- Job title: Apprentice Gardener
- Job Type: Permanent (Once apprenticeship has been completed), Full Time, 8am-5pm (1 hour unpaid lunch), Monday-Friday including one day at college
- Salary: £22,360 per annum
- Department: Estates
- Reporting to: Head Gardener
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: ASAP
- Closing Date: 24 February 2025 at 5:00 pm
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The Apprentice Gardener will report to the Head Gardener and work within the Estates Department.The Apprentice Gardener is responsible for assisting the Head Gardener in the maintenance of the School estate's gardens and flower beds (approx. 50 acres of high profile garden areas, which are seen by the general public as well as parents and visitors to the School). Until September, the Apprentice Gardener will work on site five (5) days per week. From September onwards, the Apprentice Gardener will work on site four (4) days a week and will attend College one (1) day a week. The day at college will be determined by the College. During College holidays the Apprentice Gardener will work five (5) days a week on site. Once the two (2) year apprenticeship has been successfully completed in a timely manner the apprentice will become a permanent member of staff.
Please note that the successful applicant will need to apply for the Apprenticeship separately to this position. We will support with this application and interview process.
Although it is the intention that the Apprentice Gardener will be dedicated to the Gardening Team, for the purposes of introducing variety into the role and to increase capacity within the Department, there will be the occasional requirement for the Apprentice Gardeners to assist other teams within the Estates Department.
The DepartmentThis department provides a service to the school in terms of: the security of school premises and the safety of pupils and staff; providing the highest quality environment for staff, pupils and visitors. Maintaining the public face of the school; external and internal mail services; storage and delivery of stationery supplies; safety and cleanliness of areas in the immediate vicinity of the schools; the moving of equipment and furniture; preparing rooms for assemblies, concerts, exams, functions and events; transportation of pupils and staff to extra-curricular activities and carrying out minor maintenance tasks.
Job Description
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES - Successfully complete apprenticeship within the time allocated by the college.
- Under the direction of the Head Gardener assisting in the maintenance of the gardens to the highest level.
- Be able to work safely and independently when the Head Gardener is not on-site during periods of annual leave and unplanned absence
- Cutting and stripping lawns using professional roller lawnmowers.
- Weeding beds and borders. Maintaining fine tilth and removing any unwanted debris.
- Pruning shrubs using correct methods.
- Trimming hedges and carrying out any topiary that requires any special care and attention.
- Dead-heading perennials at the appropriate time of year, aiding in re-flowering and rejuvenation.
- Sweeping and blowing the paths and hard standings.
- Working safely and effectively at all times having regard for the School's Health and Safety policies.
- Fulfilling at all times the requirements for any formal training courses which are agreed as being appropriate and suitable for the Apprentice.
- Notifying the Head Gardener immediately of any problems with machinery.
- Carrying out any other gardening related jobs as requested by the Head Gardener or their representative.
- Assist with Garden Clubs and any other educational activities involving students.
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: The Apprentice Gardener will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Head Gardener or his appointee.Person Specification
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications/Experience
- Essential
- GCSE level (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
- A demonstrable interest in horticulture.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a horticultural environment.
- Previous experience of working outside.
- Skills/Knowledge
- Essential
- An aptitude for using machinery safely.
- Good communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to use a range of techniques and style to ensure communication is timely, effective and clear.
- Ability to work in a methodical organised way to achieve goals and ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
- Able to demonstrate a high level of customer service.
- Personal Attributes
- Essential
- Ability to adapt to a complex, ever- changing working environment including adopting a flexible approach and reacting positively to changing circumstances and different weather conditions.
- Able to ensure the successful completion of every task or activity with a positive 'can do' attitude.
- Ability to take responsibility as a team member and provide support and an active contribution to the team, including ensuring that team members are fully informed of matters that affect them.
BenefitsLocation | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered - 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Holidays | Generous holiday allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays) for full-time staff. Most holidays will be taken during school holiday periods.
Lunch | A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks' full pay, then 10 weeks' half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at HighgateA culture of community, kindness and belongingHighgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that "Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions."
Staff wellbeingHighgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Work with us Aims + Ethos
A fun, collaborative and forward-thinking environment with a real sense of community
- Philippa Studd, Junior School Principal
Charitable work and sustainabilityAs an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible - through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham - an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure- Closing Date: 24th February 2025
- Timing of interviews: w/c 24th February 2025
Contact: Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered 'as and when' received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply here
InclusionWe know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
SafeguardingAs this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate's Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSIE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you applyHighgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities. DBS Privacy Policy
Please note that this role is 'exempt' from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not 'protected' (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. DBS Code of Practice
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.