Course modules
Year 1
Prepare ground for seeding or planting
Students will prepare a site for planting or seed sowing.
Sow grass seeds by hand
Learners will develop the skills required to calculate the area to be sown, mark it out, weigh out the grass seed and sow it evenly.
Apply fertiliser by hand to bare ground
Students will develop the skills required to weigh out and apply fertiliser accurately by hand and incorporate it into the soil surface ready for sowing/planting.
Repair areas of damaged turf with seed
Students will learn how to repair damaged area with grass seed to meet facility requirements
Use of litter/leaf blower
Students will learn how to prepare the machine for a task and clear an area of litter/leaves to produce a visual acceptable appearance
Use wheeled rotary mowers
The learner will prepare a machine for a task and mow the area to produce visually acceptable appearance.
Scarify turf by hand
Students will scarify turf, collect and dispose of debris
Aerate turf by hand
The learner will aerate turf to a specified depth.
Edge turf with shears
Using hand-operated edging shears the student will learn how to edge lawns, leaving a visually acceptable appearance.
Prepare soil and apply an organic mulch
Students will develop the skills in the application of an organic mulch to an appropriate and consistent thickness.
Care for a planted area
The aim of the unit is to enable learners to develop the skills required to recognise and remove unwanted weeds, leaves or other debris, cultivate the soil surface and maintain an acceptable visual appearance.
Year 2
Prune hedges by hand
Students will learn to prune hedges using hand shears, loppers and secateurs
Prune shrubs for winter stem colour
The aim of the unit is to enable learners to develop the skills required to prune shrubs for winter stem colour, maintaining the health and vigour of the plants
Use cylinder mowers
This unit covers the skills necessary for a learner to prepare a machine for a task and mow the area to produce visually acceptable appearance.
Use a nylon cord strimmer
Students will learn how to prepare the machine for the task, cut growth to produce visually acceptable appearance and maintain turf health.
Edge and rake golf bunkers
This unit covers the skills necessary to maintain a golf bunker/sand trap and leave it ready for play.
Over mark sports lines
In this unit, students will learn to apply marking materials and correctly measure basic shapes.
Remove dew from fine turf
Students will remove dew from the turf surface to maintain plant health and facilitate further operations.
Place sports equipment
The aim of the unit is to enable learners to develop the skills required to place sports equipment safely and effectively to meet appropriate sports governing body requirements
Maintain wooden structures with water based preservativ
The aim of the unit is to enable learners to develop the skills required to prepare wooden structures and apply surface treatments with water-based preservative to prevent decay and maintain the visual appearance
Principles of the maintenance of equipment
The candidate will be able to describe the maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery using hand tools and how to comply with all health and safety requirements
Principles of maintaining grass surfaces
This unit will enable to candidate to describe how to maintain grass surfaces by mowing, edging and watering; using pedestrian-operated machinery and hand tools and comply with all health and safety requirements
Entry requirements & additional information
Entry requirements
Learners need to be 14 years of age or over and be interested in maintenance of sports surfaces e.g. cricket, football and golf with functional English, Maths and Science skills.
Your school or Home Educating Parent or Guardian must complete Application Form Part B before your application will be processed.
Learning and assessment
You will learn and practice maintenance skills in practical sessions with relevant background information also covered. The course is assessed by practical assessment and theory based assessment work.
Progression
The successfully completion of course will lead to progression on to Further Education courses at the College or work based apprenticeships.
Careers
The knowledge and practical skills gained through this course would allow entry into the sports turf sector.
Special requirements
Sensible outdoor clothing is expected for practical work. Steel toe capped boots/Wellingtons are essential. Tetanus vaccination up to date.
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