Spaces are still available on some of BCA's courses starting in September.

If you would like to apply for a course, please attend one of our Student Advisory Events on:
Wednesday 1st September, 2pm 8.30pm
Wednesday 8th September, 2pm to 6pm
Wednesday 9th September 2pm to 6pm

These are run as a drop-in sessions, please bring copies of GCSE results or certificate, ID, payment for your £45 facilities fee and payment for your bus pass (if required). For more information, please email marketing@bca.ac.uk.

August 2010

 

Students Raise Money for Help for Heroes

Over the past year, students have been raising funds for ‘Help for Heroes’, in aid of Rifleman Daniel Hume, a friend of some of the college’s sport students, who lost his life nearly a year ago whilst serving in Afghanistan.

At a presentation held at the College, Daniel’s Mum, Wendy Ellis-Stafford, received a cheque for £1384.56 from sports student Dean Rogers. Dean a close friend of Daniel's, was instrumental in running many of the varied fundraising activities, from the traditional raffling of a signed Wycombe Wasps shirt to the more boisterous activities of selling ‘Happy Hume bands’ at rugby fixtures when students dressed as ballerinas and ‘ladies’!

Wendy said, “I am really proud of the boys, they have done fantastically raising so much money, in Daniel’s name, so far, over £106,000 has been donated; more than any other name representing Help for Heroes in the UK, which is amazing. Help for Heroes will put the money to good use in, the funds are being used to set up half-way houses for wounded soldiers providing the support and care needed between hospital and getting back into work and full army life”

BCA Lecturer and Rugby coach Alex Ballard said "The College is really proud of the lad's effort for what is a great cause. The team have really pulled together this year to be successful on the field and raise a fantastic amount of money off it. The sight of 20 lads in fancy dress as women was horrendous but it seemed to do the trick! Well done to the team."

June 2010

Student's love of sport helps her succeed

Aby Timberlake joined BCA in September 2010 from Alfriston School.

Having been in a small all girls school the change of environment at BCA was quite a challenge for Aby. Through playing Netball at a high level whilst at school, (including participating in the Special Olympics Netball in Leicester), Aby found her love of sporthelped overcome her nerves and helped her integrate well in to BCA, resulting in her being given the opportunity to play in the College’s prestigious Sevens tournament in her first year!

Her first experience of BCA was on a Taster Day; Aby said ‘coming on a Taster Day was really helpful, everybody was really friendly and it helped me make up my mind what to do when I left school’.

Since coming to the College, Aby has taken advantage of the Learner Support team and visited them regularly for support with her assignments. Aby is really proud of her achievements and has recently passed her Level 1 Communications. She is hoping to move on to a Level 2 programme next year, to work towards her goal of becoming a Personal Trainer. Aby said ‘BCA is a good place to be; I know who I can talk to and everybody is very helpful and supportive. I want to achieve all my assignments and pass them’.

Senior Lecturer in Sport, Phil Hindley said, ‘Aby is working at distinction level, she is a motivational and determined student, she is a good role model to other students and someone who supports her peers.’

June 2010

Blooming students...

Matt Stoke came to BCA from Gillotts School having first come across the College at the Henley Show. His work experience also has lead to employment and his dream job in a private plant nursery. When asked about his time at BCA, Matt said he has really enjoyed his course, enabling him to turn his hobby into a career. He advises young people thinking about College not to let the work get on top them, ask for help if you need it!

Andrew McMaster, joined BCA straight from Lord Williams’ School at 16. His AND in Horticulture, work experience and part-time job have resulted in him being offer a fantastic opportunity of a full time job at the highly regarded Waterperry Gardens. When asked about his time at BCA he said ‘the College has got it sorted, staff are always there to support you, help is always at hand’.

Tom Hogg has been at BCA for three years. Having been home educated the transition to BCA was a big step, however once overcoming his lack of IT experience through help and support from the College, Tom has found his first experience of formal education has lead to some fantastic career opportunities. Following a very successful work experience placement, Tom has been offered employment at Phyllis Court in Henley. Prior to this he will be working in New Zealand for a few months, as a result of a visiting speaker event from Agriventure. Tom said, ‘I have really enjoyed my time at BCA but I am looking forward to moving on; anyone about thinking of coming to College should have a go at a Taster Day’

May 2010

Life After BCA

BCA prides itself on being ‘the College that knows its students’, and even when they are no longer students, we like to know what they’re getting up to!

Adam Sheridan left the College in June 2009 after completing his National Diploma in Animal Management, and is now studying Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

Adam said of BCA “the National Diploma gave me fantastic foundations to start my degree, covering many species that the veterinary program will not, giving me a huge advantage over A Level students in certain aspects of the course. My mentality when going into the diploma was ‘Science you can learn from books, but physical skills is something you have to gain hands on.’ BCA truly gave me skills second to none “.

Now at RVC, Adam is flourishing with his sciences, having spent most of the first year focusing on the molecular level biology, embryology, and dissections. Having a real passion for the subject, Adam is thoroughly enjoying the course and all aspects of University life.

The College looks forward to hearing more about Adam’s journey to becoming a Vet, and wishes him success along the way.

April 2010

New Jobs for Young People at BCA

BCA in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Jobcentreplus, is recruiting 12 young people for paid work experience positions over the next six months, thanks the government’s Future Jobs Fund initiative.  The roles will include classroom and administrative assistants, domestic and hospitality service staff, Animal Care and grounds staff.

The scheme is designed to give young people who have been out of work for at least six months, real paid work experience, to develop their confidence, provide vocational training, and provide them with new skills to increase their opportunities for future employment.

The jobs will be a six month placement, for a minimum of 25 hours per week and employees will be paid the National Minimum Wage. The programme aims to ensure that every participant finishes the programme with a greatly enhanced range of skills and knowledge and a more confident approach to job seeking and work. Each recruit can receive Skills for Life training – including sessions on CV writing, job searching, interview skills, literacy and numeracy, where required.

The positions will be advertised via the Jobcentre and are open to people unemployed aged between 18-24 years.
Danielle Carlton, a classroom assistant and the first new recruit at BCA said ‘I am hoping to become a secondary school Drama teacher and this opportunity will give me great experience before I start university next year, which I would not have got otherwise.’

The Future Jobs Fund is part of the Government’s ‘Backing Young Britain’ campaign – which seeks to help young people into employment. This is a £1 billion national programme creating 150,000 new jobs for unemployed people.

For more information on our vacancies click here or visit your local Jobcentre.

Feb 2010

Apprenticeship Week 1-5 Feb 2010

Working in partnership with Newbury College, BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture) are now able to offer Apprenticeships in Horticulture and Horse Care for 16 – 18 year olds.    As part of Apprenticeship Week, BCA are currently recruiting Apprentices in both areas and seeking employers who may wish to take on an Apprentice.  Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for young people to earn while they are learning and to gain a qualification for the work they do.  Apprentices can earn a salary between £95 - £150 per week whilst training.  For the employer it is a great way to train their workforce and help the company be more productive and be more competitive.

Apprenticeship Week, 1st – 5th February 2010 is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service and is an opportunity for employers, providers and learners to showcase Apprenticeships.    As part of Apprenticeship week BCA are actively trying to raise awareness of what an Apprenticeship involves and the benefits to both the Apprentice and their employer.

If you are interested in finding out more please visit our apprenticeship page or contact Karen Wick on 01628 827481 or by email HPBS@bca.ac.uk. 

For further information on Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship Week please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Feb 2010

Students enjoy the new facilities

The new buildings have been well received by the students. Both returning and new students to the College have commented on how well equipped and comfortable the rooms are. The extra facilites and equipment have made lessons more interactive and interesting. You can view images of students at work and the new buildings in the 'Our Campus' section of the website.

Brand new facilities for students starting in September 2009

BCA has three new buildings available for students this September thanks to a major building programme funded with support from the Learning and Skills Council.  The new Science Building has been constructed using a range of sustainable methods including a timber frame, green roof, zinc cladding, natural ventilation. day lighting through sun pipes and grey water recycling.  This building contains a range of modern, well equipped science laboratories as well as full equipped design studios. 

The Skills Centre houses a number of the College's vocational and practical courses and is a bright and modern two storey building which includes a specially designed social area and cafe for staff and students located at the north end of the campus.  The third building is a new Exotics Centre for the Animal Care courses which will be used to showcase BCA's extensive range of species and provide a realistic working environment for Animal Care students.

During the year a fourth building will be completed, this is currently under construction in the centre of the campus.  This will be a two storey general teaching centre which will provide specialist areas for students with learning difficulties together with a further range of IT facilities for use by all learners.

All of the buildings will have heating and hot water provided by a new biomass boiler which has been installed at the north end of the site.  This boiler will use wood fuel which is being grown and harvested on the College estate.

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image:

August 2009

BCA fundraising goes crackers with old boots!

Each year students and staff at BCA choose a number of charities to support both locally and nationally.  During the last year, with traditional fundraising activities such as ‘RAG-week’; when staff where gunged, excess numbers of crackers were eaten and students had a mass dance, the College managed to raise nearly £2000.  The bulk of the money was donated to the John Muir Trust, Thames Valley Adventure Playground and Breast Cancer Awareness, with other events supporting Children in Need and Red Nose Day.

In addition to this, recognising its place in supporting the environment and with its agricultural links BCA has found other ways of helping those less fortunate, through recycling and reusing.  Here’s how we did it – last year we sent ‘E’ Christmas cards enabling us to donate £350 to a project run by former  BCA staff in South Africa .  This money has been used to set up irrigation systems, provide crops and seeds and educate farmers in the Neno District of southern Malawi.  Old teaching equipment, including 12 microscopes have also been shipped out to the project which have been dispatched to secondary schools and hospitals in the region.

More recently, in clearing out ready for a new term, 186 pairs of wellingtons, over 100 overalls, 40 pairs of walking boots and 5 sacks of nearly new clothes have been donated to ‘Feed the Children’ for distribution to the poverty stricken families in Uganda.

In the forthcoming college year, fundraising for the Malawi project will continue and the new Student Executive Team will be selecting other good causes to support and focus its fundraising activities on.  If you are a local charity looking for support then please write to the Student Executive at the address below, with details of your cause by the 30th September. See Malawi photo gallery.

August 2009

BCA awarded a Silver-Gilt Flora at the Chelsea Flower Show

BCA is once again celebrating success at the Chelsea Flower Show having been awarded a Silver-Gilt Flora for our Wild and Wonderful Garden. The garden demonstrates that a wildlife-friendly garden need not look scruffy! It contains ideas that anyone can incorporate into their own gardens, however large or small, to make them more environmentally-friendly and attractive to wildlife.

It is a traditional back garden, set behind a brick-and-flint Chiltern country cottage. Culinary herbs are planted near the kitchen door in an old stone trough and a York stone path traverses the pond to the gate beyond.

A bench set against the cottage wall provides a tranquil spot from which to enjoy the view, breathe in the scents and take pleasure in the calm, pastel planting scheme.

Water is harvested from the roof into an oak barrel and compost is recycled into the garden. A variety of nesting and feeding stations is provided for bats, hedgehogs and birds and there is a log pile for mini-beasts.

Hedging and trees have been chosen with wildlife in mind and contribute shelter and food for many kinds of animals. Planting has been selected for its diversity, as well as long season value.

Photo Gallery including build-up
Chelsea Flower Show website.
19 May 2009

Sun shines on Open Weekend

The College welcomed around 12,000 visitors to it's annual Open Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. With the weather certainly in our favour and the College looked it's best, staff and students showcased the College facilties, courses and put on a great family day out!

Sarah Irving, Head of Marketing and Customer Services said 'thank you to all the staff, students, exibitors and sponsors for making the event such a success'.

Photo Gallery (contains images of lambs being born!)
25/26 April 2009

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BCA honours the Land Girls

LAND GIRLS BERKSHIRE RECEPTION
picture gallery morning click here
picture gallery afternoon click here

On Friday 13th March, Mrs Mary Bayliss, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, held Receptions at BCA for former members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps now living in Berkshire to recognise and celebrate their important work during World War II. 

 The Lord Lieutenant, the Principal of the College, Deputy Lieutenants and other civic dignitaries from throughout the County entertained the ladies, now all in their 80s and 90s.  There were displays of artefacts and photographs of Land Girls at work from the Museum of English Rural Life, of the University of Reading, along with a slide show about Land Girls and their role.

All surviving members of the Women’s Timber Corps and Women’s Land Army - which was 80,000 strong at its peak - have been able to apply for a special commemorative Badge and Certificate from the Government during the last 12 months.  Over 30,000 ladies survive and are eligible for these badges.  Almost 250 have been awarded to Berkshire ladies.  All of the Berkshire recipients of these badges were invited to the Lord Lieutenant’s Receptions.

The Land Girls worked on farms during World War II to ensure the production and supply of food. Their work was an important factor in keeping the country running during a time of rationing and shortages.  They wore distinctive green ties and jumpers with brown hats.  There were also ‘Lumbar Jills’ in the separate Women’s Timber Corps who were based in forests and provided wood which could be distributed nationwide. 

In commenting on this important work the Prime Minister Gordon Brown said
“The Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps worked tirelessly in the war years to keep this country going by providing food and supplies, and timber for the war effort.  Their work was absolutely vital, and it is right that we thank them now for their dedication in the service of their country”

Public Service students from the college helped host the event by serving refreshments and escorting visitors to and from the Mansion.
March 2009

More success for Equine students

BCA Equine students came 3rd in an Inter-College competition held at Sparsholt College. This was against 7 other Colleges, where the students competed in dressage, show jumping and a quiz.  BCA were the only College to have all 4 riders jump clear in the show jumping! Staff member Tom Hallam said “I thought that all students rode extremely well, on some horses which were not particularly straightforward to ride and all enjoyed the day. Their conduct and sportsmanship was exemplary and a credit to BCA”. The quiz team, made up of Equine FdA Year II students, were also very successful.
March 2009

BCA Diamonds shine brightly at the Polo Nationals

They may be novices, they may have been training for less than three months, and they may have been riding borrowed ponies, but that didn't stop the team of four girls from BCA making a lasting impression at their first Polo championship.
In the words of their coach, Charley Cudworth, ‘they were amazing!’  The team ‘BCA Diamonds’ won two of their four games, scoring well against the Royal Agricultural College and beating Edinburgh in a nail biting penalty shoot-out, at the recent National Universities Arena Polo Championships in Bristol.

Polo is often seen as a sport for the rich and famous, but Crystal Simons, 17, and her three fellow students worked hard to raise funds and source grants to support their passion to succeed in this fast paced, exhilarating sport.  This included £300 from Supa, sponsorship from their College BCA, and further support with the loan of ponies from Georgiana Crofton, at a local polo club.  

BCA is extremely proud of the girl’s achievement, and how with it’s help they have had the opportunity to experience a new and challenging field within the equine industry.  The Diamond Girls said ‘the experience was a real boost for our confidence; it will help us with our university applications and has opened up new doors for our work experience placements’.

With such early success who knows what the future holds for the Diamonds, but it certainly looks bright!
Feb 2009

 

BCA beautiful in the snow view our picture gallery here...
Feb 2009

BCA snakes and lizards steal the show…. at Skills London 2008 the UK’s biggest careers event... click here for images

53,000 visitors attended Skills London last week, exceeding expectations and making it the UK’s largest skills and careers event. ExCeL’s exhibition halls hosted 180 exhibitors, ready to help young people, parents and teachers with their career decisions. Skills London 2008 buzzed with success.

Visitors were thrilled by interactive features including a tube train, plastering, bricklaying, fashion design, a football pitch, massive rowing competition, climbing wall, BCA snakes and creepy crawlies and much more.

The College was part of a team representing landbased industries and training, and gave young people the opportunity to handle pythons, bearded dragons, dessert iguana lizards, and hissing cockroaches amongst other creepy crawlies!  Staff and students were on hand to talk about the animals and discuss careers options and courses in Animal Management and other BCA courses.

The three National Diploma students, Adam Sheridan, Adam Standley and Bobby Denslow also took to the stage and gave a 30 minute presentation on the animals we had taken and gave the 200 strong audience a chance to ask questions and find out more about being a BCA student.

Skills London 2008 was an overwhelming success, it brought together young people with employers, training organisations and educational institutions. Visitors were able to expertly target advice and guidance and gave them the real opportunity to try out new skills and find out about jobs they might never have considered.  Click here for photo gallery.
Nov 2008

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Students raise funds for Children in Need

Equine students and staff raised a huge £560 at their recent Charity Show Jumping event in aid of Children in Need. The team would would like to thank everyone who competed and supported the show, special thanks go to all the fantastic helpers.  Nov 2008

Student Life

Click here to view the BCA ‘Student Life’ newsletter for recent news and student activities.
Nov 2008

Girl Friday... are Oracle ready for Chelsea?

Eleven women from Oracle IT from the Thames Valley Business Park recently came to BCA for a ‘Girl Friday’ event.

Donning hard hats, boots and gloves the ladies were set the task of building a small garden from scratch. They were split into three teams and competed to create the best garden, against each other and the clock.

Under the guidance of two Horticulture lecturers, Chris Lambert and Barrie Dewsberry, they were taught how to plan the design, prepare their site with the correct tools and equipment, lay turf and slabs, build a brick wall and finally arrange planting to finish the look.

They achieved very respectable gardens within three and half hours! Quite an achievement!

Should the Hortic team be worried about competition for next year’s Chelsea Flower Show?

View the picture gallery
Oct 2008

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BCA Dexter's are amongst the best

BCA's Dexter cattle have recently been rewarded for their cute looks and big crowd appeal, with a sixth place rosette out of sixteen, at the prestigious Newbury Show, and a first and third place at the recent Thame Show.

As this is the first season BCA students have shown cattle we were extremely pleased with Oceania and Oleander’s performance on the day, Sam Stevens, Animal Management Instructor said ‘the pair were really well behaved, they took part in the Grand Parade and seemed to enjoy all the attention, our students Megan and Ben, also did a fantastic job handling them and preparing them for the show’.

The cows, now nearly two, have been at the College since they were six months old and have been looked after and trained by the students during this time.  Next year the College hope to have bred their own stock for showing, and with Oceania and Oleander the proposed Mums, they are sure to have winning good looks!
Sept 2008

 

Three exciting new buildings

Work has now started on the next phase of a programme to upgrade College facilities, three new exciting buildings will provide improved teaching and practical space for our growing vocational courses.

This next stage in a major capital investment programme includes a new Horticultural and Science block, with laboratories, teaching space and practical work areas. A teaching centre for Pathways and Learning Support, plus a Multi Skills centre to support the growth in vocational training.

Aug 2008

Other News

BCA Equine Centre included in London 2012 pre-games training camp guide.
Aug 2008

 

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