Reigate Grammer School | Sports Turf Apprentice Job Description
We are looking for an apprentice to join us in our grounds team. This is a great opportunity to begin a career in sports grounds & turf maintenance, combining on-the-job experience with formal training. You’ll gain valuable skills while contributing to the upkeep of a busy multi-sport site, including cricket, rugby, football, hockey and tennis surfaces.
Hours: 40 hours. Monday to Friday 07:30pm to 16:30pm including some weekend work
Salary: £16,640 per annum (£8 per hour)
Application deadline: 15th June 2026
About the Employer
Reigate Grammar School (RGS) is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, with a history dating back over 300 years. Today, it educates more than 1050 students aged 11-18 and is widely recognised for both academic achievement and a strong focus on personal development.
The school offers high-quality facilities including sports pitches, all-weather surfaces, a swimming pool, sports halls and fitness spaces. This creates a busy and varied environment, where sport and outdoor activity play an important part in daily school life.
Working at RGS means being part of a supportive team that takes pride in its environment and the experience it provides for students, staff and visitors. We believe that great schools are built on great staff.
What will the apprentice be doing?
You’ll be part of a team responsible for maintaining over 32 acres of sports grounds, including:
· Cricket pitches
· Rugby and football fields
· Athletics facilities
· All-weather hockey and tennis surfaces
Your work helps ensure students, staff, and visitors have the best possible experience using the facilities. You will do this by:
· Preparing and marking out pitches for matches and training
· Maintaining playing surfaces to a high standard
· Using specialist equipment (e.g. mowers)
· Tasks such as mowing, line marking, spiking, aeration, fertilising, repairs and turf care
· Supporting general upkeep of outdoor spaces
This is an active, practical role where you’ll learn by doing.
Training & Qualification
You’ll study with Plumpton College alongside your job, gaining industry-recognised skills such as:
· Applying seed, fertiliser and top‑dressing materials correctly to create high‑quality, professional playing surfaces.
· Setting out and line‑mark sports pitches using official governing body rules, including arcs, semi‑circles and the 3‑4‑5 method.
· Preparing and operate turf‑care machinery safely, including mowers, tractors and specialist renovation equipment.
· Managing soil moisture levels through effective use of irrigation and drainage systems.
· Inspecting turf health and diagnose issues, such as weeds, pests, diseases and thatch build‑up.
· Carrying out turf renovation tasks like overseeding, turfing and repairing divots, foot holes or surface damage.
· Identifying key turfgrass species commonly used in sports turf management.
· Maintaining sports turf through aeration, scarification and cylinder mowing to achieve required performance standards.
· Communicating clearly with clients, colleagues and suppliers, using verbal, written and digital methods.
· Applying safe and sustainable working practices, including correct waste disposal and systematic troubleshooting.
· And much more.
Training takes place in person every 2 weeks at the college.
Qualifications Awarded
· Apprenticeship Certificate
· Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
· Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
For the right person, this apprenticeship can lead to a permanent role.
Desired skills and personal qualities
You don’t need prior experience, we’ll teach you everything. What matters most is your attitude. We’re looking for someone who is:
· Keen to learn and develop new skills
· Reliable and takes pride in their work
· Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
· A good team player with strong communication
· Practical and willing to get stuck in
· Detail oriented with a positive attitude
Benefits
· Free on-site parking
· 2-course lunch provided free of charge every day
· Swimming pool and fitness facilities available to use at designated times
· Tea and coffee available throughout the day
· Employee Assistance Programme
· Workplace Pension Scheme
Things to consider
· Some weekend working is required.
· Having access to your own transport/ a driving license is highly recommended due to the location and tasks undertaken.
· 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.
· You MUST be located in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
· Typical duration of the apprenticeship is around 18 months.
Pay: £16,640.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
