Radley College Sports Turf Apprenticeship
Radley College
Abingdon (OX14 2HR)
Closes in 14 days (Friday 29 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 August 2025
Contents
Summary
Radley College is a leading independent boys’ boarding school set in 800 acres of grounds. We take great pride in the grounds and gardens across the site and we are looking for a positive and enthusiastic apprentice to join the team.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
- Training course
- Sports turf operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Standard working hours are 39 per week to be worked 0800 to 1630 Monday to Thursday, 0800 to 1600 Friday, with a 1-hour unpaid lunch break.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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
To assist generally with the maintenance of 30 hectares of college sports ground, golf course and estate.
Where you'll work
Radley College
Radley
Abingdon
OX14 2HR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE
Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
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.
Training schedule
- Sports Turf Operative Level 2 qualification
- Training will take place on the job at the workplace
More training information
Learn on the job with support from the experienced grounds team.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The apprenticeship will involve working outdoors All employees must attend appropriate training in accordance with the college’s and local Safeguarding Board stipulations. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. A disclosure, at the enhanced level, will be requested from the successful applicant, but a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining this position. You will also be required to produce original evidence of qualifications, as well as evidence of the right to work in the UK.
About this employer
Radley College is a leading independent boys’ boarding school set in 800 acres of grounds. We have a fantastic opportunity for an Apprentice to join the College.
http://www.radley.org.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Excellent pension scheme. Free lunches during term time. Reduced membership to the golf club & sports centre. Free uniform provided. Employee Assistance Programme. College sickness scheme.
After this apprenticeship
Possibility of a full-time position available at the end of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Radley College
HR Department
HR@radley.org.uk
01235 548518
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000335436.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Friday 29 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
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