The school is situated in the Kent market town of Sevenoaks and has a prime position at the top of the high street. The 100-acre site, which includes several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole. London is only a 30-minute train ride away and the school is in commutable distance from several Kent towns including Orpington, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Kings Hill and Dartford.
The Role
The Estates department is looking for a qualified and self-motivated, fast-working and efficient Gardener. This is a varied role which will involve assisting with the maintenance and development of the gardens and grounds on all school sites.
Reporting to
This role reports to the Head of Gardens, with day-to-day oversight from the Senior Gardener.
Main Duties & Key Responsibilities
To work within the gardens team to maintain and develop all outside areas of the school utilising the following skills:
- Planting, pruning and maintenance of trees, hedges, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
- All aspects of lawn maintenance using pedestrian and ride-on machinery.
- Keep pathways clear of litter and debris.
- Snow clearing and gritting when required
- Aid in the maintenance of ponds, fences, walls, paths and patios where possible.
- Periodically assist the Grounds team in maintaining the sports facilities in the school.
- Undertake other duties that are required and are commensurate with the grade of the post
- Heavy lifting, at times, when required (manual handling training will be provided).
- Working at height will occasionally be required (the appropriate training will be provided).
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive statement of procedures and responsibilities, but instead sets out the principal expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.
We are looking for an individual who is adaptable, flexible and willing to carry out the wide range of duties that are likely to be required to make a success of this role.
Personal Specification
The successful applicant must be able to:
- Work on your own and as part of a team.
- Use own initiative.
- Self-motivate.
- Be adaptable and able to undertake tasks within given time constraints.
- Always work in a safe and tidy manner.
- The successful candidates must be willing to adhere to all departmental and school policies, especially with regard to health & safety.
Special Role Requirements
- Will be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- At times the role may require heavy lifting.
- Will be required to use machinery e.g., hedge cutters, strimmers, lawn mowers, tractors etc.
Experience & Qualities
Previous experience of working in a school is not a requirement but would be advantageous.
This role is for a qualified gardener. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate that they have:
- The appropriate NVQ level 3 qualification in Horticulture.
- A full driving licence.
- Proven previous experience in maintaining large or historical gardens.
Note
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive statement of procedures and responsibilities, but instead sets out the principle expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties. We are looking for an individual who is adaptable, flexible and willing to carry out the wide range of duties that are likely to be required to make a success of this role.
Hours
This is a full-time role, the basic hours are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 07:00 – 15:00 all year round, although flexibility in these working hours will be required to meet the demands of the role during peak times.
Salary
Based on the hours above, the salary will be around £33,233.98 per year.
Benefits
- Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum, increasing to 30 days per annum after 3 years of service (excluding bank holidays)
- School lunch
- Free parking (subject to availability)
- Membership of the school’s defined contribution pension scheme is available
- Cycle to work scheme
- Membership of the school’s fitness centre
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free or reduced price tickets to events in The Space, our Performing Arts Centre
- Sevenoaks School Savers voluntary benefit scheme
- Fee remission policy (terms apply)
Child Protection
All staff have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact and are required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, a member of staff becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must immediately report their concerns to the Deputy Head (Pastoral).
Offer Conditions
Sevenoaks School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, therefore, the offer of employment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including but not limited to an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List check, the taking up and verification of references and the verification of career history and fitness to undertake the role. The complete list of required checks will be provided to the successful candidate.
Health & Safety
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation, the school is obliged to provide you with a workplace and working conditions which so far as is reasonably practicable, are safe and without risk to health. You are required by health and safety legislation to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for the health and safety of others.
Application
If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete the online support staff application form.
The closing date for applications is 29/10/2026 at 23:59.
The form must be completed in full and submitted electronically. CVs can also be submitted but cannot replace any information on the application form, which should be submitted in full.
Applications will be reviewed on a daily basis and interviews may occur at any stage. The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage of the recruitment process. We therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible rather than working to the closing date.
At Sevenoaks School our mission is to ensure that students secure their full potential. We prepare young people for life in a modern, global society and seek to provide every student with excellent role models. Having a diverse staff enhances our school community and we warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Please contact the Human Resources Office at humanresources@sevenoaksschool.org or by telephone on 01732 467740 if you have any questions about a completed application.
