Courses for School Leavers

Hadlow College is Kent’s only specialist land-based college. Whether joining us from school or looking to change career, Hadlow College offers a huge range of courses covering: Agriculture (livestock, arable, fruit and vegetables), Horticulture (glasshouse production, fruit and vegetables, viticulture, greenkeeping and ornamental production), Gardening, Agricultural Engineering, Aquaculture & Fisheries Management, Equine, Animal Management and Floristry to suit the needs of many different students.

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Hear from our students

Bradley Church

Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management

"There are so many good memories, whether it be the informal yet engaging teaching style and absorbing lessons, the time spent with friends, to the light-hearted moments chatting with the staff. My time at Hadlow not only progressed me academically, but also grew me as a person as well."

Catherine Mitchell

City & Guilds L3 2019/20

"Floristry was a complete change of career for me. I was looking for a change from farming and after visiting the Hadlow stand at the Agricultural Expo at Detling showground, it seemed to me to be the obvious choice, due to both location and the availability of part-time floristry courses."

Clare Beadle

Animal Management

"There are many different exotics we get in – we’ve seen flamingos, snow leopards. We do get a varied amount of animals that come through."

Edward Hilton

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture

"Always dream big to achieve, strive to be the best you can be."

Eleanor Denniss

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, BSc (Hons) in Animal Conservation & Biodiversity

"There is no better group of lecturers to have behind you to succeed than those at Hadlow.” 

Jade Mellor

Horticulture

"I set up my own business, Wild Pickings, selling seasonal foraged wild foods. I focus on plant ID, gathering, teaching and also on cooking, preparing and eating wild food."

Jake Dorey

Level 3 Fisheries management & BSc Aquaculture and Fisheries Management

"I wanted to study fisheries management and when I started looking into land-based colleges for further education courses, Hadlow College was the most recommended to me. Learning specifically about a subject that I was really interested in was great, and I liked the mix of practical tasks as well as theory lessons."

Jo Russell

NCFE Creative Craft in Floristry. Wedding Floristry.

"I chose to attend Hadlow college as it was local to me and with a young family, I wanted to feel settled and close - my youngest was 6 months old when I started. I also knew that for a rural college it would have the feel I wanted - with the floristry department set within Broadview gardens."

Katherine Craft

City & Guilds Level 2 & 3 in Floristry

I won The Wedding Industry Award for ‘Best Wedding Florist in the South East of England."

Kenny Raybould

National Diplomas in Horticulture, HND in Garden Design and BSc in Commercial Horticulture

"There is a lot more to Horticulture than first meets the eye, especially in the production side of industry and being educated and experienced in that technology will help in securing that dream job."

Lara Behr

RHS Level 2 certificates in Practical Horticulture and Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance

"My career highlight was designing a show garden for Macmillan Cancer Support at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. We won a gold medal."

Laurel Cooke

Level 3 and FdSc in Equine Management

"It has been great to meet so many people from all over the world, all with the same love for horses."

Laurence Vincent

Level 3 in Horticulture

"I was lucky to win a place in Pro Landscaper magazine’s 30 under 30 awards, which was a proud moment in my career thus far."

Lewis Bennett

Fisheries Management Level 3 and BSc (Hons) Aquaculture & Fisheries

"My employer, a small salmon company in the northwest highlands of Scotland, was looking for someone with an academic background in aquaculture to innovate the company."

Lucy Bennett

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN ZOO HUSBANDRY AND MANAGEMENT

Lucy Bennett cited the friendly and supportive staff as playing a key role in her choosing to study at Hadlow College, a decision that would lead to a complete career change for her.

Having previously worked in the NHS, Lucy is now part of the Animal Presentations Team at Chessington World of Adventures!

Lucy tells us about her time at Hadlow, which she describes the best two of her life so far.

Matt O'Leary

Animal Management

"Hadlow offered me the opportunity to gain practical experience with companion, exotic and farm animals. It taught me the fundamentals of animal care and the confidence to excel."

Mitch Taylor-Wilson

Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

My advice to anyone thinking of studying at Hadlow College is to go for it! It played a huge part in where I am today and I will be forever thankful.

Rebecca Yussuf

NCFE 2 & 3 in Floristry, as well as various short part-time floristry courses

"Studying the NCFE courses gave me the confidence I needed to set up my own floristry business."

Sally Shepherd

Level 3 Agriculture

"I love all things practical, getting stuck in and learning on the job."

Yasmin Brindle

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agricultural Engineering

"My lecturers were a massive support and friendly faces to go to if I needed help."

We have a proud heritage within the rural sector, and our main aim is to make all our students feel welcome and secure in what is a fantastic learning environment as they gain the skills they require for a successful land based career.

The College has excellent resources including a working beef farm (we also have links with local dairy farms), sheep unit, arable crops, glasshouses, fruit production, Broadview gardens & garden centre, animal collection, fisheries lakes & hatchery and stables at Hadlow main site.

All full-time courses and Apprenticeships include a significant amount of work experience that is carried out in a work place developing the skills and knowledge related to the sector and provide excellent opportunities for the industry to raise the profiles of their sector.