MARK THOMAS ON COURSE

Mark Thomas is now on a Countryside Management course at Plumpton College and he has kindly shared his experiences and first impressions of his modules with us.

‘When I came to HighGround I had already completed an ‘Access to Higher Education Diploma (Land Based Studies)’, this allowed me to go on to a two-year foundation degree (FdSc) in Countryside Management. HighGround was instrumental in my decision to make that choice, and obviously opened my eyes to the vast array of opportunities that the Land Based Industry has to offer. Unfortunately, I managed to break my back later that year, so my studies were put on hold until the 2016/17 academic year. My first year comprised of 6 modules: Countryside Management Practices – these were physical tasks, ranging from hedge and path laying to constructing boxes for Dormouse surveying; Plant and Soil science – learning plant biology and identification skills, including their Latin names! People & Countryside – how we can improve people’s enjoyment of our countryside; Principles of Ecology, my favourite subject; and Wildlife Population Management – looking at how we can mitigate the damage we have done to native species of fauna and flora. We also had a module Called ‘Work-based Learning’ that involved work experience, in my case the college farm shop. Needless to say I have enjoyed every minute of it, have been very well supported by the college, and have found it massively beneficial to my mental health.’

Mark Thomas – Countryside Management (FdSc)

Plumpton College