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01995 642222

We have received a record number of applications for this programme, for prospective students looking to start with us in September 2024.

We are currently not accepting any further applications.

City and Guilds Level One Certificate/Diploma in Land-based Studies -Agriculture and Countryside (14-16 Programme)

About the course

This course is currently being reviewed. Applications will not open until a decision has been made.

This course provides the skills necessary to either work within the land-based industry or to move onto a full-time College course. The course covers large animals, crops, land management and machinery over the two years. You will learn the theory behind many of the practical skills that are taught and practiced during the course.

Assessment will be carried out in different ways depending on the module and the topic. These will include practical assessments, online tests, case studies and projects. Students will complete one externally marked test in each academic year. Students will complete a certificate qualification in year one and a diploma qualification in year 2.

Parents/Schools, please note when completing the application form you must use child’s name and DOB but the parent/school email and telephone number. All official documents, interview and enrolment information will be emailed on the parent/school email provided and this could be anytime from the time of application through to September. If the email changes it is important you let us know. Failure to do so could lead to the application being withdrawn from the process.

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Course modules

Year 1

Adopt good bio-security practices at work

This unit will able you to assist with maintaining appropriate levels of bio-security in the workplace, including personal hygiene and correct selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Assist with preparing and maintaining livestock accommodation

This unit will allow you to assist with preparing livestock (large animals) accommodation, including any required cleaning to appropriate hygiene levels, providing bedding or other necessary requirements and always meeting the requirements of healthy and safe working.

Assist with the movement and handling of farm animals

This unit will able you to assist with the movement and handling of animals and comply with health and safety requirements.

Care of animals

Within this unit, you will develop confidence and skills that are required daily on livestock farms through a range of tasks associated with observation, safe moving, treating, cleaning and preparing a new environment for farm animals.

Hedgelaying

The purpose of this unit is to enable you to understand the basic history and purpose of hedge laying and develop the basic skills needed to lay a hedge.

Identify weeds

The aim of this unit is to enable you to develop the knowledge required to identify weeds from within either / and arable and grassland fields using nationally accepted common names or botanical names.

Planting and staking a tree

This unit provides you with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to prepare for and plant a tree; provide immediate aftercare and clear up after the planting operation is over.

Principles of good biosecurity

You will be able to describe appropriate levels of bi-security in the workplace, including personal hygiene and correct selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including appropriate health and safety requirements.

Year 2

Assist with preparation and monitoring of livestock outdoors

The unit will allow you to be able to describe preparing outdoor sites to receive livestock, including providing water and checking the condition of feed if necessary. Monitoring of the condition of boundaries is also required and appropriate health and safety requirements.

Carry out tractor operations

The unit covers the principles and practices of the procedures for operating a tractor effectively under a range of conditions.

Introduction to crop systems

Agriculture encompasses a range of enterprises with both livestock and arable farms involved in the production of different crops involving various techniques. This unit provides an introduction into chosen cropping system.

Recognise a healthy farm animal

This unit will enable you to demonstrate their ability to recognise a healthy farm animal.

Weigh farm animals

This unit will demonstrate your ability to weigh and record weights of a farm animal.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

This course covers practical skills and relevant background knowledge. Students need to be 14 or over and have functional English, Maths and Science skills.

Learning and assessment

Assessment will be carried out in different ways depending on the module and the topic. These will include practical assessments, online tests, case studies and projects. Students will complete a certificate qualification in year one and a diploma qualification in year two.

Progression

Students who successfully complete the course may wish to study full time at Myerscough or at another college. Apprenticeships are also available through the College.

Special requirements

Protective clothing should include boiler suit, work gloves, waterproof coat, waterproof trousers and sensible outdoor footwear. Steel toe capped boots/wellingtons. Tetanus vaccination up to date.

Costs that are mandatory for the course:

Steel toe-capped boots or wellington boots – approx. £25

Protective overalls – approx. £25

Waterproof coat and leggings – approx. £50

Hi visibility bib – approx. £10

Costs that are optional for the course:

There may be an opportunity to go on day trips to shows and farms.

Our own dairy cows
Our own dairy cows

Agriculture

Myerscough College is one of the leading institutions for Agriculture in the UK. Our courses will help prepare you for a career in the industry, by combining relevant background skills with the knowledge of crop and livestock technology as well as business enterprise.

There is currently a significant demand for highly trained and well educated professionals to enter the industry. This has been fuelled by the increasing awareness that food production, farming, tourism, the environment and rural affairs are all interconnected.

Endless Opportunities

Students will get the chance to undertake work experience during their studies.

In the past, students have gone to New Zealand or Australia to do sheep and dairy work, with others heading west to Canada and the United States. Such experiences not only help students develop their knowledge and skills but they also prove valuable in terms of improving future employment prospects.

Students learn about tractor engines
Students learn about tractor engines

Experienced Staff

The expertise of the agriculture team at Myerscough College is second to none. The team consists of agriculturalists with a range of specialisms, ecologists, conservationists and game specialists who will all offer their wealth of experience and knowledge to students studying at the College.

Our new £3m FFIT (Food and Farming Innovation Technology) Centre
Our new £3m FFIT (Food and Farming Innovation Technology) Centre

£3m Food and Farming Innovation Technology Development

The new Food and Farming Innovation and Technology centre at Lodge Farm will create a centre of excellence to develop state-of-the- art precision farming techniques within the livestock and grassland sectors. The two storey building will incorporate specialist teaching, demonstration and research facilities, including a Livestock Innovation Centre and the latest grassland equipment, livestock feeding technologies, hybrid tractor power units and crop/field trials equipment.

Latest news, Agriculture

Nicola Chappelhow
Nicola Chappelhow

They say: Nicola Chappelhow

"Myerscough gave me a great understanding of different types of agriculture and set me up nicely for my job as a milk recorder."

 

Oliver McEntyre.jpg
Oliver McEntyre.jpg

Alumni – Oliver McEntyre

To anyone looking to study Agriculture or Countryside at Myerscough College, I’d say go, embrace it & leave with the knowledge that the qualification will stay with you for the rest of your career and open doors that might not have been opened without the time and experience Myerscough offers.

Meet Oliver

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING OUR VOCATIONAL OFFER FOR HOME EDUCATED STUDENTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2025

Tuesday 12th November 2024 update

Myerscough College is committed to providing high quality technical education across the land-based and sports sectors. Our 14-16 curriculum provision will remain in place for the 2025/26 academic year, starting September 2025, but it will need to be accessed via applications from local schools, on behalf of their pupils.

After extensive discussions with our Local Authorities (LAs) regarding the future of home education, it is clear that the government is focused on prioritising the reintegration of many home educated young people back into mainstream education. In light of this direction, we have made the strategic decision to change the Elective Home Educated (EHE) element of our 14-16 programme, in order to align with this broader educational policy.

The only change being implemented at Myerscough is the method of applying for a place and that, moving forward, Electively Home Educated applicants must be enrolled with (or linked to) a secondary school. That school can then submit an application for the programme.

This change will not impact students who are already currently attending Myerscough College through their schools.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this decision, please do not hesitate to contact the Home Educated support teams at your relevant local authority. They will be able to provide information about available school places for September 2025 entry. Once a suitable school has been identified you can start a dialogue with them about the option of attending Myerscough. If discussions are successful, the school can submit an application.

For information about the content of the 14-16 curriculum you can email us at 14to16@myerscough.ac.uk or call 01995 642222.

 

 

Additional support

Myerscough will arrange for copies of academic reports to be sent to educational providers in order to support and enhance the likelihood of securing a school or alternative provision placement for students.

Additionally, please access the links below to help with guidance and support during this transition period:

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/supporting-school-transitions/

Supporting children's transition to secondary school: guidance for parents and carers | Anna Freud

Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY

For all enquiries please see our contact page or call 01995 642222.

UK Provider Registration Number: 10004478