Last week, Principal John Mason was invited to attended a function given in honour of Her Majesty the Queen at The Old Capel Manor House. Her Majesty was opening the newly completed themed garden called 'The Queens Garden'.

The Old Manor House Garden has been designed as a signature garden to tell the story of Capel Manor during the 800 years prior to becoming home to Greater London’s only landbased college. 

Click here to follow the building of the new garden at Capel Manor College, which includes a cloister and bell tower, moat, gatehouse, drawbridge, swimming pond and a bog garden.

As part of the UK Government reform of qualifications, a new structure has been introduced called the Qualifications and Credit Framework (or QCF). This is intended to make qualifications clearer, and to offer greater choice and flexibility to learners. The RHS will be introducing a range of new qualifications through the QCF.
Partial completion of the current RHS qualifications can lead to exemption from particular units in the new QCF qualifications and from lessons or modules in various ACS and affiliate colleges qualifications.
The new qualifications will replace the existing qualifications at level 2 and level 3 and will be available through ACS as follows:

AVAILABLE NOW by correspondence, CD and Online...

Level 2 Certificates:

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development

• Exams are theoretical and can be sat, by arrangement, anywhere in the world.
• The course involves 100 hrs of study and is now available through ACS.

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance

• Exams are theoretical and can be sat, by arrangement, anywhere in the world.
• The course involves 100 hrs of study. It is currently being written and will launch shortly.

RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture

This qualification is simply the two above certificates combined. It can be awarded to anyone who completes the two certificates above.

COMING SOON...

Level 3 Certificates:

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation

• Exams are theoretical and can be sat, by arrangement, anywhere in the world.
• Hours involved are uncertain yet.
• The certificate is being written and should be available to launch in June 2010.

RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting

We will look into developing this in July/August 2010

• Note to current students who wish to change over to the new qualifications:
  ACS Principal John Mason is currently in the UK, and has met with the RHS. If students of the old RHS qualifications wish to change over to the new ones, this will be relatively easy, however we will not know the details until Mr. Mason returns mid July.

Profile – Kelly Leplaw

I have always been inspired by the creation of beautiful outdoor spaces. From the concept plan to the unfolding of the construction and most importantly the completed design. Yet, even with this enthusiasm, I never thought I would have the capability of creating concept plans and designing these beautiful spaces myself.

At the age of 35 I assumed the career I had developed in finance and account management would be my one and only career path. However in 2008, something changed my way of thinking and I knew I had to pursue my love and appreciation of landscape design.

Click here to read more...

REMINDER NOTICE TO RHS STUDENTS - Enrolled RHS II Certificate Students need to register for exams before 31 July.

Excerpt from official RHS website www.rhs.org.uk.

John has been enjoying his visits with affiliates across the UK & France.

The Garden Design Academy

A college offering specialist tutors for courses in Garden Design, Landscaping, Gardening and Horticulture. Located in the centre of France, the Garden Design Academy also provides residential, postal and internet-based study in garden design and CAD technologies.

Academy of Distance Learning

UK College, affiliated with Warnborough College (est. 1973), offering the full range of ACS modules and a unique range of certificates and diplomas from a base in Canterbury, England.

Fitness Industry Education (FIE)

A major provider of recognised and accredited fitness industry training throughout the UK; both through distance education and face to face instruction.

ACS has articulation arrangements with FIE which allows Fitness Leader Certificate graduates to obtain accredited fitness leader qualifications in the UK..

Warwickshire College

Warwickshire College is a large further education college with two of its 6 campus's solely dedicated to the study of land based subjects. Courses can be studied part-time, full-time and via distance learning at all levels from short courses to full honours degrees. The College has recently been graded as 'Outstanding' in the 2008 Ofsted Inspection and has some of the most highly qualified teaching staff in the country. One of these six campuses is Pershore, which has long been known as a leading horticultural college in the UK.