Summary
An opportunity has arisen to join the team at Wellesley Prep School as an apprentice grounds person. This exciting opportunity allows you to learn and develop your skills in grounds maintenance, whilst contributing to the upkeep and appearance of our sports fields.
Wage
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm, with one hour for lunch.
40 hours a week
Start date
Wednesday 7 May 2025
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
* Maintain the quality and appearance of the sports fields, MUGA and school grounds
* Assist in the development of grounds management strategies
* Work collaboratively with the team to achieve shared objectives
Where you’ll work
Wellesley Prep School
Stratfield
Hook
RG27 0AR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
Your training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
* Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
* Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
* Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
* Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
* Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
* Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
* Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
* Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
* Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
* Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
* Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
* Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
* Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
* Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.
* Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
* Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
* Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
* Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
* Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
* Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
* Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
* Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
* Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
* Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
* Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
* Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
* Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
* Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.
Your training plan
This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Requirements
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Team working
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
* Proactive
Other requirements
Full UK Driving License (essential) A commitment to safeguarding and child protection (essential) Outdoor activities in all weather Use of garden machinery and equipment