Apprentice Gardener
Oakham School
Rutland
- New
- Salary:
- Meets National Minimum Wage
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 16 March 2026
Job overview
Are you passionate about horticulture and the outdoors? We're looking for an enthusiastic and hardworking individual to join our Grounds & Gardens team, helping to maintain and present the beautiful grounds and gardens of our School to the highest standards.
The Role
Working as part of a dedicated team you will play a hands-on role in keeping our grounds looking their best throughout the seasons. Day-to-day responsibilities include weeding, planting, pruning, mulching, mowing, edging and general lawncare, as well as preparing beds and borders for seasonal planting. You'll also be responsible for the safe use and maintenance of a range of hand tools and machinery, including strimmers, hedge cutters, and mowers.
Training & Development
We're committed to investing in our team. The successful candidate will be supported to complete an NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture through a recommended training provider, along with PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates.
Hours & Benefits
This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm. You'll enjoy 28 days' annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, with some seasonal flexibility around core hours. Overtime may be required at certain times of year and will be compensated through pay or time off in lieu.
What We're Looking For
You'll have a genuine interest in horticulture and a willingness to learn. Whether you're just starting out in your career or already have some hands-on experience, we'd love to hear from you. A good understanding of health and safety practices is important, as is a reliable, team-focused attitude and a pride in your work.
Attached documents
Recruiter contact:
About Oakham School
Oakham is a vibrant, fully co-educational boarding and day school for 10–18 year olds.
Our uniquely structured student population – with 50% girls and 50% boys, and 50% of pupils boarding and 50% being day pupils – creates a genuinely inclusive and grounded school community who generate a caring, friendly and warm atmosphere.
Whilst we are proud of our 400-year heritage, our priority is always to be at the forefront of educational developments. We were one of the first independent schools to move to co-education in 1971 and we were also one of the first schools to introduce the IB Diploma, alongside A-levels. We continue to look to the future and our focus now, in today’s digital world, is on effectively teaching pupils Information Literacy.
Oakham’s strength lies in providing a spectacularly wide range of opportunities and activities which sit alongside an invigorating and challenging academic curriculum. At 16+ we offer the choice between the IB Diploma and A-levels and other standalone qualifications. We are currently introducing the IB Middle Years Programme for students in Forms 1 to 3. Over many years, the School has not only been incredibly successful academically, but it is also recognised nationally for its outstanding achievements in sport, music, drama and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
The School has benefited from significant investment in recent years. The latest improvements include a new classroom block for the Humanities, a stunning state-of-the-art Faculty of Social Sciences, fantastic Science facilities, a purpose-built Medical and Pastoral Centre and a major redevelopment of the Sports Centre.
The School’s location close to Rutland Water, in the heart of rural England, means our pupils and staff are able to enjoy the safety of living and working in a beautifully green campus just a few minutes’ walk from Oakham’s historic town centre and amenities. At the same time Oakham’s excellent road and rail links mean that London, Birmingham and Cambridge are all within easy reach.
Headmaster
Henry Price
Values and vision
Whilst academic excellence lies at the heart of everything we do, our focus goes far beyond just encouraging our pupils to achieve outstanding results in their examinations. Our genuinely holistic approach to education means that pupils leave Oakham as intellectually ambitious thinkers, who are effective and independent learners, well equipped with the skills and habits of mind to thrive in tomorrow’s world.
ISI
“The quality of the pupils’ academic achievements is excellent.”
“The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.”
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