Apprentice/Trainee Groundsperson

St Edmund's College; Collier's End; On-site; GBP 6,900 - 9,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff benefits

Access to College facilities

Job summary

St Edmund's College in Ware, Hertfordshire is seeking an Apprentice / Trainee Groundsperson to join our grounds team. This full-time fixed-term role offers hands-on training while you help maintain sports pitches, gardens and outdoor spaces.

You will learn to operate a range of grounds machinery, assist with mowing, pruning and seasonal landscaping, and have the opportunity to study towards a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship. An enhanced DBS check will be required.

Qualifications

• No previous experience is required; enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
• Interest in grounds or horticultural work.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather.
• Good team player with reliability.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintenance of sports pitches, gardens and outdoor areas.
• Mow, line-mark pitches and improve grounds presentation.
• Learn to operate and maintain grounds machinery safely.
• Support planting, pruning and seasonal landscaping tasks.
• Ensure work meets safety and presentation standards.

Job description

Required for as soon as possible)

Location: St Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire

Contract Type: Apprenticeship / Trainee - Full-time for a fixed period of employment with the possibility of a permanent position.

Salary: In line with National Minimum Wage

Start your career in grounds maintenance at one of the UK's leading independent schools.

St Edmund's College is seeking an enthusiastic and committed Apprentice / Trainee Groundsperson to join our experienced grounds team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors and wants to develop practical skills while contributing to the upkeep of our beautiful historic grounds and extensive sports facilities.

About the Role

As an Apprentice / Trainee Groundsperson, you will assist in the day-to-day maintenance and preparation of the College's sports pitches, gardens, and outdoor areas. You will work alongside skilled grounds staff with the option to study towards a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship.

Main duties include:

• Assisting with the preparation and maintenance of sports pitches (including rugby, football, cricket, and athletics).
• Helping with mowing, line marking, and general grounds presentation.
• Learning to operate and maintain a range of grounds machinery safely.
• Supporting planting, pruning, and seasonal landscaping tasks.
• Ensuring all work is carried out to high standards of safety and presentation.

About You

• Enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Has a positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.
• Works well as part of a team and takes pride in their work.
• Has good attention to detail and reliability.
• Holds (or is willing to work towards) a full UK driving licence (desirable but not essential).
• No previous experience is required – just enthusiasm, commitment, and a genuine interest in grounds or horticultural work.

We Offer

• A structured apprenticeship training programme (optional).
• Full support from experienced mentors.
• Opportunities to gain industry-recognised qualifications.
• A beautiful and inspiring working environment within the College grounds.
• Staff benefits and access to College facilities.

Whilst not in a teaching role, as an apprentice groundsperson you will be working on a regular basis in a school in a role which gives opportunity for contact with children. As such, you will be in regulated activity and an enhanced DBS check (which includes children's barred list information) will be required in advance of appointment.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. As with all College staff members, you will therefore be responsible for providing a safe environment in which children can learn.

Closing date for applications

Midday, Wednesday 25th November 2026

Interviews to take place

As soon as possible after the closing date

Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date, and we reserve the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made.

Telephone: (phone number removed)

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Candidates will be required to undergo relevant Safeguarding Checks.

We may seek references on short-listed candidates that will include questions about past disciplinary actions or allegations in relation to behaviour with children and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications before interview.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020