Groundsperson Apprentice

SEVENOAKS SCHOOL

Kent (TN13 1HU)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

This role will assist with the maintenance and development of the grounds (and, to a lesser extent, the gardens) on all school sites.

Wage

£21,329 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours
The basic hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 07:00 - 15:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 March 2026

Duration

1 year 6 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

Please note this is a non-exhaustive list and serves to indicate the type of roles that the successful candidate would be required to undertake:

  • To carry out a wide range of sports turf and artificial surface maintenance tasks to industry standards and in a professional manner
  • Maintain the playing surfaces in a suitable condition for the particular sport in season at that time (including setting out and marking pitches)
  • Sweep and maintain synthetic pitches
  • Prepare and maintain cricket squares
  • To assist with snow clearing
  • To communicate on a regular basis with the Head of Grounds, keeping them fully aware of any issues arising on a day-to-day basis
  • To adhere to Health & Safety requirements, follow risk assessments and maintain appropriate records
  • To complete all course work and assessments set by your apprenticeship assessor in the allocated time frame
  • To work alongside the gardens department as appropriate
  • To undertake any other duties as requested by the Head of Grounds

Where you'll work

Sevenoaks School
High Street
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1HU

Training

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

Training provider

NORTH KENT 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

  • We will provide a sports turf operative apprenticeship to give the post holder the expertise needed
  • This will be an 18 month Level 2 apprenticeship in grounds maintenance
  • College is attended on an ad hoc basis depending on how the coursework is going

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
  • Team working
  • Exceptional time keeping
  • Exceptional attendance
  • Reliable
  • Honest
  • Trustworthy
  • Full driving licence
  • Willingness to work outdoors

Other requirements

You will also be required to work up to 6 Saturdays per year, for 4 hours in the morning.You will receive up to 3 full days of Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) for these Saturdays, to be taken during the Summer Holidays.

You will be working outdoors and in all weather conditions. 

You will need a full driving licence

 

About this employer

Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International
Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 pupils from the age of 11 to 18. The school is one of the largest employers in the local area, employing staff in a wide variety of
roles, and aiming to be an employer of choice for top staff from around the world. We offer our staff a competitive range of benefits and are in
the process of developing a range of progressive employment policies and opportunities for personal and professional development. All
Sevenoaks staff are encouraged to enjoy facilities such as our sports centre and pool, attend performances at our performing arts centre, and get involved in service activities within the local community. We strive to promote the positive mental and physical health of all staff, and are committed to ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion are at the very heart of our culture and community. We believe every member of the school community should feel welcomed, included
and valued. Further information about the school can be found
at: www.sevenoaksschool.org. several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole. London is only a 30-minute train ride away and the school is in commutable distance from several Kent towns including Orpington, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Kings Hill and Dartford.
Recent developments on campus include a superb sports centre, a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, a world-class Science and Technology Centre and a Global Study Centre for the Sixth Form. Our campus has earned several architectural awards, including two RIBA National Awards (2019, 2022). With eight distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly and busy.

Company benefits

  • Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (excluding bank holidays)
  • Free parking (subject to availability)
  • Membership of the school’s defined contribution pension scheme is available

After this apprenticeship

  • This is a 24-month fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship. Following successful completion, and with satisfactory performance, this role may be made permanent

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTH KENT COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012228.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)