Horticulture Grounds Maintenance Apprentice
WHERWELL PRIORY ENTERPRISES LTD
ANDOVER (SP11 7JH)
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026
Posted on 27 April 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity has become available for a horticulture apprentice at Wherewell Priory. The successful candidate will work for a private family and will join a small, established team. The gardens and grounds of Wherwell are currently undergoing extensive restoration, supported by substantial investment.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
4 days onsite, one day at Sparsholt College once term commences.
Prior to September- Mon-Fri, 40 hrs per week, Actual hours to be confirmed with candidate.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Sunday 14 June 2026
- 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
The gardens and grounds of Wherwell are currently undergoing extensive restoration, supported by substantial investment.
The successful candidate will play an active role in this transformation, contributing to key developments including the establishment of a new walled garden and the installation of modern greenhouses. This provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in the evolution of a high-quality private estate garden.
Working under the guidance of the Head Gardener, the apprentice will assist in both the maintenance and establishment of the gardens. The role offers valuable hands-on experience across all aspects of horticulture, enabling the development of essential practical skills within a supportive and professional setting.
To include:
- Pruning of shrubs.
- Ground preparation and weeding.
- Planting.
- Use of machinery - including pedestrian and ride-on mowers, hedge cutters, strimmers, blowers and a variety of hand tools.
This position is ideally suited to a highly motivated and energetic individual with a genuine enthusiasm for horticulture, strong attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Where you'll work
WHERWELL PRIORY
WHERWELL
ANDOVER
SP11 7JH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
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.
Training schedule
Day release to Sparsholt College during term time. Starting September 2026.
More training information
Our training plan
- The majority of practical skills will be taught by the employer in the workplace
- You will attend Sparsholt College every Thursday on a day release basis during term time, where you will gain horticulture knowledge, such as plant and soil science
More training information
- Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
- Emergency First Aid
- PA1 PA6
- Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths must 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 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
More training information
Day release every Thursday during term time
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C(4) or above)
- Maths (grade C(4) or above)
Other in:
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
- Customer care skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- An interest in Horticulture
- Self starter
- Aptitude for learning
- Trustworthy and reliable
Other requirements
Due to insurance and the location of the Priory and the size of the estate, a full driving licence and own transport are essential. This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers.
About this employer
This is a position on a private estate in Wherwell, Hampshire. The successful candidate will work for a private family and will join a small, established team. The gardens and grounds of Wherwell are currently undergoing extensive restoration, supported by substantial investment.
After this apprenticeship
This role offers the chance to build a strong foundation in horticulture, with ongoing support and training throughout the apprenticeship.
For the right candidate, there may be the opportunity to progress to permanent employment after successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Jamie Morritt
jamie.morritt@sparsholtservices.ac.uk
01962797452
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028539.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026