Course Title: Y10 Course Details for...
Skills for Working Life – Landbased

September 2010 – May 2011

Student Version

Provider: Bicton College

Day(s) course offered: Wednesday & Friday

Course Description:

On the Skills for Working Life Course the students learn a range of landbased practical skills all based on our college grounds and farm. We try to have practical sessions every week – even if the weather is not that good!

The course will include how to handle, feed, care and look after a range of animals including small animals (eg. pet mammals, reptiles, birds and fish), farm animals and horses. We use naturally occurring opportunities and encourage involvement at busy times on the units such as lambing and calving times on the farm.

It will also include tree and plant recognition, fencing, creating footpaths, planting and general use of a range of landscaping tools. The students also learn about the countryside and how to care for it.  

Other subjects covered include Preparing for Work units and Personal and Social Development. The teaching and assessment of these subjects is usually embedded in the practical subjects covered.

A small amount of paperwork is needed for the students’ portfolios although most of the assessment is through practical observations.

Quotes from previous students on this course:

‘I really enjoy working outside and seeing the farm animals.’

The best part is learning about the small animals and feeding and looking after them.’

‘I like it because it’s not like school and we get to do things and learn instead of writing all the time.’

‘I love the way we are in charge of looking after the animals. It means we are responsible and I like that.’

‘I like being able to work outside with tools and make things’

‘Being treated like an adult is good’