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Groundsperson Apprentice
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Kick-start your career with a hands-on apprenticeship at Whickham School. Working alongside our experienced Estates Team, you'll learn how to maintain and develop our extensive school grounds while gaining nationally recognised qualifications. You'll also have opportunities to develop additional skills in site and caretaking duties.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
As part of our Estates Team, no two days are the same. You'll gain experience across all aspects of grounds maintenance whilst supporting the wider operation of a busy secondary school.
You will:
- Maintain sports pitches, lawns, landscaped areas and outdoor spaces
- Learn to operate and maintain a range of horticultural machinery and equipment
- Plant, cultivate and maintain shrubs, trees, borders and flower beds
- Assist with turf management, grass cutting and seasonal grounds maintenance
- Help identify and control weeds, pests and plant diseases
- Carry out routine inspections of outdoor areas to ensure they remain safe and well presented
- Support the Estates Team with general site maintenance and caretaking duties
- Assist with setting up school events and maintaining the school environment
- Learn safe working practices, environmental management and health and safety procedures
- Work alongside experienced colleagues who will support your development throughout the apprenticeship
Where you'll work
Burnt House Lane Whickham Newcastle Upon Tyne NE16 5AR
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE
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.
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(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).
Training schedule
The successful apprentice will complete the Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship Standard over approximately 24 months. As part of the apprenticeship you will also achieve:
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- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
- Level 2 Award in the Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (PA1)
- Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides Using Hand Held Equipment (PA6)
- Functional Skills in English and maths where required
Training will take place through a combination of workplace learning at Whickham School and one day per week at Kirkley Hall Campus, Northumberland College. You'll be supported by both your workplace mentor and your apprenticeship tutor throughout the programme.
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3-9)
- Maths (grade 3-9)
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
- Customer care skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Reliable
- Punctual
- Positive
- Maintains high standards
Other requirements
This is a practical role which involves working outdoors throughout the year in a variety of weather conditions. Some tasks involve lifting, carrying and operating machinery, with full training and appropriate PPE provided.
Whickham School is a high-performing and oversubscribed 11 to 18 secondary school in Gateshead, where students and staff thrive together. We are committed to providing an outstanding learning environment and take great pride in our school site and facilities. Our Estates Team plays a vital role in ensuring our grounds and buildings remain safe, welcoming and well maintained. As an apprentice, you'll become part of a supportive team who are passionate about developing future talent and helping you build the skills needed for a successful career. http://www.whickhamschool.org (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Ongoing training and development
- Additional qualifications in estates and caretaking where appropriate
- Wellbeing support/employee benefits
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a career in horticulture, grounds maintenance and estates management. Subject to performance and business needs, there may be opportunities for permanent employment within the Estates Team. We are committed to supporting ongoing development and would encourage successful apprentices to undertake further qualifications in estates management, caretaking and facilities management.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042592. Closes in 23 days (Friday 7 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
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