Shiplake College is an HMC co-educational boarding and day school offering a holistic education for around 540 pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 as we look to the future as a fully co-educational place of learning - as of 2024, the Lower School (Years 7 and 8) has 40% girls. As well as providing a fantastic learning and living environment for young people, Shiplake offers an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding working environment.
We strive to recruit the best possible teaching and support staff to drive the College forwards and ensure we continue to provide the best possible rounded education for our pupils. Our recruitment selection and disclosures policy can be accessed at the link below.
Recruitment Policy
For all teaching appointments, a willingness to participate in the varied extra-curricular life of a busy boarding and day school is essential. Shiplake has a defined contribution pension scheme (APTIS or alternative option for support staff) and its own salary scale. Accommodation may be available on site and further paid responsibilities may also be available. Excellence in the classroom and an ability to inspire young people are paramount and non-negotiable.
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Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues and all staff enjoy a free lunch and evening meal if on duty. In addition, staff are encouraged to make use of the onsite gym facilities, open air swimming (during summer months), and join a variety of staff teams such as football, touch rugby and cricket.
Current Vacancies
Groundsperson
40 hours per week (applications for part-time work will be considered)
Salary between £21,000 to £30,000 depending on experience
Are you passionate about sports turf maintenance? Do you enjoy working outdoors and contributing to the upkeep of beautiful grounds?
An exciting opportunity awaits you at our prestigious College with cricket, rugby and football pitches as well as Astro Turf, all located in a stunning riverside setting. The successful applicant will be joining us at an exciting time when we have 6 new rugby/football pitches and are building a new full-sized artificial hockey pitch, MUGA and cricket nets to be brought into operation in early 2025.
We are dedicated to ensuring our grounds are maintained to the highest standards and as our sports facilities expand, we are looking for enthusiastic people to grow our team.
As a Groundsperson, you will be part of the grounds team and your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and maintaining to a high standard our sports pitches including 3 cricket pitches, grass tennis courts, 8 rugby/football pitches and artificial playing surface
- Conducting sports turf renovation activities such as top dressing and overseeding. Pre-season preparation and end of season renovation of the cricket pitches
- Sports turf maintenance tasks including marking out initial pitches, over marking, mowing, scarifying, aeration and applying fertilizers and pesticides
- Operating and maintaining grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and tractors
- Ensuring cleanliness and tidiness in tools, workshops, and storage rooms
- Conducting regular inspections to ensure the safety and quality of playing surfaces
- Assisting with the planning and scheduling of grounds maintenance tasks
To excel in this role, you should possess the following qualities:
- Professional grounds maintenance experience or an appetite to learn
- Sound knowledge of and previous use of horticultural machinery or an appetite to learn
- Self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards
- Physically fit, adaptable to changing schedules and working in various weather conditions
- Enthusiasm and dedication to contributing to a thriving school environment
- An interest in supporting the growth of our sports facilities
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week with an unpaid lunch hour and two paid 20-minute breaks. Additional hours will be required throughout the year, including weekend working for sporting and other events, hours are agreed in advance. Overtime attracts an additional payment.
We are ideally looking for an experienced Groundsperson however we will also consider applications if you have a keen interest in grounds or limited experience. We support personal growth and can offer comprehensive training and development opportunities.
Groundsperson Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Application Deadline: Applications considered upon receipt
Interviews: By arrangement
To arrange an informal visit to the College to learn more about the role, please email [email protected] or call 0118 9402455 and speak to Claire Smith for this to be arranged.
Domestic Team Member
15 hours per week, 6 hours to be completed on a Friday with the remainder being flexible
£11.78 per hour depending on experience plus benefits
Joining as soon as possible
We are seeking to appoint a Domestic Team Member to join our small domestic team. It’s important that we find the right person so, with 15 hours a week with 6 hours on a Friday a minimum, can offer part time, full time, all year round or term time only working and can be flexible on working hours available after 8am, Monday to Friday. Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend day shifts to cover key school events would be appreciated.
Working collaboratively with our domestic team your responsibilities could include efficient and, prompt cleaning of day and boarding houses, offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, changing rooms and other areas of the College. This could include dusting, sweeping, vacuuming and mopping. You will also work in our onsite laundry on a rota basis washing, drying and organising the return of laundry to the right location across the College.
As a member of the domestic team we are looking for a hard-working, enthusiastic and conscientious team member who is confident working as part of a team and independently to high standards.
A positive attitude, can-do approach and a good sense of humour is all that is required as full training will be given.
Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues, a contributory pension scheme and excellent free lunches. Staff are encouraged to make use of the on-site gym facilities and open-air swimming pool, during the summer months, alongside the opportunity to make the most of our riverside location.
Domestic Team Member Candidate Pack
Support Staff Application Form
Closing Date: Applications considered upon receipt
Interviews: By arrangement
To arrange an informal visit to the College to learn more about the role, please email [email protected] or call 0118 9402455 and speak to Claire Smith for this to be arranged.
To Apply
To apply for a current vacancy please complete the relevant application form provided and return, with a covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, via email to [email protected].
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact, Mrs Maria Moir, HR Manager on [email protected] or 01189 405 218.
The College reserves the right to appoint before the application deadline.
If you should have any queries regarding employment at Shiplake College, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Safeguarding
Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.