Alan Atkins, much-loved Head Groundman at Handcross Park School in West Sussex, won the Unsung Hero award at our Independent School of the Year Awards 2021. Here?s how he claimed the well-deserved title out of over 700 entrants, as told by the school itself.
Alan Atkins joined Handcross Park School 17 years ago as Head Groundsman. Under his tender and loving care, our 52-acre site now rivals any National Trust garden you could find. Alan’s dedication to ensuring the children enjoy childhood in a magical and idyllic setting is simply remarkable.
Alan manages the entire 52-acre site alone with very little help and really is such a huge part of the success of our school.

Alan is the first to arrive and the last to leave Handcross Park each day. Alan arrives each day and ensures the whole school is warm and welcoming. Nothing is ever too much trouble and he always carries out his never-ending list of jobs with a smile. Alan is always on hand to help with any crisis that arises, be that digging a parent’s car out of the snow, retrieving a ball from a tree, rescuing a deer trapped in the cricket nets or helping a pupil carry heavy belongings. Alan puts his work at school as a priority, even coming in on Christmas Day each year to ensure the animals are fed and the site is secure. Alan is a kind and gentle man who is unfailing in his good humour, whatever the situation. He’s never at a loss for a funny comment to lighten the mood!
Alan Atkins h...