Schools, Colleges and Universities

Independent Schools

School Sports turf and landscape presentation form a crucial impact on how a school or institution is presented to the parents, students and wider society. The “playing fields of Eton” theme runs long and hard through the British Psyche. Our Principal Consultant Noel MacKenzie knew, as an Independent School Head Groundsman, that the presentation of that institution’s grounds and landscape was a crucial part of its success in attracting the right calibre of customer and giving their student the quality of surroundings they deserved.

Independent schools know the benefit of school sports and how they fulfil in their role as “Outdoor Classrooms”. They are areas used hard with afternoon sporting activity for the whole school forming a strong part of school life in terms of participation, mental and physical wellbeing and sporting achievement. Furthermore, sport forms a key part of building wider relationships between schools and their grounds are an important element of pride between institutions.

Investing in outdoor facilities is crucial in meeting these principals and achieving presentation that is second to none. Independent schools normally provide multi-sport sites which increases demands on Groundstaff due to the breadth and scale of operations, the diverse requirements of the maintenance operations and the need to swiftly turn surfaces between terms.

School Sports turf and landscape presentation form a crucial impact on how a school or institution is presented to the parents, students and wider society. The “playing fields of Eton” theme runs long and hard through the British Psyche and is a fundamental part of “selling” as school to potential students and parents. Our Principal Consultant Noel MacKenzie knew, as an Independent School Head Groundsman, that the presentation of that institution’s grounds and landscape was a crucial part of its success in attracting the right calibre of customer and giving their student the quality playing surface and surroundings they deserved.

Noel MacKenzie brings to your site the track record of having performed as a Head Groundsman in this environment himself and understands the conflicting and diverse demands and challenges that multi-sports Independent School grounds managers and staff face. Noel’s expert knowledge in soil science, management techniques and experience at a high level in all major sports ensure he is in a strong position to support Grounds, Sports and /Bursary staff and your Institution as a whole.

Crucially, Noel also brings an awareness of the complexity of managing all the resources and demands of such sites. He understands the complex human and departmental relationships that may prevail and the management of expectations which often far exceed the reality of what is possible with existing budgets and resources. He has experience and the necessary training to support institutions in their recruitment and selection process for senior staff positions and can coach and provide professional support for the Grounds Manager beyond the technical Agronomy aspect.

State Schools and Academies

Unfortunately funding for state school sporting facilities is very low and this leaves students and schools at risk from injury and claims for compensation, especially by poor quality sports ground builds installed by developers as part of section 106 funding. Academies fair slightly better and can put some resources into sports grounds when funding allows but these are seldom abundant. Although all schools are under financial pressure we encourage Education Authorities as well as Schools and Academies to contact us and seek our support. With multiple sites likely to be managed by many authorities this allows a cost effective support service. Typically the school sports field is one of the least invested in classroom areas within education.

DBS Check –Noel MacKenzie holds an advanced DBS check due to his voluntary work coaching but we will happily submit to DBS checks for individual institutions.

Universities and Colleges

Sport plays an important part of many College and University sites although like state schools funding can be tight and restrictive on their care. Due to the scale of use and the high standard, indeed professional level ability of some athletes, there is an important emphasis on ensuring good quality turf and especially site safety.

I have known Noel for over 20 years where he has been my go-to source for independent agronomical advice. I have used Noel as my agronomist across 3 Head Groundsman positions, and whether these include basic renovation or maintenance advice or extensive re development designs and input, Noel's has been invaluable. Noel's knowledge and experience of turf management is extensive, but he has so much more to offer the modern Turf Manager with his strategic planning, ecological and man management skills he really is an excellent resource to call upon when needed.

Noels advisory reports are laid out in a very easy to understand format but with full detail, and I use these very much to support my recommendations for turf management programmes, but also as my own auditing tool to demonstrate to my managers that I am doing all I can to improve and manage the turf surfaces.

Neil Dixon
Head of Gardens and Grounds
Kings School
Canterbury

I have known Noel Mackenzie for over 20 years, in a variety of capacities.
His knowledge and thorough approach to agronomy, along with clear, concise reporting has been a tremendous help to me over the years.

Noel was consultant for a major construction project at St James in 2014/15, turning an ex-landfill site into a 2 Hectare sports field.

The project was complex and involved several outside agencies but was delivered to budget and ahead of time.
The new field continues to exceed expectations.

I have no hesitation in recommending Sports Turf Consulting for your agronomy and construction consultancy needs.

Steve Fidler
Head Groundsman
St James Independent Boys School.

Sports Turf Consulting Ltd. has successfully overseen the installation and construction of drainage and new sports facilities for schools and education institutions including athletic tracks, synthetic and natural surfaces. We have been engaged for our Construction services and feasibility studies with a number of clients including;

Merchant Taylors School
St. John’s Preparatory School
Chesham Preparatory School
St James School
Challney Boys School
Putteridge High School (Luton Borough Council)
Dame Alice Owen School
University of Sussex
St. Paul’s School
Richard Lander School
Gayhurst School

Please see our construction services section for further information.

For further information please contact us or call 07739 505862 for an informal discussion

Sports Turf Assessment, Planning, Maintenance and Management

Sports Turf Consulting Limited