The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Agriculture was first delivered at Gresham’s from September 2020 with the first cohort certificating in August 2022. The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Agriculture is now being delivered alongside the Diploma providing pupils with a one or two A level equivalent option to complement their A level choices. Both are two-year programmes when studied alongside further Level 3 qualifications.
The content is wide-ranging to represent the nature of the sector and has an applied basis underpinned by a rigorous theoretical backdrop. A large and varied range of facilities are used, both on and off the school site, with a range of sector leading experts supporting delivery of the course. The content of both qualifications has been developed to ensure progression into higher education or directly into the workplace.
- NATIONAL DIPLOMA (EQUIVALENT TO 2 A LEVELS)
Exam board: Pearson
The following 7 units are mandatory:
- Professional Working Responsibilities
- Plant and Soil Science
- Work Experience in the Land-based Sectors
- Estate Skills
- Land-based Machinery Operations
- Managing Environmental Activities in Agriculture
- Managing Activities for Agricultural
- Enterprises
The following 2 units are selected by us:
- Livestock Husbandry
- Grass and Forage Crop Production
Pupils have a ‘free choice’ of 1 of the following units to suit their personalised learning needs:
- Crop Production
- Livestock Health and Disease
- Developing a Land-based Enterprise
- Combinable Crop Production and
- Processing
- Livestock Nutrition
- Organic Agricultural Production
- Land-based Workshop Practices
- EXTENDED CERTIFICATE (EQUIVALENT TO 1 A LEVEL)
Exam board: Pearson
The following 3 units are mandatory:
- Professional Working Responsibilities
- Work Experience in the Land-based Sectors
- Applied Agricultural Farming Practice
The following 1 unit is selected by us:
- Land-based Machinery Operations
- ASSESSMENT
There are three main forms of assessment for the BTEC Agriculture: external, internal and synoptic:
- Externally assessed units:
Examinations – all students take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written outcome.
Set tasks – students take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.
- Internally assessed units:
Write up the findings of their own research
Use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations
Carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes
Demonstrate practical and technical skills.
- Externally assessed units: