Apprentice Groundsperson

BLUNDELL'S SCHOOL

Tiverton, EX16 4DT

Closes in 9 days (Friday 8 November)

Posted on 28 October 2024


Summary

A great opportunity for smart, ambitious and self-motivated individual to join a friendly team while gaining a valuable qualification. Working in our Estates Department and accountable to the Head Groundsperson, you will be responsible for maintaining the school gardens and grounds to a high standard.

Annual wage
£12,313.60 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 24 February

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

  • To maintain, to a high standard, all the school grounds according to seasonal Requirements 
  • Renovation and maintenance of sports turf and non turf surfaces 
  • Cutting and strimming grass to meet the specification for each area using both ride on and pedestrian machines 
  • Tidying and collecting waste 
  • Sweeping and preparing synthetic pitches 
  • Setting up sports equipment such as tennis nets, goals, flags, stumps and boundaries 
  • Line marking 
  • Using both ride-on and pedestrian machines, powered and manual tools including servicing/pre and post use inspection 
  • Assist with maintenance of the formal lawns including plant treatments, aeration, scarifying, verti-cutting and top dressing 
  • Prepare, maintain and clean specialist equipment before and after use 
  • Assist with tree maintenance (subject to training and qualifications) 
  • Chemical applications such as fertilizers and herbicides (subject to training and qualifications) 
  • Erecting small marquees and shelters 
  • Leaf clearance, waste and litter clearance 
  • Use of powered tools (i.e. strimmer's, blowers and hedge trimmers) subject to training 
  • Tractor driving using powered implements 
     

Where you’ll work

Blundells School

Bursars Office

Blundells Road

Tiverton

EX16 4DT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

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.
  • Your training plan

    • Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard - Sports Turf Operative:
    • Level 2 Sports Turf Operative - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
    • Level 1 Functional Skills English - if required (exemptions apply)
    • Level 1 Functional Skills maths - if required (exemptions apply)

    Requirements

    Desirable qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • GCSE's inc English & maths (grade 9 to 2 (A* to E))

    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
    • Attention to detail
    • Organisation skills
    • Customer care skills
    • Team working
    • Creative
    • Initiative
    • Physical fitness

    Other requirements

    Position will be working predominantly outdoors, a full driving license would be desirable

    About this company

    Founded in 1604, Blundell’s is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11 – 18 years. Boasting excellent facilities and the best in pastoral care, we are committed to providing an outstanding learning experience for all students. Based in 90 acres of beautiful Devon countryside, Blundell’s fosters a friendly and open environment where both students and staff can thrive.

    https://blundells.org/ (opens in new tab)

    Company benefits

    4 weeks paid holiday (pro-rata) plus bank holidays and customary days Company pension scheme Meals during term time Branded uniform provided (as required) Relevant internal and external training provided Use of excellent sports facilities

    After this apprenticeship

    Permanent postion on completion of appenticeship.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000284166.

    Apply now

    Closes in 9 days (Friday 8 November)

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.