding of turf performance, drainage, and seasonal maintenance programmes.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
Qualifications
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Sports Turf Management or equivalent (essential or working towards).
- PA1 & PA6 Pesticide Application Certificates (desirable).
- First Aid qualification (desirable).
- Full Driving Licence (desirable).
Personal Attributes
- Strong work ethic and pride in maintaining high-quality sports facilities.
- Passion for school sport (particularly cricket) and supporting pupil development through excellent playing environments.
- Reliable, proactive, and flexible approach to workload and seasonal demands.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to professional development and best practice in sports turf management.
The responsibilities listed are not exhaustive, and the postholder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties as required to support the efficient operation of the Grounds and Gardens department.
Hours: During term time (34 weeks of the year), your standard working week will be 45 hours. These will be scheduled on a rota between Monday and Saturday. In the Autumn and Spring terms, your hours will fall between 07:00 and 18:30. In the Summer term, this may extend to 20:00. Outside of term time, your working week is 40 hours.
Because of the nature of the role, some flexibility is required to support fixtures and events. Your work pattern, including any evening or weekend work, will be set by the Head of Grounds and Gardens through a rota provided with reasonable notice. Any overtime must be approved in advance.
Candidates to complete an application form which can be downloaded via our website. To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs will not be accepted. Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure policy on the College website. Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and appointment may occur at any stage after applications are received.
