This one year course is designed to give students Level 2 knowledge and the opportunity to acquire the practical skills in the chosen subject. Attendance is required on four days each week with private study organised for the fifth day.

The Course
First Diploma courses consist of 2 core units which provide a background to the industry and 4 option units which address the chosen specialism. A minimum of 200 hours industry experience is included in the core units.

Course Content

The core units are:

• Industry experience
• Industry and Organisations
  (This unit contributes towards the externally assessed IntegratedVocational Assignment IVA)
  
  The option units are:
• Amenity & Decorative Horticulture
• Introduction to Plant Biology
• Estate Skills
• Turf Establishment & Maintenance
  
  Key Skills at Level 2 will be integrated into the course in areas of Numeracy, Literacy and Information Technology.
  
  Some units may be taught with students following other options and cover:-
• Information Technology - including word processing, databases and spreadsheets.
• Industry Experience includes 6 weeks planned industrial placement within your specialism area.
• Industry and Organisations including legislation, health/safety, public and private sector employment, CV and letter writing, interview techniques, career guidance and sustainable development principles
• Amenity and Decorative Horticulture includes planting and maintenance of shrubs and bedding plants, seed sowing, cultivation of borders and tree planting.
• Introduction to Biology including basic biology of the growth, health and nutrition of plants/life cycles.
• Estate Skills - an opportunity to acquire construction and maintenance skills related to estate enterprise
• Turf Establishment and Maintenance
  

Qualifications Gained
Success on this course leads to the nationally recognised award of an Edexcel First Diploma.

Students gaining Edexcel First Diploma may progress to a National Diploma or National Certificate, thus enhancing their career prospects.

Entry Requirements
The course is designed for 16-19 year olds.
Those who enter with at least one of the following are likely to benefit more readily from the programme:-

• A standard of literacy and numeracy supported by a general education equivalent to GCSEs at grade C and above.
• A foundation level GNVQ
• An Edexcel entry vocational skills certificate.
• Appropriate experience/knowledge gained in a related working environment.Individual interviews can be arranged at the College.

Assessments
The course is assessed through practical and written assignments, which are marked at Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. There is no end of year course examination. You will build up a course portfolio as a permanent record of your coursework. The Industry and Organisations core unit contributes towards the externally assessed Integrated Vocational Assignment (IVA).

Facilities
Capel Manor has a good range of indoor and outdoor practical facilities to support all the options. The student support facility is now open with improved library and IT facilities, along with progression centre support.

Fees
Unless stated otherwise, students aged 16-18 are exempt from tuition and registration fees =Interview Required

Study		Day	Start Date	Course Time	19+ Annual Tuition Fee	19+ Reg Fee	Length
Full-time			Sept	9am-4pm	£792	£125	1 year

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

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