The aim of this Level 3 course is to provide you with the skills and knowledge to carry out conservation management work in the countryside in relation to woodland management.

The Course
The six-unit BTEC National Award offers a specialist qualification that focuses on particular aspects of employment within the sector. As such the Award offers a qualification which can extend the study and provide vocational emphasis for learners following an AVCE or GCSE route or a combination of both in their main programme of study. Equally the BTEC National Award offers a focused qualification for learners, particularly more mature learners, who wish to follow a shorter programme of study that is directly related to their work experience or to an aspect of employment that they wish to move into in due course.

The BTEC National Award in Countryside Management provides the underpinning knowledge and understanding for those in employment within the broad area of countryside who would like to obtain a level 3 qualification in Countryside Management (Woodland Management). This qualification would be particularly useful to those already employed in the industry and wishing to gain a specialist qualification. It may be attractive to learners who are unable to commit to the study time required by the BTEC National Certificate and/or Diploma.

Attendance on 2 days per week will enable completion in one year, whilst attendance on one day per week will require 2 years for completion. Days of attendance are dependent upon choice and order of units studied.

Course Content
To achieve the final award 6 units must be completed; one core unit and 5 specialist units.

Core Unit
• Specialist project study

Specialist Units - 5 from:

• Sustainable development
• Principles of plant and soil science
• Ecology and conservation
• Ecology of trees, woods and forests
• Forest woodland management
• Tree biology
• Classification and identification

Full details of the content of these units are available on the Edexcel website: www.edexcel.org.uk/qualifications and select BTEC Nationals - Land Based, followed by course title.

Entry Requirements
You are welcome to visit the College to discuss with the course tutor a study programme that will help towards your intended career. All students are assessed on an individual basis but the normal entry requirement is either:
• Intermediate Level GNVQ
• Edexcel First Diploma
• 4 GCSE passes at grade A – C, including one science subject
• Other qualifications of equivalent standard
• Relevant experience or Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) in Countryside Management.

Training and Assessments Methods
Your training will include:
• an emphasis on practical skills
• the opportunity to gain interpersonal and communications key skills, important for working as part of   a team and with the general public
• visits to a variety of arboreta, woodlands, nature reserves, country parks and urban greenspace sites
• an appreciation of business and IT key skills and how they relate to the environment and the industry
• working in ‘real life’ situations including our 167 acre organic farm
• the opportunity to gain certificated NPTC or LANTRA chainsaw awards (additional cost)
• a broad understanding of environmental issues will be of value throughout your life.

You will be assessed through practical and/or written assignments and end of unit tests throughout the course. Your work will be marked at Distinction, Merit and Pass grades. There is no end of course examination; however the Specialist Project unit will be externally assessed by an Integrated Vocational Assessment.

Qualifications Gained
Success on this course results in the nationally recognised qualification of a National Award in Countryside Management (Woodland Management).

There is an opportunity to gain additional qualifications eg LANTRA/NPTC chainsaw or First Aid Certificates (for which additional fees will be charged).

Students under 19 years will also study Level 2/3 Key Skills unless already holding equivalent qualifications with 19+ having the opportunity to do so.

Progression
Success in this course will enable progression to a National Certificate or Diploma or enter the industry at a foundation level.

Venue and Facilities
This course takes place at Capel Manor's main campus in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield. The main college site is an 18 th century manor house situated within thirty acres of estate, which is open to the public. Most core unit will be studied in and around the house and gardens.

Practical sessions are carried out on our 167 acre farm and at a range of amenity woodland and countryside sites within Hertfordshire and Essex.
We pride ourselves in performing ‘real life’ arboricultural tasks working on projects with the Lee Valley Regional Park, Thames Water, local Wildlife Trusts and private landowners, which gives first hand experience of the industry.

Working in the Industry
Tree companies are often small private firms, although there are some larger ones operating regionally or nationally or on contract to local authorities. There is a high demand for skilled, knowledgeable and well trained staff in this industry. Each year companies regularly mail the College with their employment vacancies.

During the past twenty years the opportunities for employment in countryside and conservation work have expanded greatly. At present there is a steady demand for staff with practical countryside skills and, with changes in agriculture and a greater awareness of environmental issues, the demand is increasing.

Fees

Study		Day	Start Date	Course Time	19+ Annual Tuition Fee	19+ Reg Fee	Length
Full-time			Sept	9am-4pm	£396	£125	1 year
Part-time		Flexi	Sept	9am-4pm	£198	£120	Flexi

Please note that exam fees may be subject to change by the awarding bodies

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