Job Description

Ipswich School

Suffolk

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

20 October 2025

Apply by:

25 September 2025

Job overview

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IPSWICH SCHOOL

GROUNDSPERSON (SPORTS TURF / HORTICULTURE)

Full time, permanent, required as soon as possible

Please contact Syd Townsend, Grounds Manager, on 07935342660 for an informal discussion or more information about this post.

THE SCHOOL

Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 130 schools in the country and is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399, moving to our present site in 1852.

The original buildings stand in front of fine modern classrooms, science laboratories and an award-winning sports hall. These, together with the School Library and performing arts centre, face the School Field. There are further extensive playing fields within easy walking distance and our Sports Centre, with further grass pitches and sand-dressed artificial pitches for hockey and netball, is based at Rushmere. Our Westwood Boarding House, just five minutes' walk away on Constitution Hill, is set in wooded grounds, and our Anglesea Heights Boarding House is located adjacent to the Senior School.

THE POST

The School benefits from a dedicated team of Estates staff who work to maintain and continually improve the School's buildings and grounds. We are looking for a keen, enthusiastic person who will take pride in ensuring the School always looks its best. We offer a range of sports (including hockey, rugby, cricket, netball, tennis, football and athletics).

You will assist in maintaining our sports pitches and grounds to a very high standard. You will be able to work independently as well as in a small team, and be responsible, positive in your approach, willing and flexible and able to get on well with others.

You will primarily be based at the Senior School (located on Henley Road) and our Notcutts (Senior School) Sports Field, which is located nearby, but you will be required to work at other school sites on a regular basis to ensure that the School's grounds are kept in excellent order at all times. You will be working with the Grounds Manager to ensure that all sports pitches and grounds are prepared and ready for use throughout the year.

An annualised hours contract (total 1950 hours) is in operation to ensure that the School runs smoothly (which will mean longer days on some occasions such as throughout the Cricket season, and shorter days on others, and will be directed by the Grounds Manager). You are likely to be required to work between the following hours. These timings may change to reflect seasonal requirements:

Summer working hours (from around the beginning of April to around the end of September) as required during the hours of 7.00am -5:00pm, Monday to Sunday.
Winter working hours (from around the beginning of October to around the end of March) as required during the hours of 8:00am - 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Occasional evening and weekend work

BENEFITS

Your starting salary will be competitive and will depend on your skills and experience, and can be discussed during the application process.

You will be entitled to 28 working days' paid holiday per year, including public holidays. One extra day's holiday may be taken for each completed 2 years' of service, up to a maximum of 5 extra days. This brings the total holiday allowance up to 33 days after 10 years' service.

You will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme (with 10% employer contributions), and you will benefit from 3x salary death in service cover.

Staff are able to use the School's swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations)

You will have access to Smarthealth, the School's wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support.

After 3+ years' service, support staff are eligible for staff fee remission.

Free lunch is provided during term time in the School Dining Hall when the kitchen is in operation.

APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Completed application forms, which are available at https://www.ipswich.school/vacancies or by contacting HR on 01473 408300 / hr@ipswich.school should be returned by noon on 23 September 2025. Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential and send to: The Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or email: hr@ipswich.school

Candidates may be contacted or invited to interview prior to the closing date, and we may close this vacancy early if suitable candidates apply. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible. Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.

PLEASE NOTE

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Recruiter contact:

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About

Ipswich School

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Ipswich School

Henley Road, Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3SG
United Kingdom

+44 1473 408300

Ipswich School is one of the leading independent schools in the area. It has a long history dating back to at least 1399 and is known for its academic success, without being an educational 'hot house', its extensive sport, drama and music activities and its commitment to the local community.



Pupils at the school come from a really broad range of backgrounds, and this makes the school different to many others in the independent sector. The atmosphere is very positive and pupils really do get on well with each other and with teachers. Behaviour in lessons is first class and teachers are able to focus fully on their teaching and pupils' learning without having to spend time and effort keeping everyone in order.



Those applying for teaching posts in the Senior School will find that class sizes are generally smaller than in the maintained sector, with Lower School classes typically being around 20, Middle School can be a little larger or smaller depending on subjects - but are never larger than 24. A Level classes in the Sixth Form are typically have around 10 - 12 students, with 15 students being the upper limit.



Teachers are well supported by Heads of Department and there is a first-class CPD programme in place which not only provides the latest on class room practice, but also involves a range of optional social events. Additional training is also available for all teachers.



For those looking at Prep School posts they will find wonderful purpose-built classrooms in a state-of-the-art Prep School building, small class sizes - typically around 15 in the Lower Prep and between 18 and 25 in the Upper Prep. They will also find parents are very supportive and keen to develop the potential in their children.



Those applying for support staff posts will feel themselves very much part of a community alongside teaching staff. There is a well-refined CPD programme for, great opportunities for development and a fantastic range of benefits.



There are regular opportunities for all staff to get together socially. Recently staff events include drawing sessions, gin and wine tasting, wreath making at Christmas and a summer BBQ.



Facilities throughout the school are excellent with a brand new Music School, the extensive Ipswich School Sports Centre at nearby Rushmere, a specially-built Prep School and a day nursery - The Lodge.



There is free car parking on site for teachers and support staff (though this can be a little tight at times in the Senior School) and a range of other benefits.



Supporting the community is one of the school's core values. The school has a significant community programme with pupils visiting local care homes giving music and drama performances, pupils growing vegetables and giving them to a local charity, local primary schools taking part in our annual Festival of Music and a large pupil-led termly fundraising programme.



Please have a look at our current vacancies listed here.

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