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Horticulture Operative - Grounds Assistant Apprentice HINCHINGBROOKE SCHOOL

To undertake all grounds related activities in order to meet the needs of the PE Department. To ensure that all school sites within the Trust are maintained to an excellent standard. To provide a good impression to all visitors to the schools, parents, students and staff.

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Closing date: 16 Dec 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £10,496.00

  • Working week

    Monday - Friday, 7.00am - 4.00pm with one-hour lunch break

    Total hours per week: 40

  • Expected duration

    21 Months

  • Possible start date

    19 Dec 2022

  • Date posted

    11 Nov 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000103443

  • Positions

    1 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

  • Take responsibility for the provision of grounds maintenance service on school site
  • Assist with managing the resources required to deliver the grounds maintenance program
  • Assist with managing the planning of the sports areas’ grounds maintenance to include lining of pitches, erection of goals etc. to coincide with the needs of the PE curriculum delivery
  • Ensure all grounds equipment conforms to latest Health and Safety legislation
  • Ensure the security of equipment when not in use, the repair and maintenance of equipment and the necessary stock control level and procedures
  • Assist with all-cutting, weeding, bedding, tree and hedge trimming and the pruning and clearance of leaves and debris around the site
  • Ensure adequate stocks of fuel, cleaning material, paints and replacement plantings etc are maintained to keep the grounds in prime condition
  • In liaison with the caretaking staff, keep all road gutters and gullies etc. running freely
  • Assist with maintaining woodland areas to a safe and healthy condition using a variety of tree management techniques and specialised equipment in line with the Tree Management Policy

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

  • Your training will be provided by both your Employer and Grey Seal Academy
  • All training is delivered face to face at the workplace either on site or videoconferencing; this includes x1 training session and x1 coaching session per month
  • You will have access to an online portfolio and virtual learning environment to assist your training and assessment during your programme

During the Apprenticeship you will learn the following topics:

  • Communication; communicate with others, including clients, the public and colleagues, this may require basic IT systems use
  • Team working; work alone and as part of a team effectively and recognise how all staff are dependent on each other to meet business objectives
  • Health and safety; apply relevant health and safety processes and procedures. Implement specific industry information on hazards relevant to horticultural environments. Follow safe systems of work and safety information provided by employer. Implement environmental protection policies and procedures
  • Environmental; prevent and control local pollution incidents e.g. use of spill kits
  • Planting, plant growth and development; care for plants correctly in different environments, including basic irrigation methods, planting methods and identifying plant deficiencies. Install various soft-landscape materials e.g. shrubs, trees, herbaceous, bedding, grass areas and seed. This will include site preparation, planting, sowing, turfing, preparation of seed beds and mulching
  • Soil cultivation; cultivate and improve soils by mechanical methods and by hand, making and amelioration of growing media and soils
  • Tools, equipment and machinery; safely use tools e.g. spades, rakes, shovels; equipment e.g. tape measure and spirit level and machinery e.g. pedestrian controlled mowers, hand held strimmer, hedgecutter
  • Vegetation control; follow processes and methods of site clearance, using tools and machinery for pruning and vegetation control, including basic turf management. Follow weed control methods
  • Propogation
  • Site presentation; work to a specified finish

Upon completion of the Apprenticeship you will gain the following qualifications and Standard:

  • Horticulture Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
  • Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3
  • Use of Pesticides Level 2
  • Functional Skills in mathematics Level 1 / 2 (if applicable)
  • Functional Skills in English Level 1 / 2 (if applicable)

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Permanent position possible at the end of the Apprenticeship with the following benefits:

  • 23-30 days annual leave increasing with years of service 
  • O2 Staff discount 
  • Free use of on-site leisure facilities including gym and swimming pool 
  • Free car parking 
  • Generous employee pension contribution scheme and death in service benefit (LGPS) 
  • Day one entitlement to contractual sick pay 
  • CPD access and support 

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Customer care skills, Team working

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 2) Desired
GCSE or equivalent Mathematics (Grade 2) Desired

About the employer

Hinchingbrooke is a remarkable state school, set in acres of beautiful grounds and adjoining a country park. Hinchingbrooke House was formerly the family home of the Cromwells and of the Earls of Sandwich. The school finds inspiration from its heritage and gives both staff and students a very special pride and a sense of identity.

Employer

HINCHINGBROOKE SCHOOL

Address

Hinchingbrooke School

Brampton Road

Huntingdon

PE29 3BN

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Training

Training provider

GREY SEAL ACADEMY LIMITED

Contact

Holly Lee-Crick

admin@greysealacademy.co.uk

01773829121

Apprenticeship standard

Horticulture or landscape construction operative

Level 2 (GCSE)

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