Sports Pitch Apprentice

Summary

Learn from experienced professionals, work on high-quality sports pitches and gain valuable skills in grounds keeping and turf care.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Hours

Working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Monday - Friday from 07:30 - 16:30 including a 1 hour unpaid break per day. There is a requirement to work one Saturday per month within term time, the accrued time can be taken at a later date.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 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

Pitch Maintenance and Preparation
Equipment Management
Health, Safety and Compliance
Collaboration and Event Preparation

Where you’ll work

ST. BEDES SCHOOL
UPPER DICKER
HAILSHAM
BN27 3QH

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

PLUMPTON 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.
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

Working towards a Level 2 Sports turf operative apprenticeship standard, including any required Functional Skills in English and maths. The training will take place at Bede's Senior School along with travel to Plumpton college, training days to be agreed.

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
Attention to detail
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Physical fitness

Other requirements

The vacancy involves working outdoors, training will be provided for the tools and machinery that will be used.

About this company

Bede's is an independent, co-educational school located on two stunning sites, one by the sea in Eastbourne and one in the heart of the Sussex countryside. We offer education for children from the age of 3 months through to 18 years old, and are renowned for the level of academic and pastoral care that we provide to our pupils

https://www.bedes.org/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays Employee Assistance Programme Free use of School gym & pool facilities/discounted nationwide gym membership, Eye care vouchers, Beneficiary Nominations (Death in Service), Lunch provided Free onsite parking.

After this apprenticeship

If they're the right candidate, the apprentice may be able to remain in post after the apprenticeship has ended as a Sports Pitch Operative, with further opportunities for progression over time.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ST BEDE'S SCHOOL TRUST SUSSEX

Recruitment Team

recruitment@bedes.org

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313917.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Friday 18 April 2025)

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