Grounds Apprentice (Sports Turf Operative)

Introduction

We have a new opportunity for a Grounds Apprentice (Sports Turf) to join our dedicated team.  They will learn all aspects of Grounds work, with particular focus on developing skills and knowledge to ensure the school sports pitches are prepared and maintained to a high standard.  

About the Employer

Caldicott is one of the country’s most prestigious Independent Boarding and Day Preparatory Schools for Boys. We are a flourishing school with around 250 boys from 7 to 13 years old.  We deliver a first class education, sporting provision and a rich variety of music, drama, arts and extracurricular opportunities, in a friendly and supportive working environment.  The School is only twenty miles from central London in a beautiful location.

What You'll Do

Maintenance, upkeep and appearance of school grounds, playing fields, gardens and sports pitches. Including, but not limited to:

• Mowing, strimming, weeding, weed killing, hedging and pruning.
• Laying turf, seeding, levelling and filling the ground.
• Leaf blowing, litter picking, sweeping and general clearing and tidying.
• As needed, marking and maintenance of all surfaces: grass, hard playing surfaces; preparing, renovating and maintaining all sports pitches to a high standard.

Gardening

Assisting with the maintenance of all gardens:

• Weeding, mulching and planting of flowerbeds
• Deadheading and pruning of flowers and shrubs at correct times, eg Wisteria in Head’s garden each year
• Mowing and edging of lawns
• Fertilise lawns
• Weed killing – lawns, patios, porch and driveway
• Watering throughout summer months and dry periods as necessary
• Hedge trimming

Around the rest of the site:

• Prepare and plant pots, planters and hanging baskets in Spring.
• Maintain all pots and planters to a high standard and refresh as appropriate each season.
• Ensure watering of pots, planters and tubs is done on a daily basis throughout the summer months.
• Hedge trimming.
• Lawn edging and mowing.

Maintenance, and installation of sports pitch equipment:

• Goal posts, rugby posts, tennis nets, cricket nets and other sports equipment as necessary.

Maintenance of grounds machinery:

• Assisting with day-to-day maintenance, cleanliness and serviceability of all grounds machinery is carried out to the highest standard.

Seasonal tasks (if required):

• Application of nutritional feeds to the grass.
• Spraying of appropriate herbicides and pesticides.

Training Outcome

Full time permanent job as Grounds person.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - 4 or above
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - 4 or above

Course Information

Course: Sports turf operative (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm. No weekend working for this role.

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: TRAIN TOGETHER LIMITED