From left (top): Rod Flavell, Dr Michael Alderson, Malcolm Sinclair, Sheila Flavell
From left (bottom): Lower VI Pupils – Daisy, Jack
Innovation
With a tradition of outstanding academic innovation spanning 175 years, Glenalmond College in Perthshire has embarked on a new educational pathway to deliver equally outstanding vocational education, taking full advantage of its unique location and an exciting new partnership with the Logiealmond Estate.
In September 2022, Glenalmond College launched the only available BTEC in Countryside Management which offers a perfect combination of academic study and practical hands-on experience of this varied subject which covers rural development, environmental and business management as well as agriculture and land management. The qualification is ideal for those aiming to enter work in Agriculture, Surveying, or Land Management in the future.
As the only school in Scotland to deliver this course, Glenalmond is very excited to offer a BTEC to complement its VI Form curriculum of 28 A levels, Highers, and the Extended Project Qualification. It will be well-suited to individuals who are looking for a course that is mainly hands-on, practical work with classroom study. Experiencing regular contact with those working in the sector is inspiring and anchors what is learnt in school in the real world.
Unique Partnership
Glenalmond’s 300 acres of scenic Perthshire countryside provides the perfect platform to gain real hands-on experience with a campus which combines managed grounds, woodland, and the river Almond. More excitingly, the school has partnered with the Logiealmond Estate, owned by Rod and Sheila Flavell of the FDM Group, who are regenerating the estate into a modern, commercial business which combines sporting interests with leisure as well as environmental initiatives.
Nationally recognised qualification
BTECs have been part of the British educational landscape for over 60 years; they are universally recognised with 1 in 5 of the UK adult population in possession of a BTEC. Alongside A levels, BTECs are the most widely-recognised qualification to get into university and 25% of all students embarking on a university degree now have BTECs which are recognised across all universities, including Russell League.
BTEC at Glenalmond
The Countryside Management BTEC enhances Glenalmond’s 3+ Sixth Form curriculum offering in which pupils study 3 main subjects, until now A levels, complemented by a fourth A level, an SQA Higher, or complete the Extended Project Qualification. This new BTEC course offers pupils who successfully complete the modules access to courses across UK universities as well as entry into careers inspired by their passions.
Dr Michael Alderson, Warden [headteacher] of Glenalmond, said: “A Glenalmond education is all about equipping our pupils with the best academic education so that they can face the future with the greatest number of choices so that they can lead a successful life, contributing in a meaningful way to society. Never have questions of food production and security, climate and sustainability, and land management been as important. The opportunity to enhance what we do in the classroom with real knowledge from those working at the cutting edge in the sector is really exciting for our pupils and the College.”
For more information about this exciting development or entry to Glenalmond, contact +44 (0)1738 842144.
Categories: Glenalmond College School News
