Apprentice Grounds Keeper

Summary

Clayton House is a private 140-acre estate in Buckinghamshire, including pastures, a small golf course, and a full-size grass driving range that need maintaining all year round. You’ll be part of a close-knit team of full-time gardeners and will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of horticultural, landscaping and groundskeeping tasks.

Wage

£11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 January 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

General grounds maintenance including grass cutting, strimming, edging, leaf blowing and clearance
Hedge trimming under supervision and maintaining paths, drives and hard surfaces
Assisting with woodland work, tree-care tasks, raking, sweeping and tidying high-use areas
Garden and landscaping duties such as planting, mulching, weeding, soil prep and seasonal bed changes
Supporting lawn-care activities including scarifying, feeding, overseeding and watering during dry periods
Safe use, cleaning, storage and basic maintenance of mowers, strimmers, blowers and other tools
Golf course and driving-range support including mowing, ball collection and general upkeep
Wider estate support such as helping with events, keeping barns/yards tidy and assisting on larger projects

Where you'll work

Clayton House
Lodge Hill, Butlers Cross
Aylesbury
HP17 0UR

Training

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

Training provider

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

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

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

Typically, one day per fortnight required to come into college (Berkshire College of Agriculture)
May have to complete Functional Skills, if do not hold a pass in GCSE maths and English
Rest of the time spent at place of employment

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
Team working
Initiative
Physical fitness
Respectful
Positive Attitude

About this employer

Clayton House is the home of Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, 3 times F1 World Champion. It is a private estate located in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England. It is not a public place and is not open to visitors.

After this apprenticeship

Possible permanent employment

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001006.

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Skills

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now

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Apprentice Grounds Keeper

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Skills

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now