LLANDAFF CARDIFF

Applications are invited for the post of Apprentice Groundsperson (full time, 2-year fixed term) Required from September 2026

The School

The Cathedral School in Llandaff is the leading independent school in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. It educates approx. 800 students, boys and girls, aged from 3 – 18.

The school is located on an attractive campus adjacent to the ancient Llandaff Cathedral. It was founded in 1880 as a choir school to provide choristers to the Cathedral, and this tradition continues today.

The Cathedral School is a member of the Woodard family of schools and is the only Anglican choir school in Wales. The Christian faith is central to the life of the school and all members of staff are expected to actively promote the aims of a Christian school, to support the Woodard ethos, to contribute willingly and generously of their time and commitment to school life, and to sincerely seek to do and to be their best.

We are committed to a policy of equality and aim to ensure that no job applicant, member of staff, student or other member of the school community is treated less favourably on grounds of race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital or civil partner status, disability or age. It is recognised and welcomed that teaching and support staff will come to the school with a variety of faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.

In addition to membership of the Woodard Corporation, the Cathedral School is a member of the HMC, the Society of Heads, IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools) and also of the Choir Schools’ Association.

The School’s Aims

The school offers a broad curriculum which it aspires to deliver through the highest standards of teaching. It is expected that students will progress within the school until A-level. The school not only prides itself on its musical, academic, sporting and artistic achievements, but also on its ability to challenge and motivate all of its students. We want children to take risks in the classroom, not to be afraid of getting it wrong, but rather to be confident enough to ask questions and think for themselves. All children have talents and gifts, both in and out of the classroom, and we are always looking to identify and celebrate these at every opportunity.

At The Cathedral School young people from all faiths and traditions, or none at all, flourish in our rich, diverse culture enabling them to lead full and creative adult lives. Ultimately, our aim is to equip our young people with the skills, abilities, interests, experiences, qualifications and, most importantly, vision and values to be the best that they can be;

to respect and care for others; and to spend their lives promoting the common good. We hope that each of them will, in some way either great or small, make the world a better place.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a reliable, enthusiastic and practically minded Apprentice Groundsperson on a full-time basis from September 2026 or as soon as possible, for a fixed two-year period. The successful candidate will be working with the Head Groundsperson and wider Grounds Team ensuring the delivery of:

1. Well maintained lawns throughout the year;

2. Preparation of sports pitches and cricket squares; and

3. High standards of presentation across the whole site.

Should you choose to apply we look forward to meeting you, showing you what we do and hearing what you can offer. We are a friendly, good-humoured and supportive team, and look forward to welcoming you to the school. If you would like any additional information about the role, please contact Mr David Paris via PremisesManager@cathedralschool.co.uk.

Key Duties

These include:

Completion of a relevant Level 2 course in Horticulture as a day release element;

• Maintaining and presenting all grassed areas to a high standard;

Ensuring the entrance and verges on the school drive are neat and tidy;

• Assisting in managing woodlands and planted areas;

Erecting fencing and posts under supervision;

• Sweeping courtyards and collecting fallen leaves;

• Use a range of horticultural and other machinery and equipment in the day-to-day management of the grounds, sports pitches, and wider estate;

• Work within the health and safety standard set, particularly for the use of machinery and when working around pupils and colleagues, including use of personal protective equipment;

• Under the direction of the Head Groundsperson, preparing and maintaining the sports facilities at the main school site, to recognised national standards and to the satisfaction of all users;

• Providing grounds staff support to sports fixtures/events when required, including occasional weekends;

• Assisting the Head Groundsperson in changing sports equipment each term;

Helping with set up for events;

• Supporting weekly, monthly and annual agreed maintenance programmes for all facilities.

Additional Duties

• Snow clearance and salting/gritting of path and roadways;

• Monitor the condition of tools, equipment and machinery, maintaining and cleaning them to maximise their lifespan under supervision;

Clean courtyards and play areas and washing down signs;

Empty bins and litter picking;

Move furniture and heavy objects around site;

• Organise the grounds sheds to ensure that the space and resources are used effectively;

• Look to employ new methods to increase efficiency;

• Support colleagues in the grounds and maintenance teams in order to ensure all Premises work is completed in order of priority;

Attend regular team meetings;

• Attend training events identified, such as safeguarding or health and safety;

• Take immediate action to minimise risks or concerns identified about the school’s estate, by reporting the risk or concern to the Premises Manager;

• Support the team to ensure the safe storage of the grounds tools and chemicals, such as herbicides, in accordance with the school’s control policies (COSHH);

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Premises Manager or Head Groundsperson.

Whole School Responsibilities

All school staff are expected to:

• Support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding students;

• Work towards and support the school vision, ethos and the current objectives outlined in the School Development Plan;

• Comply with policies and procedures of the school, including those referred to in the Staff Handbook;

• Work within the school’s Health and Safety Policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors;

• Work within the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective;

• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues;

Be actively engaged with and committed to your own continued professional development, above and beyond the college element of the apprenticeship, by participating in training and keeping up to date with current procedures and practices;

• Contribute to and support the wider life of the school, eg. attending open days where appropriate and attending other functions and events; and

• Undertake such other reasonable duties related to the job purpose as required from time to time.

This Job Description is not exhaustive and is subject to regular review.

Person Specification

Essential skills

Ability to work as an Apprentice Groundsperson;

Hardworking;

• Ability to reflect on personal practice and a desire to continually improve standards in the school’s grounds;

• A willingness to learn new skills above and beyond those required for the completion of the college element of the apprenticeship.

Desirable skills

• An interest in sports or sports pitch maintenance;

An understanding of field markings;

An interest in wider premises management.

Eligibility

Be 16 or older and not in full-time education;

Have the right to work in the UK;

• Ability to attend college in person as required, starting no later than 25 September 2026.

Personal Characteristics

• Show a clear understanding of, and sympathy with, the Christian faith;

• Be able to build excellent working relationships with colleagues, and be committed to a good team ethic;

High personal standards of appearance, behaviour and punctuality;

Resilience to the unpredictability of the British weather;

• Commitment to academic as well as on-the-job learning;

• Ability to establish a good rapport with children, parents and visitors, nurturing positive relationships;

• A flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and willingness to occasionally work outside normal hours when required;

• Able to see tasks through to completion, and within set timeframes;

Reliable and trustworthy;

• A sense of humour!

Salary, Holidays and Staff Benefits

The salary for this post will be £20,182.50 per annum (£10.35 per hour) in year one, and in line with National Minimum Wage in year two, based on 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, including one day release for attendance at college. The normal hours of work will be 7.00am until 3.00pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, although some flexibility is required to accommodate seasonal variations.

Weekend working will be required on an occasional basis during term time to assist with school Saturday sports fixtures.
Overtime payments may be made, or time off in lieu granted, for any weekend hours worked.

You will be entitled to 6 weeks’ paid holiday, plus bank holidays.

Staff are enrolled into an ‘auto-enrolment’ pension scheme. The school day is slightly longer than in the state sector, however the holidays are significantly more generous. The school provides outdoor clothing for the Premises team and all staff are provided with lunch daily, free of charge. The professional development of staff is a high priority. The school is an exciting, challenging and rewarding place to work.

Application Procedure

Please download and complete the application form and email it, together with a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, to Mrs Clare Sherwood, Head, via workforus@cathedral-school.co.uk.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 02 September 2026 at midnight, and interviews will take place Tuesday 07 September 2026.

Further information about the school, including details of our Equal Opportunities Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy, are available at www.cathedral-school.co.uk.

Child Protection

The Cathedral School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with any previous employer, as considered appropriate, and a criminal record check via the Disclosure & Barring Service. They will be expected to uphold the school’s Safeguarding Policy (copy on website) at all times.

Clare Sherwood,

Head