LAND BASED STUDIES

Land-Based Studies Roadmap: Years 7–11

The Land-Based Studies curriculum is designed to provide a practical, step-by-step learning journey that develops students’ understanding of the natural environment, animal care, and horticulture. Through a spiral approach, students revisit and build on key skills each year, growing in independence and confidence while engaging in meaningful, real-world activities.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

At Key Stage 3, students are introduced to the foundations of land-based learning, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experiences and life skills.

• Year 7:
  Students begin by learning how to care for animals, including chickens and ducks. They develop an understanding of animal welfare, feeding, and daily care routines. Alongside this, they are introduced to plant life, exploring how plants grow and what they need to survive.

• Year 8:
  The focus shifts more towards plant care and horticulture. Students develop key skills such as planting, maintaining, and preparing plants for harvesting. They also explore how to create and maintain a visually appealing garden space, linking learning to wellbeing and environmental awareness.

• Year 9:
  Students begin to apply their knowledge to more complex tasks, including building structures and developing practical outdoor skills.

  • Emerald Pathway: Students continue to develop core skills with appropriate support, ensuring accessibility and success.
  • Forest Pathway: Students engage with the same topics but at a higher level of challenge, using more complex vocabulary, increasing independence, and developing more advanced practical skills.

This stage ensures all students are prepared for potential progression into a qualification pathway.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)

At Key Stage 4, students on the Emerald pathway have the opportunity to specialise in Land-Based Studies as an option subject.

• Emerald Pathway (Optional Route):
  Students can work towards the City & Guilds Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in Land-Based Studies.
  • In Year 10, students focus on the foundations of horticulture, including planting, seed care, and understanding how to maintain healthy plant growth. They begin to develop independence and may undertake a personal project.
  • In Year 11, students progress to Level 2, where they develop more advanced skills such as planting and pruning, propagation techniques, and applying their knowledge in real-world contexts. Learning is designed to support progression into adult life, employment, or further education within land-based industries.

Summary

The Land-Based Studies roadmap offers a practical, engaging, and progressive curriculum that supports students in developing essential life and vocational skills. Through hands-on learning, increasing levels of challenge, and clear qualification pathways, students are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed for independent living and future careers in horticulture and land-based environments.