Grounds Keeper Apprentice

Company: Eastbourne College
Closing Date: 11-02-2026
Location: Eastbourne
Salary: £14,722.50-£23,809.50 per year
Hours: Fixed term
Contact Title: Talent Bank & Recruitment Support Officer
Contact Name: Brandon Wolfe
Contact Email: brandon.wolfe@plumpton.ac.uk
How to Apply: Please submit a CV to brandon.wolfe@plumpton.ac.uk with a written answer to the following questions: Do you hold a full UK driving license? If yes, do you have a car? Why are you keen to enter into the sports turf sector? Do you have any outdoor work experience?

Description

We are seeking a new Grounds Keeper Apprentice . Gain hands‑on experience maintaining six high‑quality sports sites, from cricket and rugby to synthetic pitches. You’ll help keep facilities in top condition, learn machinery and equipment upkeep (including tractors and mowers) and work closely with coaching teams to support excellent sporting experiences.

As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning once every two weeks.

Hours: 37.5 hours. Monday - Friday 08.00am - 16.00pm.

Salary: £14,722.50 - £23,809.50 per annum.

Application deadline: 11th February 2026, calls to applicants will occur before this deadline. Formal interviews to commence from the 23rd February. Start date currently set as 7th April 2026.

About the Employer

Eastbourne College is an award-winning HMC independent co-educational day and boarding school for around 600 pupils aged 13 to 18, set on the beautiful East Sussex coast. Working here means joining a professional community of teaching and support staff that values ambition, balance and wellbeing.

Healthy ambition and a focus on positivity and growth guide the way we work together at Eastbourne College. Staff benefit from excellent facilities, a collaborative culture and the inspiration of our coastal setting between the South Downs and the sea. We also invest in professional development and provide access to a range of staff benefits, including use of College facilities, pension schemes and wellbeing initiatives.

The College is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community, a place where we all – pupils and staff alike – can be ourselves and succeed on merit. As a respected employer in the independent education sector, Eastbourne College offers a rewarding and supportive environment where our staff can continue to develop their skills and, where possible, take on new responsibilities.

What will the apprentice be doing?

Day to day responsibilities and tasks will vary, but will include:

Carrying out day‑to‑day general maintenance of sports grounds
Marking out sports pitches and surfaces to required specifications
Aeration, mowing, and routine maintenance of sports surfaces
General maintenance of amenity and landscaped areas
Maintaining high standards of presentation across all areas
Ensuring ancillary areas, including viewing areas and pavilions, are kept tidy and safe

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.
And much more.

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?

After the apprenticeship, we would take the apprentice on as a full time groundsperson.

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Number skills
Logical
Confident
Reliable & Committed
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Detail oriented
Prior background in sports turf maintenance or mechanical knowledge of machinery would be desirable, not essential.

Benefits

Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
Free tickets to college performances
Free lunches during normal working hours
Use the college gym and swimming pool.

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. Shorter course may not apply.
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.