Institute of Horticulture accreditation

Writtle College is renowned for the quality of its horticulture courses. Whether it’s an apprenticeship, post-GCSE course, degree programme or masters qualification, horticulture at Writtle attracts students from across the globe.

Here, Head of Further Education Horticulture, Tom Cole, discusses the College’s recent endorsement from the Institute of Horticulture.

Horticulture expert Tom Cole

 “Earlier this year I was delighted to attend the Institute of Horticulture (IoH) discussions over the institute accrediting courses. These discussions took place at the combined IoH Horticulture Training, Education and Careers Committee (HorTECC) and Horticulture Training and Education Providers Group (HorTEPG). I was fortunate to attend this alongside Higher Education Horticulture Course Scheme Manager and Senior Lecturer Sandra Nicholson who has a long association with the College. 

We were obviously thrilled to discover that the IoH had agreed to endorse Writtle College!

The question you may all be asking though is what does this mean for the College and what does it mean to students?

Writtle's Horticulture courses
attract a wide range of people

Well, firstly is means that Writtle has strengthened its links with the IoH. This is an extremely positive step as the two organisations enjoy an even closer relationship.

But most of all it is the recognition received from our leading professional body that we are a great institution offering excellent links and progression routes for all into the industry.  We’re also valued and respected and not just for Horticulture! This extends to Environmental Conservation, Countryside Management and Agriculture as well.

The people who benefit mostly from this are our students. They can come to Writtle and join our courses knowing they are going to be studying at a well-respected and historic institution that will give them the best chance possible of achieving their career ambitions.

120 years of Writtle College

With 2013 drawing to a close, Writtle College continued to celebrate its 120th year of educational excellence in style. Here we look back at how the students got involved to mark this success.

Established in 1893, the College has a proud history and is extremely delighted to have reached this landmark. Last Wednesday (4th December) saw students from various study levels, backgrounds and subject areas come together to mark this accomplishment by taking part in a unique photo shoot.

Students begin to gather outside the College's main building.

With the photo taking place outside the front of the College's impressive main building, this provided the perfect setting to capture the moment on camera.

There were a large number of students wanting to take part in this photo, which really reflected the level of appreciation for the College achieving this landmark.

Students arrived from programmes including Agriculture, Sport, Horticulture, Conservation and Animal Care. There was also the delightful surprise of the College's Floristry students arriving with beautiful bouquets! What a fantastic addition this was.

Eye-catching bouquets created by floristry students.

There have been a lot of highlights during 2013. These include winning Small and Specialist Students’ Union of the Year in the NUS Awards, as well as having its innovative research featured on the popular BBC television programme 'Countryfile'. 

The photo turned out perfectly and really was a moment to remember.

For more information on Writtle and its history go to www.writtle.ac.uk/120