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Environment and Land Based Studies for Key Stage 4 (Students aged 14-16)

Please click HERE for our Key Stage 4 Prospectus (text only document)

A brief introduction to Environment and Land Based Studies.
Environment and land based industries are one of the most important economic sectors in the UK and generate a lot of wealth and provide many jobs around the world. In the UK, in particular, this area of the economy is worth approximately £9 billion a year and employs nearly three quarters of a million people.

Employment opportunities are many and varied within this sector, and include water and waste management, food production, sporting facilities, leisure and tourism, land management, landscape architecture, forestry, animal health and welfare as well as environmental conservation. With the right skills and knowledge, the career prospects for people entering this sector are excellent. The new Diplomas have been developed by a wide range of specialists to help students gain an insight into this varied sector and to give them the skills and qualities that employers and universities are looking for.

What is the Diploma in Environment and Land Based Studies?
The Diploma in Environment and Land Based Studies will give students first hand experience of the opportunities, occupations and career paths offered by the sector. The Diploma has been developed to give students a broad understanding of the current needs of the sector’s diverse businesses.

Students will learn through doing and this will give them a clear idea of what working life will be like. It will also help students question and challenge outdated stereotypes of what this sector is actually like.

Diploma students will also develop, through taught lessons, project work and private study, a good standard of English, Maths and ICT. Altogether, the broad mix of knowledge, understanding and skills that the Diploma delivers will equip students for their future journeys through college, university and into employment.

There are two levels of Diploma. Starting in year 10 students can study:

The Foundation Diploma, which is equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D-G
The Higher Diploma, which is equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A*-C

What will the Diploma students learn?
The Pricipal Learning is that associated directly with Environment and Land base Issues

The Diploma in Environment and Land Based Studies focuses on three main themes across all levels.

Productive and working environments. This looks at the limited resources of our natural environment, our impact on it, how it influences us and how these resources are used.
Plants and animals. This explores how we use plants for commercial, recreational and conservation purposes and animals for food production, recreation, work or companionship.
Developing the sustainable environment. This theme will explore the impact we have on our environment, and how important it is to use environmentally friendly ‘green’ practices.

Diploma students will study the same core subjects but depth of detail will vary according to the level at which they entered.

The project, is a integral part of the principal learning

All Diploma students will complete a project to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired. Students can choose their own project. For example, a student might decide to produce a piece of work reporting on how food production can lead to environmental damage, or a video detailing an aspect of animal care.

Generic Learning
Generic Learning is the name given to all the associated aspects of the Diploma, these include:

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
All diploma students will develop personal, learning and thinking skills, such as team working, creative thinking and self management. These are recognised as vital key skills for students in both life and work and will be applicable in a student’s future life, what ever path they may pursue.
Work experience.
Diploma students will undertake a minimum of 10 days work experience. This is a fantastic way to use the skills the students have learnt in the classroom and experience what working within the sector is really like. Work experience also gives students the chance to be mentored by professionals working in their chosen field.
Functional Skills.
It is expected that all students who undertake to study a diploma will achieve a minimum standard in English, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology. To achieve this, pupils will employ these skills throughout the course during project and classroom based activities and will sit functional skills examination as part of the assessments planned for the student.

What are the benefits of following a Diploma course?
These are just some of the advantages of taking a Diploma:

Students will be able to work in a variety of different learning environments, not just be confined to the classroom.
Diplomas offer an excellent gateway to further study or training courses.
Diplomas give students the opportunities to develop skills and abilities that are transferable and useful in a range of different careers.

Where can a Diploma take students in the future?
The Diploma is designed to broaden a young person’s horizons and give them a wide range of next step options.

The Advanced Diploma can lead on to college or university courses, or to further training and employment. Students who have completed a Foundation or Higher Diploma in Environment and Land Based Studies might choose to go on to do an Advanced Diploma, or perhaps to do A levels. They could also decide to start an apprenticeship or work based training.

For more information please contact:
Easton College 14-19 Partnerships, Easton, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 5DX
Telephone: 01603 731257
Fax: 01603 741438
Email: schools@easton.ac.uk

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