Apprentice Sports Turf Operative

King Edward's School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to adhere to the School's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

Responsible to:

The Estates and Facilities Manager for line management responsibilities and the Bursar & Chief Operating Officer, who has overall responsibility for support staff.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Applying the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).

2. Setting and marking 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).

3. Preparing machinery and equipment to ensuring their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.

4. Maintaining levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.

5. Inspecting the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).

6. Preparing the ground and establishing grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).

7. Carrying out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.

8. Carrying out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).

9. Preparing and safely operating a tractor and it's attachments (including non-mowing attachments).

10. Selecting and using relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).

11. Adopting a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.

12. Identifying a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).

13. Carrying out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).

14. Disposing of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

15. Complying with health and safety legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies.

16. Carrying out operations to minimise the adverse environmental impact (including pollution control) in line with legislation, industry guidance and organisational policies.

Health and Safety:

Health and safetyinstructions and regulations must be observed and adhered to, in particular the Apprentice Horticulture should be:

17. Taking reasonable care of yourself and others at work and co-operating with all colleagues in the school to enable those responsible to carry out their legal duty, in line with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

18. Helping maintain compliance by assisting with all relevant health and safety checks required.

19. Wearing appropriate protective equipment when dealing with or handling chemicals.

20. Wearing ear defenders when operating moving machinery.

21. Wearing safety shoes/boots at all times.

22. Observing speed limits if/or when driving tractors and other vehicles in the grounds.

23. Conforming to the School's Code of Conduct.

24. Adhering to the School's safeguarding procedures.

The above list is not exhaustive but summarises the key roles to be performed and other duties may be required and directed by the Estate and Facilities Manager. A willingness to respond supportively to changing circumstances and/or the changing needs of the School is part of working in a school environment and is expected of the postholder., All staff are in a position of trust and have a duty to keep children and young people safe and to protect them from neglect and physical and emotional harm. This duty is in part exercised through the development of respectful caring and professional relationships between staff, children, and young people. Staff are expected to be familiar with the local child protection arrangements and understand their responsibilities in order to safeguard and protect children and young people.

This varied and rewarding role will require energy, flexibility, enthusiasm for the wide-ranging tasks and the ability to work as part of the team. It is an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Sports Turf Operative who has a passion for the outdoors and sport and is keen to take their first step into the world of sports turf maintenance. It would suit a person who has a professional, friendly and helpful manner, is a team player and has a 'can do' attitude, with an awareness of Health and Safety. The successful candidate must have basic IT skills., GCSE A

• - C in English and Maths (or equivalent)


Good literacy and numeracy skills

Be First Aid trained

Knowledge and Experience

General knowledge of horticulture

Working in a school or education setting

Passionate about sport and sports grounds

Ability to work autonomously with honesty and integrity.

Self-motivated and hardworking

Have the desire to work flexibly and work occasional unsocial hours, e.g. evenings or weekends for which time off in lieu will be given

Good time management skills

Demonstrate energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills the ability to deal confidently with a variety of individuals.

Good team player

Capable of meeting deadlines under pressure

Job Type: Apprenticeship


• Cycle to work scheme


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Free parking


• Health & wellbeing programme


• On-site gym


• On-site parking


Schedule:

• Monday to Friday