Have you ever wondered how a plant works, what a banana tree looks like, why some plants eat insects or how some plants grow from just one leaf? In our lessons, students learn all about that and much more! Boys mow the lawns, work on their own plot, plant seeds and pot them on, plant out, harvest and taste their own work. Boys sell their produce including flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs and have the chance to learn outside as well as inside the classroom. What’s more, they can also receive a City and Guilds Horticultural Skills qualification in Year 11 – where else could they do that?
The Technical Award in Horticulture at Brymore goes beyond the basic City and Guilds requirements. We pride ourselves on expecting boys to know and understand the science behind the practical work they do, studying a range of concepts, from soil composition to propagation, including hands on experience of pruning.
We are one of very few schools to be accredited by the Royal Horticultural Society, in recognition of the work we do with boys and have firm links with the National Trust, who are currently working with us to develop a series of educational visits to gardens and nurseries, as well as natural areas managed by the Trust to further deepen the quality of the City and Guilds experience.
Boys are expected to complete Garden Duties after school, working in the school grounds to maintain borders and lawns. Thus, we expect them to learn the importance of reliability, diligence and dedication, not to mention physical effort. The course being studied has close links with the Environmental and Land Based GCSE, which boys currently have the opportunity to study as part of the science curriculum. The facilities at Brymore offer boys a chance to work in a genuine ‘workplace’ and learn the value of patience, attention to detail and skill when it comes to plant production.
What does City and Guilds Technical Award involve?
EXAM BOARD: City and Guilds Level 2
KEY TOPICS COVERED: Theory; Soil science (how soil is formed, different types of soil, improving soil etc), fertilisers, growing crops and looking after them, pests and diseases.
How many exams do I take and when?
There is no – simply an assessed assignment in Year 11 and an exam at the end of the course.
Extras: Students who study Horticulture will also have the opportunity to have their own plot, make use of our heated greenhouse to bring on their plants and also apply to become a Head of Department.
Also, we have equipment for KS4 students to use in lessons and at other times when supervised.
This subject enables students to become familiar with working practices and ethics acceptable in industry and there will be an opportunity for students to visit other horticultural establishments during the course.
Head of Horticulture – Mr R Willcocks
