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- Tasks: Join our Grounds team to maintain top-notch sports facilities and learn hands-on skills.
- Company: Hurstpierpoint College, a leading independent school in mid-Sussex.
- Benefits: Free lunches, parking, pension scheme, and 30 days holiday.
- Why this job: Gain practical experience while working outdoors and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: No formal education required; just a passion for groundskeeping and teamwork.
- Other info: Opportunity for full-time position after successful completion of the apprenticeship.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 980 £ per month.
We are looking for an apprentice to join our Grounds team. Here you will help maintain high-quality sports facilities and the wider estate. You’ll gain hands-on experience in pitch preparation, gardening, machinery use, and year-round outdoor maintenance while working as part of a supportive, skilled team. As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning once every two weeks.
Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:30. Additionally, overtime is available on Saturdays during the Summer term. Application deadline: 22nd February 2026. Formal interviews to commence from the 23rd February. Start date currently set as 16th March 2026.
About Hurst: Hurstpierpoint College is a successful independent school, and a significant medium-sized enterprise in mid-Sussex with around 480 employees and a turnover of some £30 million pa. It is both a stimulating and a pleasant place in which to work. The College is amongst the most successful independent schools in Sussex.
The General Grounds Person is a member of the Support Staff and part of the Grounds and Gardening Team of the College and reports to the Grounds Manager, although on a day-to-day basis will be directed by the Deputy Grounds manager or Senior Gardener. The Support Staff of the College are ultimately the responsibility of the Director of Operations.
What will the apprentice be doing?
- Working as part of the Grounds team to maintain our busy and prestigious sport facilities, along with the rest of the external estate. This will involve tasks such as various types of pitch marking and preparation, including Cricket, Rugby, and Athletics.
- Keeping the gardens, thoroughfares, and highway footpaths clear and free from litter and debris at all times.
- Safe use and routine maintenance of all powered mechanical equipment, vehicles, and tractor operated machinery necessary for the job, this also includes hand tools and marking equipment.
- Carrying out gritting, salt spreading, snow clearing, as necessary, including footpaths and car parks throughout the school.
- If required, assisting the gardening staff as necessary with routine gardening duties including preparation, planting, seeding, turfing and maintenance of gardens, amenity areas, trees, shrubs, lawns and grass areas as well as pruning and hedge cutting.
- Assisting the other members of the support staff to prepare outdoor areas for events and functions.
All duties are to comply with current legislation governing Health and Safety at work and the control of Substances Hazardous to Health and relevant codes of practice.
What will apprentices learn with Plumpton College?
- Apply seed, fertiliser and top-dressing materials correctly to create high-quality, professional playing surfaces.
- Set out and line-mark sports pitches using official governing body rules, including arcs, semi-circles and the 3-4-5 method.
- Prepare and operate turf-care machinery safely, including mowers, tractors and specialist renovation equipment.
- Manage soil moisture levels through effective use of irrigation and drainage systems.
- Inspect turf health and diagnose issues, such as weeds, pests, diseases and thatch build-up.
- Carry out turf renovation tasks like overseeding, turfing and repairing divots, foot holes or surface damage.
- Identify key turfgrass species commonly used in sports turf management.
- Maintain sports turf through aeration, scarification and cylinder mowing to achieve required performance standards.
- Communicate clearly with clients, colleagues and suppliers, using verbal, written and digital methods.
- Apply safe and sustainable working practices, including correct waste disposal and systematic troubleshooting.
Qualifications Awarded:
- Apprenticeship Certificate
- Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
- Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)
Delivery model: The training will take place in person, bi-weekly at Plumpton College.
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
If the applicant successfully completes the probation period and qualifies after the two-year apprenticeship, they will be offered a full-time position.
Desired skills and personal qualities:
- Communication skills
- Team working
- Time-keeping skills
- Flexibility
- Adaptable motivated to learn practical groundskeeping and gardening tasks while demonstrating the capability to safely operate, or quickly learn to operate, machinery, tools, and vehicles.
- Either have an understanding, or a willingness to learn Health & Safety procedures.
Benefits:
- Free lunches during term time
- Parking on site
- Membership of the College’s contributory pension scheme
- Child care vouchers & optional BUPA private medical scheme
- 30 days (inclusive of Bank Holidays and 2 days given over the Christmas period). This entitlement will increase to 35 days after 5 years completed service.
Things to consider:
- Own transport is highly recommended due to our grounds location(s).
- Our apprentice will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part-time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship.
- You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
- This apprenticeship is approximately 18 months.
Job Type: Apprenticeship
Work Location: In person
Hurstpierpoint College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Apprentice Grounds Keeper in Hassocks employer: Coast and Vale Learning Trust
Contact Detail:
Coast and Vale Learning Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Grounds Keeper in Hassocks
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Hurstpierpoint College and its Grounds team. Understanding their values and what they’re passionate about will help you connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your enthusiasm! When you’re in the interview, let your passion for groundskeeping shine through. Talk about any relevant experiences, even if they’re just hobbies, and how eager you are to learn and grow in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship and the team. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you figure out if it’s the right fit for you too.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Grounds Keeper in Hassocks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Groundskeeping: When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about working in groundskeeping. Share any experiences you've had with gardening or outdoor maintenance, even if it's just helping out at home. We love seeing that enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight skills like teamwork and communication, and mention any relevant experience you have with machinery or outdoor work. This helps us see how you'd fit into our Grounds team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coast and Vale Learning Trust
✨Know Your Grounds
Familiarise yourself with the specific sports facilities and grounds maintenance practices mentioned in the job description. Research common pitch preparation techniques and the types of machinery used in groundskeeping. This will show your genuine interest and readiness to contribute.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. Share examples from past experiences where you collaborated effectively with others, especially in outdoor or practical settings. Highlighting your communication skills will resonate well with the supportive team environment they value.
✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
Since this is an apprenticeship, it's crucial to express your eagerness to learn and grow. Talk about your motivation to gain hands-on experience and how you plan to apply what you learn at Plumpton College to your role. This shows you're committed to both the job and your personal development.
✨Safety First!
Be prepared to discuss health and safety procedures relevant to groundskeeping. Familiarise yourself with basic safety protocols and be ready to explain how you would ensure a safe working environment. This will demonstrate your understanding of the responsibilities that come with the role.
