Students from South West schools were recently presented with awards for their accomplishments on the Practical Learning Programme at Bicton College.
Ten groups of learners from across the County with students aged 14 – 16 received certificates for their Level 1 Qualifications, with special awards also being given for commitment, skills improvement and professional attitude.
The 77 students received praise for their hard work on their respective programmes, which include agriculture, horse care, construction, animal care, motor vehicle maintenance, sports and recreation,...
Bicton College is discussing a potential merger to secure its long term future, The Exeter Daily can reveal today. The move follows a review undertaken by the government’s Further Education Commissioner, Dr David Collins, after financial issues were raised by the Skills Funding Agency. Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock, has written to college Principal, David Henley, outlining his concerns. In his letter, Mr Hancock says: “As you are aware, in light of inadequate judgement for financial health by the Skills Funding Agency, I decided that the FE Commissioner should review...
Staff and students from Bicton’s Military and Public Services Academy (MaPS) have this week introduced their education programme to dignitaries from across the country.
Representatives from the Ministry of Defence, other UK colleges, Skills for Armed Forces plus further associates were invited to a presentation day about the framework for the popular MaPS Academy, and the strategy for opening the programme up on a national level.
The MaPS Academy is currently based at Bicton College in East Devon and provides residential preparation courses designed to give students the...
Bicton College has launched a new course starting in June to train those interested in the fitness industry to become gym instructors.
The course, which gives participants a world-wide recognised qualification by CYQ, will run over 12 Saturdays staring on 14 June 2014.
Weight issues in the UK are now at an all-time high with approximately 25% of adults currently classed as obese, however, gym memberships and new fitness facilities are also on the rise proving that there is a demand for people wanting to keep fit and develop new healthy lifestyle habits.
Bicton College is currently training international student Joseph Mugagga as one of seven delegates funded to learn in the UK by the Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust. Joseph, from Kampala in Uganda, works as a Rural Project Manager for Kulika Uganda, an organisation set up to promote and train individuals in sustainable agriculture.
As well as having his own family farm with his wife and brothers, Joseph has worked with farming groups across Uganda and currently reaches approximately 1800 farmers in the districts of Lira, Apac and Oyam. He promotes a holistic approach to farming...
Jess Bower, from Brixham has always kept horses but didn’t ever think she would have the chance to break into farming.
Now a full time agricultural student at Bicton and a steward at last week’s Devon County Show, Jess came to the College having had no prior experience of farming.
“Working outdoors with the animals and being in the tractors ploughing the fields is what I always wanted to do,” she says. “But I thought that because I had no experience in farming that I wouldn’t be able to do the agriculture course and that I would look stupid not knowing anything about...
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August is BICTON FEST - the successful new music Festival for Devon. We are excited to be working with the Music Mill to incorporate a third day to the weekend, the Big Gig, which celebrates 25 years of John Govier’ s contribution to the music scene in Devon. Think intimate and friendly, picnics and laughter, local food, beers and ciders, engulfed by amazing music…
Set within the 180 hectares of grounds and gardens at Bicton College and surrounded by the fields and woodlands of East Devon, BICTON FEST will showcase not only the best of Devon’s musical...
Bicton College student Melanie Cowlan completed Level I and 2 Fibrecraft in 2012. Majoring in a wide range of felt making techniques, Melanie has subsequently established a Fibrecraft enterprise and has recently resigned from her place of work in order to expand her business.
Since 2012 she has developed a repertoire to include: wearable art, wall art, vessels, accessories, jewellery and greetings cards. Plus, she has received numerous commissions for wall art and wearables.
Melanie’s techniques include nuno felting using the finest merino fibres, silk fabrics and lustrous...
Bicton College student Josephine Yongo is currently experiencing her first visit to the UK, whilst undertaking a 6 week course organised by the Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust (BOAT).
Studying a specially designed intensive course including project management, leadership and communication, Josephine and 6 fellow students are seizing the opportunity offered to them by BOAT so that they can return home and engage others in effective training.
Josephine, from Kenya, manages the Rarieda Training and Resource Centre in Kisumu, which is part of the Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust....
Dogs from Bicton College showed off their moves last week with agility demonstrations at the Devon County Show.
The team which included three rescue dogs, tackled obstacles including jumps, tunnels and weave poles, demonstrating speed and skill in the Lady Clinton ring.
Tutor Caz Addy says, "Agility training especially with rescue dogs is a great way to bond and build up trust. Two of our rescues were neglected and locked in flats and stables for the first years of their lives, so agility is the ideal activity for improving fitness and enjoying the outdoors together....
