Assistant Gardener
Location: Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Annualised (seasonal hours) + occasional Saturdays
Our client is seeking a passionate and hardworking Assistant Gardener to join their friendly and highly motivated Grounds Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who takes pride in creating and maintaining beautiful gardens and landscapes, and who enjoys working outdoors as part of a professional team.
The site estate spans 46 acres of stunning riverside grounds in rural Berkshire, featuring formal gardens, prestige sports pitches and extensive woodland. Our grounds are widely admired and enjoyed by pupils, parents and visitors, and they are proud of the exceptional standards they maintain.
Working hours are annualised to reflect seasonal daylight:
* Autumn (Sept-Oct): 40 hours/week | 07:30-16:00

* Winter (Nov-Mar): 37.5 hours/week | 08:00-16:00

* Summer (Apr-Aug): 42.5 hours/week | 07:30-16:30

* 30-minute unpaid break each day

* Occasional Saturday work (typically one weekend in three during the summer term) - paid overtime or time off in lieu provided

The team works from a purpose-built Grounds & Maintenance facility with modern workshops, storage and staff rest areas. You’ll have access to a wide range of professional equipment, including tractors, specialist turf machinery and a modern fleet of handheld tools.
Your role as Assistant gardener:
You’ll focus mainly on the maintenance and development of the site’s formal gardens and amenity areas, with occasional support across sports fields and woodland areas.
*Maintaining gardens and landscaped areas to the highest horticultural standards
*Soil cultivation, planting, pruning, weeding, mulching and general garden care
*Lawn care, hedge cutting and shrub maintenance
*Use and basic maintenance of gardening machinery and hand tools
*Weed control (chemical and mechanical)
*Maintaining safe, tidy and secure working areas
*Supporting estate presentation for school events and functions
*Winter duties including gritting and snow clearance
*Working safely and in line with Health & Safety legislation
*Supporting the welfare and safeguarding of pupils
Skills required:
*1-2 years’ professional gardening experience
*Excellent plant knowledge
*Strong understanding of Health & Safety
*Competent machine operator
*Hard-working with strong attention to detail
*Reliable, trustworthy and comfortable working outdoors in all weathers
*Ability to work independently and as part of a team
*Good communication skills
*Flexible and enthusiastic approach to work
Desirable:
*Horticulture Level 2 or Level 3 qualification (or equivalent)
*Spraying certificates (PA1, PA6)
*Full UK driving licence