Apprentice Groundsperson

Radley College

Abingdon (OX14 2HR)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 17 August 2026)

Posted on 3 August 2026

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Summary

Radley College seeks an enthusiastic Apprentice to train in sports turf and grounds management, gaining hands-on experience maintaining sports grounds, the golf course, and wider estate. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in sports turf and grounds management within a beautiful, historic College environment. 

• Wage:

  £18,000 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salaries are usually reviewed on 1 September each year.

• Training course: Sports turf operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 39-hours per week. Monday to Thursday 08:00 - 16:30, Friday 08:00 - 15:30. Half hour unpaid lunch break. There may be some weekend work.

  39 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• 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

The Apprentice Groundsperson will support the Grounds and Gardens team in the maintenance and preparation of the College's extensive sports grounds, golf course and wider estate.

• Preparing and maintaining the sports facilities under the direction of the Head of Grounds & Gardens, including artificial surfaces to a high standard
• Involved in the preparation of cricket wickets and practice areas
• Carrying out annual renovations to cricket squares and playing surfaces
• Applications of fertilisers and fungicides
• Creating, marking out and setting up of playing surfaces
• Working with various different types of equipment and machinery
• Undertaking general maintenance of equipment as directed
• Maintaining the awareness of the Health and Safety Regulations in your areas of responsibility
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the School grounds and work areas
• Drive vehicles and equipment as required for grounds maintenance operations
• Ensure hedges and fences are maintained to a high standard

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

KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD

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.

All training will be completed on site at Radley College. 

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
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

Radley Schools Group is legally obligated to process a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before making appointments to relevant posts. The level of DBS check required will depend on the nature of the role and whether the position involves regulated activity.

This may include an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list information.

Any data processed as part of the DBS check will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and the privacy statement for Radley Schools Group. A copy of the safeguarding policy for Radley Schools Group is available to view on their website. 

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

• Eligibility to join our stakeholder pension scheme with a maximum contribution from the College of 10%
• Eligibility for the Group Life Assurance Scheme (minimum pension contribution required)
• Employee assistance programme
• Discounted membership of the Sports Centre
• Discounted rate for golf membership
• Free parking
• Free meals during term time

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

It is possible that a full-time position is available at the end of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Radley College

Hr Department

HR@radley.org.uk

01235548518

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046005.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 17 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.