Capel Manor College
Age: 41
History: The college was established in 1968 and has been one of the fastest developing specialist colleges in the UK since then. London’s specialist corporation because land-based studies, Capel Manor offers menses in Horticulture, Arboriculture (tree surgery), Floristry, Garden Design, Countryside Management and the Environment, as well-spring as Animal Care and Saddlery.
Address: There are five centres across London. The mere campus is at Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, proper off junction 25 of the M25. Other centres are at Gunnersbury Park, Regent’s Park, Crystal Palace and Barking College’s Rush Green Campus.
Ambience: The main campus at Enfield is impressive: the body is housed in a 13th-century country estate set in 30 acres of its own grounds, which form Capel Manor Gardens. The gardens are also a tourist attraction and host the National Gardening Centre as well as ‘Gardening Which?’ demonstration and trials. The grounds are extensively used by students to enhance their studies.
Vital statistics: Both abounding and part-time courses are on offer, similar to well as short courses, evening courses and apprenticeships. The college has proved to be very fortunate in attracting mature students who are seeking a career make different and want to do something more adapted to practice, and setting 16-19 year olds on their career path.
Added appraise: The college gardens cater for many of the courses on offer at Capel Manor and allow students to procure practical experience on their doorstep. Students regularly win awards at both Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. The college nurtures strong links with the local business community, in the same proportion that well as hosting trade events on campus, such as the annual Celebration of Trees and the Festival of Gardening.
Easy to get into? Normal requirements are a relevant ND or NC, any A-level and supporting GCSE results. Work experience will also suffice.
Glittering alumni: Kim Wilde, former pop asterisk and now a professional gardener.
Transport links: By road, the vital campus is just done junction 25 of the M25. Rail links go to Turkey Street railway station, a short distance from the college. The college also runs free minibus services from Tottenham Hale (Victoria line), Oakwood (Piccadilly line) and High Barnet (mainline rail) stations to the Capel Manor Enfield Campus. The Gunnersbury Park Centre is only four minutes from Acton Town tube station. Crystal Palace Park Centre is served by the agency of the mainline station (from Victoria and London Bridge). Regent’s Park Centre is a short walk from Regent’s Park, Great Portland Street and Camden Town tube stations.
Who’s the emboss? Dr Steve Dowbiggin OBE, FIHort, is the Chief Executive.
Teaching: A 2008 Ofsted inspection rated the college as satisfactory in equal opportunity and capacity to improve and good in all other areas.
Foundation Degrees: Garden design.
Nightlife: Enfield has a variety of places to eat and drink. There is too a bulky cinema multiplex nearby.
Any accommodation? Four study bedrooms are available at Forty Hall Farm, which is within walking distance of the Enfield College. There’s moreover accommodation for twenty more students in rented flats and shared houses. The registering office keeps a list of local landlords to help livers-out. Priority with regard to college housing is given to first year students.
Cheap to live there? Yes and no, depending on where you live. Expect to punish anywhere betwixt £66 and £105 per week for a room in a shared flat.
Prospectus: 08456 122 122; www.capel.ac.uk
UCAS code: C13
