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 geared towards Commercial Horticulture covering all aspects of horticultural skills for all abilities.
The vegetable production gardens are allotment areas where students can be involved in growing organic vegetables and understand how these vegetables can be essential for staying healthy; these vegetables are also sold in Young’s Farm Shop. Students also have the opportunity to work in the large walled garden area, which constantly changes with the seasons, and be involved in the growing of 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. There is also a sales greenhouse, 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 students with a realistic working environment as they are involved in many tasks geared towards the efficient running and maintenance of a garden centre. In addition, Horticulture students can follow a course in Floristry.
Students can also undertake work experience within the local community. At present, there are students working at an organic farm, a local country park and a Victorian Garden near Wrexham. Horticulture students also work in partnership with students from the Retail department attending farmers markets once a month in Oswestry and Whitchurch. These have proved very popular with the students.
- City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture
- Edexcel Award in Land-Based Studies at Entry 3 and Level 1
- Agored Cymru Entry Level units in Horticulture and Floristry
- Edexcel Personal Progress Entry 1 Award
