Horticulture

An ideal training environment for students wishing to pursue a horticultural career, it has a well-deserved reputation for innovation and is continually updating its range of learning opportunities. There is a strong emphasis on practical work covering all aspects of horticultural skills for all abilities.

Mr. McGregor’s Patch and the vegetable production garden are allotment areas where students can be involved in growing organic vegetables and can understand how these vegetables can be essential for staying healthy; these vegetables are also sold through Young’s Farm Shop. Students also have the opportunity to work in the large walled garden area, which constantly changes with the seasons, and can be involved in growing a wide range of plants.

The department has purpose-built facilities including a production glasshouse which has been specifically built to suit the students’ individual needs. It has moveable benches to allow for wheelchair access and this greenhouse is in use all through the year producing plants for the garden centre. We also have a sales greenhouse, which is situated within the Garden Centre, where students carry out tasks such as pricing up plants and displaying them on presentation beds and benches. The Garden Centre provides the students with a realistic working environment as students are involved in many tasks geared towards the efficient running and maintenance of a garden centre.

Many of the students undertake work experience in the community. At present, there are student groups working at an organic farm, a local woodland area and individual students undertaking work experience at a local country park.

The Horticulture Department offers Foundation Learning programmes at Entry Level and Level 1 leading to a destination in supported employment and accreditation in:
 
Horticulture Skills Level 1
NVQ Commercial Horticulture Level 1
EDEXCEL Land Based Entry Level 2
OCN Units in Horticulture