Groundsperson Apprentice

Summary

Carry out grounds’ maintenance works to a high standard on the school grounds and other areas as designated by Head of Grounds or another team leader. To complete studies as designated by college tutor and attend college for the required days.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

37.5 hrs/wk 1 Aug to 31 Mar & 41.5 hrs/wk 1 April to 31 July (averages out as 38.81 hrs/wk), Monday to Friday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

2 years 3 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

You will be trained in all aspects of grounds maintenance to include:

Grass mowing both pedestrian and tractor/ride on machine
Strimming
Blowing of leaves and debris
Clearing piles of leaves
Assisting with the marking of pitches
Weeding
Hedge cutting and tidying of clippings
Bin emptying
Sweeping and conditioning of artificial surfaces
General fence and building maintenance
Log splitting and stacking
Machinery maintenance
Machinery cleaning
Road repairs
Pruning of plants
Setting up of sports hall for events
Car parking
General tidying of site
Building, erection and removal of goals
Undertake maintenance and cleaning of swimming pool and surrounding area

Where you'll work

CHEAM SCHOOL
HEADLEY
NEWBURY
BERKSHIRE
RG19 8LD

Training

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

College or training organisation

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

Your training plan

You will attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time.

Training to be provided:

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (Ofqual registered) minimum 1-day course
City and Guilds NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines OR Lantra Abrasive Wheel Machines Course
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment

Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:

Online knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple choice questions
Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor
The apprentice will undertake three tasks core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping
Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge

You will be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis to learn about horticulture, to include:

Health & Safety
Use and maintain non-powered and handheld powered equipment
Use and maintain pedestrian-controlled equipment
Environment protection
Plant identification and nomenclature - Latin and common
Vegetation control
Soil science and cultivation
Plant establish & maintenance
Plant grown
Plant health
Establish and maintain amenity areas
Survey and mark out sites for landscaping features
Construct hard landscape features
Maintain hard landscape features

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4(C) or above)
Maths (grade 4(C) or above)

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
Physical fitness
An interest in horticulture
Aptitude for learning

Other requirements

This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outdoors in all weathers.

About this company

Prep School with approx. 370 pupils and 100 acres of grounds.

https://www.cheamschool.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A permanent position may be offered on sucessful completion of your apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Karen Jackson

karen.jackson@sparsholtservices.ac.uk

01962 797452

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000319991.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Sunday 1 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents