Lancing College

Appointment of a

Grounds and Gardens Manager

The College

The College stands in an impressive downland estate of some 550 acres, which includes playing fields, residential properties, and an educational farm. The distinguished Victorian buildings, including the spectacular chapel that was begun in 1868, are a familiar south coast landmark. The nineteenth century core has been complemented regularly by new buildings and extensions. Recently a co-educational house, a dance studio, gym and learning support suite have been formed by conversion. There is also investment in funds for scholarships and bursaries, including the Foundationers’ Campaign which funds a number of transformational bursaries annually.

Lancing first admitted Sixth Form girls in the 1970s and moved to full co-education in 2000. The College’s modern history is one of evolution from an almost wholly boarding community to a mixed boarding and day school with an intake of local, national and international pupils: a proudly cosmopolitan community. In 2002 the governors acquired what has now become Lancing College Preparatory College at which is about five miles away from the College itself. As a result of a further acquisition Broadwater Manor School became Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing in January 2014.

Lancing has a strong history of achievement academically, in the arts, and in a wide variety of sport. There is a modern swimming pool, squash and fives courts, a range of tennis courts and two all-weather surfaces in addition to a newly developed sports and fitness centre and a new Equestrian Centre. Music, drama and art are very strong. The specialist music school is next to the Chapel, which possesses a modern Frobenius organ as well the original Walker instrument. The theatre has recently been re-furbished and a dance studio added to the College’s facilities. The new Art School brings art, photography, sculpture and ceramics under one roof. Extensive work has taken place to re-model the Science Department. The College has a remarkable reputation in the arts. OLs include Sir , , and Sir David Hare who continue a tradition which reaches back to , and other distinguished figures such as Archbishop , Sir , Sir Roy Calne and Sir . The seam of independent thought and a willingness to challenge orthodoxy runs deep.

The College recruits a 13+ (Year 9) entry of approximately 100 and an additional Sixth Form (Year 12) entry of about 50-60 students in any given year. There are ten houses, seven boarding houses (four boys’ and three girls’), and three day houses (one each for boys and girls, and a new co-educational day house from academic year 2018/19). Lancing operates a six day academic week with teaching on Saturday mornings and sports fixtures on Saturday afternoons, and day pupils are expected to engage fully with the life of the boarding community. The College was graded ‘excellent’ in all categories and sub-categories in the recent, 2017 integrated ISI inspection document which can be found here: https://www.lancingcollege.co.uk/lancing-college/about/inspections.

Academic standards are consistently high: A* - B grades at A Level average over 80% for the last ten years and the A* average since 2010 is over 20%.

The College has excellent IT provision. Since September 2013 all pupils have been equipped with a College iPad in addition to an impressively stocked VLE and supportive software.

Each year the College offers several academic scholarships and similar awards for Art, Music, Drama and Sport as well as for All-rounders, all of which may be enhanced by means-tested bursaries.

The Head Master, Mr Dominic Oliver, has been in post since September 2014.

Woodard Schools

The group now consists of some 16 independent schools and is affiliated with a further 27 state, independent, academy and overseas schools. The schools are responsible to the Woodard Corporation for good management but are separately incorporated as charitable companies.

As the Senior School of the Woodard Corporation, Lancing is closely identified with the worship and practice of the Anglican Church and its Catholic tradition. The Eucharist has always been the centre of worship in the Chapel. The College is involved in the work of the Corporation and the Woodard Southern Area Provost is an ex-officio member of the Governing Body. Candidates should be happy to work within this context and to support the Christian life and education of the College.

The Appointment

The College is looking to recruit a full time Grounds & Gardens Manager to manage all aspects of gardening and grounds at the College, the Preparatory Schools at Hove and Worthing and the College Nursery, Little Lancing.

The Grounds & Gardens Department

The Grounds & Gardens Department, under the leadership of the Grounds & Gardens Manager, is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, gardens, playing fields and sports surfaces at all three Schools and the Nursery. The grounds team consist of eight people.

Job Description

Job Title: Grounds & Gardens Manager

Responsible To: Estates Bursar

Department: Grounds & Gardens

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

 To maintain the grounds facilities to the highest possible standard, ensuring that all School and external events and sporting activities are suitably catered for and that the Grounds and Gardens are presentable and fit for purpose.

 To plan the annual Grounds programme of works such as renovation, maintenance, development of pitches and playing fields to ensure they are fit for purpose at all times and this fits with the activities of the three schools: Lancing, Hove and Worthing as well as the Nursery.

 For the gardens to plan work schedules with the Deputy GGM to ensure that all areas are managed and looking their best throughout the year at the three schools; Lancing, Hove and Worthing as well as at Little Lancing. Review areas throughout the year. To manage garden maintenance requirements in staff properties as and when end of tenancy periods occur.

 To lead, manage, motivate and appraise the team of staff, planning works and identifying any development areas that may be required on a one to one basis.

 Support, manage and develop the Deputy GGM.

 To liaise in a friendly and professional manner at all times with a variety of stakeholders; both staff and those external to the College (for instance Lettings customers). Ensure that communication with the Director of Sport and the individual Sports leads is clear and informative at all times.

 To ensure that a consistent high level of attention to Health & Safety is applied to all works. To review, amend and complete Risk Assessments and other H&S related paperwork as required. To ensure that the G&G team are fully competent in H&S compliance related to their job role.

 To manage any contractors that may be required for any works as per the Estates Department contractor policy.

 To manage the Grounds & Gardens operating budgets, ensuring best value and following financial auditing procedures at all times. To propose new ways of working and methods for improvement that will ensure a maximum ‘up’ time of sporting facilities.

 To lead by example and carry out routine gardening and grounds maintenance work of lawns, boarders, hedges, playing surfaces and landscape as required.

 To be proficient in the use, application and maintenance of grounds care equipment and operations including pedestrian and ride on equipment, tractor mounted implements and other associated tasks i.e. playing surface aeration, line marking, divoting, fertilizing, brushing, top dressing, seeding, weeding, watering and general maintenance, renovation and repair of all grass, planted, landscaped and synthetic areas.

 Creating, marking out and setting up of playing surfaces in readiness for lessons and matches.

 To manage the annual tree survey of non-forestry areas onsite. To liaise with consultants, neighbours and staff as required. To manage any works required such as planning, planting, pruning and felling in a fully compliant manner. To maintain full and detailed records in relation to tree risk and to liaise on general tree risk management strategies with the Farm Manager and Estates Bursar. To manage the annual tree maintenance budget.

 To ensure the security of the outbuildings/pavilions/garages where equipment is stored, remembering to unlock and lock at the appropriate times.

 To lead on the management of the principal school boundaries: fences, hedges etc. and to work in conjunction with the Property Manager, Farm Manager, Head of Security as required. Grass verges and road ways also fall under Grounds including all of the woodland areas and the 16 Arce path that runs from the Equestrian Centre to the College.

 To act as point of contact for external lets that are based on the grounds facilities.

 To lead on the implementation of the Winter ‘Snow Plan’, keeping roads and pathways clear of snow and treating with rock salt as and when required.

 To ensure that key calendar days are adequately staffed; Founders Day, Open Days as well as Saturday sports fixtures.

 Attendance at SSMT and Health & Safety Committee Meetings as required.

 To undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by the Estates Bursar or Bursar.

Training

The Grounds & Garden Manager may, from time to time, be required to undergo training relevant to their role or related functions. Such training may be residential. The cost of the training and reasonable expenses must be approved in advance by the Estates Bursar.

Competences Required/Desirable

Experience  Thorough understanding of, and experience of all aspects of the role  Programing of works  Previous supervisory/team leader experience  Experience of cricket wicket preparation, as well as other sports pitch markings  Experience of working within a school environment  Experience of budget management  Trained in the use of a range of grounds and gardens maintenance equipment  Previous experience of providing a high quality gardening and grounds service Skills  Ability to communicate effectively with team and management colleagues  Full clean driving licence is essential for this role  Experience and knowledge of Health & Safety documentation and risk assessments  Numerate and Computer Literate (Word, Excel & Outlook) Qualifications  Good basic education  NVQ2 in Amenity Horticulture  PA1 - PA2 – PA6 Spraying Qualification  CS30/CS31 Chainsaw Licence  NVQ2 in Sports Turf/NVQ3 in Management/RHS levels 1, 2, 3 all desirable  Health and Safety training; IOSH/NEBOSH desirable Personal Attributes  Confidence to lead and inspire a team  Self-motivated, energetic, friendly, resilient, flexible and proactive  Thinks ahead, generates ideas and thinks of creative solutions to problems  Values and respects others, builds relationships, collaborates  Gets things done, delivers to high standards, takes responsibility  Must be a team player

General

The College requires of all its employees a high standard of behaviour and integrity when undertaking duties and when in contact with pupils, parents, fellow employees and visitors alike.

Terms and Conditions

 Hours of work will be Monday – Friday 7.30am to 4.30pm. This is a total of 40 hours per week (with one hour unpaid lunch break). Lunch is provided free of charge whilst on duty when the kitchen is open. Some flexibility is required and some weekend and evening work may be needed for example to be in attendance on the following days: Founders Day and School Open Days. This is a senior position and therefore there will be times when longer hours are required.

 Staff Accommodation will be provided and a requirement of the post is that the successful candidate will live onsite

 Uniform and PPE provided

 The annual holiday entitlement is equivalent to 6.6 weeks, which includes Bank Holidays. All holidays must be agreed in advance with the Estates Bursar. Should Public Holidays fall during term time they are treated as normal working days and time off in lieu will be given.

 The School participates in a contributory pension scheme. The School will contribute a sum equal to 5% of the employee’s salary provided that the employee contributes 5% or more.

 The employment will be subject to a six month probationary period. One month’s notice is required on each side to terminate this contract during the probationary period, after which three months’ notice is required.

Applications

Applications should be made using the application form which is available from the College website www.lancingcollege.co.uk and returned to [email protected] The closing date for applications is midday Thursday 31 October, interviews scheduled for week commencing 4 November 2019.

Further Information

 Lancing College is a no smoking site.

 Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications received, the College is unable to acknowledge every application. The College will only notify those candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview. Therefore, if applicants have not had a reply from the school within 21 days of the closing date, they can assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Applicants who have lived outside of the UK in the past 10 years will be required to provide a Police Check from their country of residence.