Bicton College

Featured Courses

Horticulture & Landscape Operative Intermediate Apprenticeship

Level 2 • Work-based • Bicton College

Horticulture and Landscape Operatives can be employed to work in public parks and gardens, green spaces and historic gardens, private gardens and estates or in production nurseries and retail outlets. Many businesses will be specialised in their activities; such as grounds maintenance (soft-landscape) or landscape construction (hard-landscape). Soft- landscaping includes the establishment and maintenance of plants and cultivated areas. Hard-landscaping includes establishment of hard surfaces and structures in addition to the establishment of plants in cultivated areas. The distinct nature of these two specialisms means very few businesses can offer the full breadth of skills and therefore two options are available for this occupation; horticulture and landscape construction. The employment area will dictate the option pursued. Work is generally based outside and undertaken throughout the year, so apprentices will frequently work outside in all weathers. Often people new to the industry will start in a ‘hands-on’ role covering a range of practical tasks, with specialist skills being learnt through progression. A wide range of machinery and tools are used and additional training may be required depending on the nature of the works undertaken. Working and learning in the horticulture and landscape industries is rewarding, offers a diverse range of employment opportunities and includes a range of skills that are transferrable into many other industries. While learning the practical side of Horticulture with your employer, you will also be required to attend college on a block release programme. While studying at Bicton College you can take advantage of the College’s estate, which houses an arboretum with veteran and specimen trees, grounds, gardens Inc. a walled garden, glasshouses, growing tunnels and over 200 acres of extensive parklands with plenty of opportunities for you to develop your Horticulture skills. Do you live far from the college? No problem! Accommodation is available on site! Prior to end-point-assessment you will need to achieve these qualifications: • Emergency first aid: Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work. • Pesticides: Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides *All the above are included in the apprenticeship While learning the practical side of Horticulture with your employer, you will also be required to attend college on a block release programme. While studying at Bicton College you can take advantage of the College’s estate, which houses an arboretum with veteran and specimen trees, grounds, gardens Inc. a walled garden, glasshouses, growing tunnels and over 200 acres of extensive parklands with plenty of opportunities for you to develop your Horticulture skills. Do you live far from the college? No problem! Accommodation is available on site! For more information please visit: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/landscape-horticulture-supervisor/

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Land-Based Studies (Agriculture) City & Guilds Diploma

Level 1 • Full-time • Bicton College

There are a wide range of exciting job opportunities available within the agricultural industry working with both livestock and machinery. The industry is in need of young, enthusiastic individuals that enjoy working both outside and inside and have a range of practical and employability skills. Our Level 1 course is a foundation programme aimed at individuals with a keen interest in agriculture and a desire to develop a greater understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the industry. Many of these skills will also be transferable to a range of other land based sectors, increasing your career opportunities. You will be learning from experienced agriculturalists both inside the classroom and on the college farm and could be milking our herd of dairy cows, lambing our flock of sheep or ploughing a field before we plant our maize crop. You will also spend some of your course time working alongside the farm staff and following the farm activities as you progress through the year. You could be selecting ewes for breeding in September, fencing in October, calving cows in February or shearing a ewe in May. This course will give you the opportunity to develop your confidence whilst gaining knowledge and practical skills. You will also learn more general skills required to gain employment or to continue in education. As a Level 1 course this diploma is all about introducing you to the agricultural industry and developing the skills that you already have to give you the very best opportunity to move onto a more technical agriculture course or enter the industry as an apprentice.

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Animal Management Diploma

Level 3 • Full-time • Bicton College

Our Level 3 Animal Management Diploma at Bicton College offers you the choice of university study or employment on successful completion of your course. There are one and two year options available with this pathway and we will work with you to decide which is best for you. This is a 2 year course but you will need to pass the first year in order to progress onto the second. Caring for animals can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career. From working in kennels and catteries to pet shops, rescue centres or sanctuaries, there is a wide range of careers available on successful completion of your course. With access to an array of animal collections on campus you will gain the practical training you need to pursue a career in this exciting industry. Our state of the art animal husbandry school at Bicton College provides dedicated access to a huge range of animal species such as our monitor lizard, coatis and lemurs. We offer three options for you to start your studies in the animal management industry depending on your GCSE results, our Level 2 and Level 1 courses are ideal should your GCSEs not be what you expected, with the option to progress to Level 2 or Level 3.

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Foundation Learning Skills Pathway: Skills Towards Vocational Studies

Entry Level • Full-time • Bicton College

The FL Skills Pathway develops and prepares you for further studies or employment, through a blend of practical and classroom-based learning. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of vocational options: utilising cross-college departments to gain an insight in to different areas and develop your skills through internal employment based experiences. The invaluable opportunity for work placements can also form a part of your learning. This Pathway is offered at different campuses. The vocational options on offer are specific to the campus you choose to study at, where you will benefit from being taught be a range of highly-skilled professionals. Our vision is to support you to be INDEPENDENT, CONFIDENT AND RESILIENT so that you are well-prepared to engage with the wider community. The Skills Towards Vocational Studies course will give you a range of opportunities and experiences to inform your future steps and assist with your progression.

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Facilities

Learning Centre

The Learning Centres (LCs) offer a range of resources, facilities and support for your studies In each Learning Centre you will find a range of resources and staff who can help with:
• Finding and using books, ebooks and journals
• Support for developing your study and research skills, including using the Internet for research and avoiding plagiarism
• Help with using college computers and software
We have a network of 9 learning centres across our campuses, resources can be sourced from all.

Opening times:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm (term-time)
Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 7pm (term-time)
Varied opening hours during half terms and holidays.

Restaurant & Café

Bicton Kitchen Restaurant
At the heart of Bicton House, we provide a variety of meals for all dietary requirements and allergies.

Opening times:
Monday – Friday:
7.30am – 9.30am (Breakfast)
9.30am – 12noon (Hot Snacks)
12noon – 1.45pm (Lunch)
2pm – 4pm (Snacks & Homemade Cakes)
5pm – 6.15pm (Dinner)

Saturday – Sunday:
11am – 2.30pm (Lunch)
4pm – 6pm (Dinner), call to order a meal.

Café Neo
Freshly Brewed Barista Coffee and tasty treats, the Café is the hub for students to connect and relax.

Opening times:
Monday – Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm

Residential Accommodation

We understand that feeling settled within your environment gives you a much better chance of enjoying your course. We offer 231 beds, situated on the Bicton College campus. Layouts include two/three bed shared rooms with a shared facilities, single room with shared bathroom facilities and ensuite room. All blocks have common rooms. We also have rooms and facilities adapted for students with disabilties.

Bicton’s dedicated Residential Services Team support students in all areas of accommodation, counselling, careers guidance, enrichment activities, funding and transport. We will endeavour to make your time here a truly great experience, both in and outside the classroom.

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Evolve Sport, Fitness & Outdoors

Students are able to take part in free and subsidised sporting and recreational activities. Our College Sportsmaker arranges a varied timetable of activities each term.

The facilities include, 4 court sports hall, football pitches, climbing tower, lake for watersports, orienteering course, and a fitness suite. The College also has a golf putting green and swing studio and employs a full time golf professional.
Sporting activities include; hockey, netball, football, kayaking, horse riding, climbing, running, fitness classes, archery, lacrosse, racket sports, dodgeball and more.

For more information:
Email: sportsmaker@cornwall.ac.uk

Equestrian Centre

The Equestrian Centre provides excellent facilities for full and part-time students and external customers. These include an extended 20m x 61m indoor arena with a Wax Pro surface with mirrors, gallery seating for 148 people, two state of the art teaching rooms, judging areas and staff offices/reception area. In addition there is a 30 x 60 Outdoor arena, 2 full sets of show jumps, Music and PA system, XC-Schooling field, Walker, Weighbridge and Solarium. There are 2 separate yards consisting of 14 traditional stables adjacent to the Indoor School and 24 internal loose boxes in an American Style Barn.
We offer a range of Livery options, from Working Livery to Full Livery.

For more information and bookings:
Call: 01395 562354
Email: equestrian.centre@bicton.ac.uk

Animal Management Centre

Animal students at Bicton College have access to an extensive animal mangement centre on campus, which includes meerkats, coati, an exotics room, a two-storey marmoset monkey enclosure and an aquarium, along with access to the resources at Dartmoor Zoo

Bicton college Home Farm

Bicton’s Home Farm was purchased in 1947 and over the years it has developed into a thriving educational facility and working farm.

The farm’s core objectives are:
To provide state-of-the-art resources for education and practical training.
To generate a financial surplus for re-investment.
To show efficient methods of production and demonstrate leading practices in land use.
To provide Devon’s agricultural industry with innovative and sustainable pathways for the future.

The College farm is run commercially with the aim of producing above average husbandry results and financial returns. A range of practicals and activities are offered to meet the work experience and academic needs of the students undertaking studies in agriculture. Students undertake regular periods of work experience and practical instruction on the units, enabling them to gain a wide appreciation of the differing sectors of agriculture.

Subject Areas

Agriculture & Countryside Management

Animal Management & Veterinary Nursing

Construction

Equine

Foundation Learning

Horticulture, Floristry & Arboriculture

Land-based Engineering & Technology

Military & Protective Services Academy

Teaching & Education

Partnerships

Map

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News

Sustainability tops college timetable during week-long eco conference

12th April 2021

A leading local college is renewing its focus on sustainability by hosting many of Cornwall’s most influential voices from the environmental movement in a series of talks and workshops.

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Senior Army Officer returns to Cornwall College to inspire latest student cohort

31st March 2021

The most senior Warrant Officer in the British Army has inspired the latest generation of students at his former college, encouraging them to consider following in his footsteps.

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Ofsted awards The Cornwall College Group highest judgement – significant progress – following monitoring visit

17th March 2021

Ofsted has awarded the highest possible outcome for The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), following a successful monitoring inspection in February.

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Longleat Bats find new home at Bicton College

28th January 2021

The animal zone of Bicton College welcomed some new arrivals last week, after 30 Egyptian fruit bats from the UK’s top safari park were in need of a new home.

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TV star’s surprise lockdown message inspires students

22nd January 2021

Television presenter and former soldier Ant Middleton surprised Military students from Bicton College with an inspiring video message to help them stay motivated through lockdown.

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