Gardener

Gardener

Location: Godalming,Surrey

Salary: £26,450 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

Close Date: 18th May 2026

To undertake the day-to-day maintenance of gardens and amenity areas, in line with the maintenance plan and to ensure high standards are achieved.

Our stunning grounds covering 250 acres includes ornamental lawns, sports pitches, mixed shrub and herbaceous borders, walled old headmasters garden, formal David Austin rose garden and plant nursery all surrounded by beautiful woodland.

The gardening department grow most of the plants found around the site from seeds and cuttings collected from the grounds in a purpose-built plant nursery comprising of 6 glasshouses and a large tropical greenhouse. This facility offers the chance to get involved with the whole plant propagation process and seeing 8 the plants develop to reaching full maturity out on site. As well as growing our own plants we also offer plants for sale to the whole Charterhouse community.

The old headmasters garden features a large herbaceous border planted in the style of the local famous garden designer Gertrude Jekyll as well as a summer house designed by Edwin Lutyens famous for designing the Cenotaph war memorial in London.

There also 2 large historical borders planted in cottage garden style made famous by the practical gardener and journalist William Robinson.

Overall Purpose and Responsibilities

• To undertake routine preparation and maintenance of gardens and amenity areas, using sound horticultural practices to ensure the grounds and highly presentable at all times.
• To undertake a wide range of manual horticultural operations, of a physical nature, to include plant selection, propagation, cultivation, planting and nursery work.
• To operate a range of modern turf machinery, ensuring vehicles and equipment used by yourself and others are regularly maintained, in accordance with routine operating requirements.
• To operate a range of powered hand tools such as strimmers, hedge cutters and lawn mowers.
• To safely move material and plants around the estate.
• To undertake a range of horticultural operations such as spreading of fertilisers (granular or liquid) and weed control.
• To maintain hedges around the estate.
• In autumn/winter ensure leaves are cleared and disposed of.
• To clear snow and apply salt in icy conditions during the winter months.
• To undertake a range of tree and woodland maintenance operations.
• To maintain and repair boundary and internal fencing as and when required.

General Duties

• To be able to communicate effectively with school management, pupils and general public with tact, diplomacy and patience.
• To inform the line manager when products and materials are low for ordering.
• To be able to work in a team or on your own depending on the tasks in hand.

Additional Duties

• To demonstrate awareness of health and safety for the individual and all others, and to have a sound knowledge of appropriate PUWER and LOLER procedures.
• To ensure the safe use, storage, calibration and disposal of pesticides and other similar substances (COSHH regulations).
• To ensure work area is kept clean, tidy and secure at all times.
• To maintain an accurate log of HAV s usage.
• To carry out machinery risk assessment as per procedures in place (e.g. chainsaw risk assessment). To keep up to date knowledge of Health & Safety legislation.
• To attend any mandatory training as and when required.

Relevant Experience/Knowledge & Technical Competencies Essential:

• A can-do attitude and a readiness to work. Desirable:
• Previous experience of working in a commercial gardening capacity.
• Hold a recognised qualification.
• Basic Health and Safety training.
• Previous experience of working within a school or college.
• Previous experience of working in a horticultural environment.
• Some knowledge and a genuine interest in herbaceous plants, shrubs, basic pruning techniques, and the ability to identify weeds.

Qualifications Desirable:

• Qualifications and/or training in the use of powered machinery, COSHH, manual handling although training can be given in these areas if required.
• Spraying qualification Pa1 and Pa6.
• Good standard of education, numeracy and literacy.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Charterhouse School, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.