Launching the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Chengelo School!

WELCOME

Welcome to the the Chengelo Training Farm blog! This is the first post on a blog which will be looking at the different sides to CTF but mostly focusing on our brand new BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture.
This course has been a year in the planning stage and we finally launched it at the beginning of January.
It is being run by Chengelo School, with support from Chengelo Training Farm and Aplan Estates.
We are excited to have 15 students on the course, 8 of whom are on the 2 year Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A-levels) course, and 7 are on the 2 year Subsidiary Diploma (equivalent to 1 A-level).

Mr Holding in his seed maize, with the eight new Extended Diploma students. The students were observing damage caused by army worm, and learning about scouting for pests and diseases.

For the Extended Diploma students, the course consists of the following units:

YEAR 1

1. Animal Anatomy & Physiology
2. Plant Science
3. Soil Science
4. Livestock Production
5. Crop Production
6. Business Planning & Improvement in the Land-Based Sector
7. Root Crop & Field Vegetable Production
8. Beef Production
9. Grassland Management
10. Land-Based Machinery Operations

YEAR 2

1. Investigative Project in the Land-Based Sector
2. Work Related Experience in the Land-Based Industries
3. Business Management in the Land-Based Sector
4. Principles of Land-Based Machinery
5. Poultry Production
6. Livestock Breeding & Nutrition
7. Dairy Production
8. Mechanised Agricultural Crop Handling & Storage
9. Pig Production

The Subsidiary Diploma students will be studying:

YEAR 1:

1. Plant Science
2. Soil Science
3. Livestock Production
4. Crop Production

YEAR 2

1. Business Management in the Land-Based Sector
2. Principles of Land-Based Machinery
3. Livestock Breeding & Nutrition.

The programme give the students the experience, knowledge and qualifications necessary for a wide range of careers within the agricultural industry. The course is ideal for those who want to be involved with running a farm or are interested in allied industries such as machinery sales, animal nutrition, seed, fertiliser and agrochemical supply, to mention but a few!
This course will help students to develop the vocational knowledge, understanding and skills that are
required for employment.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE? 

The course will be continually assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations,
case studies, assignments and practical assessments.
Students will be taught through classroom-based lessons, practical sessions, visiting speakers and through working at Chengelo Training Farm and other local commercial farms. One day each week will be set aside for practical work experience and farm visits.

AGRICULTURAL FACILITES 

The majority of the practical aspects of the course will be taught at Chengelo Training Farm and Aplan Estates.
Chengelo Training Farm is part of Chengelo School and comprises of a Jersey dairy herd, a 10-sow pig unit, layer chickens, a butchery and drip-irrigated vegetable garden and orchard.
Aplan Estates is a commercial farm, close to Chengelo School and run by Mr Holding.
As well as teaching the students Mr Holding has also given us permission to his farm for delivering the BTEC course. Aplan Estates is an irrigated farm and grows potatoes, wheat, soya beans, seed maize and has a herd of Sussex cattle.
Training will take place on both these farms and students will also have the chance to complete work experience on some of the other commercial farms in Mkushi.

More posts will follow, so keep checking to see what our students are getting up to!

For more information about the course, please contact Chengelo School through the website http://www.chengeloschool.org/.
You can also find out more about Chengelo School on their Facebook page at  https://web.facebook.com/chengeloschool .