1646 – Issue 4

What is your role within the School? I am the Deputy Head of Grounds at Reading Blue Coat and support the Grounds Manager in maintaining the school site. I help in the day-to-day management of looking after the sports pitches, keeping the inner school site tidy and ensuring the woodland is safe for pupils and staff to use and enjoy. What did you do before working at RBC? I worked at Bradfield College for five years as a Groundsman maintaining the college’s vast Grounds and Gardens. I’ve also more recently been a sole gardener at a property in Yattendon which included looking after their 30+ chickens! Can you describe your job using three words? Satisfying, challenging and unpredictable. What do you most enjoy about your role? I enjoy being able to provide surfaces for the A stroll around the School with... Sam Fisher students to enjoy and play on every weekend. Also, the variety that the job brings. I could be working on landscaping projects, the sports pitches and helping set up for a school event all in one day! What would you say is the biggest challenge you face? Most definitely the weather! It’s very hard to produce top quality sports surfaces when the weather goes from one extreme to the other. We’ve had record amounts of rainfall followed by 40-degree temperatures last summer and this trend is likely to continue. The team are constantly implementing drainage solutions in the Winter and conserving water in the Summer. You can’t be a Groundsman and not have a moan about the weather! What is your favourite part of the School? My favourite part of the School is the Main Pavilion outfield. I can be rolling the cricket square whilst looking down on to the Dunster pitches on one side, Holme Park on the other and into the School site straight ahead. It’s away from the hustle and bustle and very peaceful. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? I’m a big Crystal Palace fan (unfortunately) and follow them home and away. I play a bit of football and also like running. Next up is the Snowdonia marathon in October! What is the best thing about working at RBC? The best thing about working at Reading Blue Coat is without a doubt, the team. Grounds, Gardens, Maintenance and Facilities. They’re all great people who work hard and have a laugh doing so. When the staff and pupils return from their holidays, the team always ensure the place is looking fab. 2 9