A custom designed and built 12ft x 20ft glasshouse has been donated by Isle of Wight-based businesses APS Produce Group and P3P Partners, and constructed on the site at Medina College by Cambridge HOK, ahead of the launch of the IGCSE in Agriculture this September.
The specialist and impressive structure allows students at the school to grow plants in a protected area where specific conditions can be maintained to ensure the highest efficiency.
Land developed as farming plot
Students will be able to grow plants in the glasshouse all year round, which will hugely support them throughout the GCSE course and potentially future further education studies.
The structure has been constructed on a piece of land on the school site which has been specifically developed as a farming plot. Students are already working on this land and have been so excited to start using the glasshouse. They are currently growing a variety of tomatoes, peppers, squashes and herbs in it.
Collaborative donation
The glasshouse was donated to the school collaboratively by national companies with a large Isle of Wight presence, P3P Partners, specialists in sustainable energy and vertical farming and APS Produce Group, the UK’s leading tomato and salad crop horticulture specialist, and was built by Cambridge HOK, a leading glasshouse construction specialist.
Using their expertise and the latest technology, the glasshouse has been purpose-built to the needs of the students and the new course that they will be following from September.
Lloyd: A really exciting opportunity for our students
Medina College is one of just three providers in the country to be offering the Cambridge IGCSE in Agriculture. Agriculture course leader at the school, Victoria Lloyd said,
“The course presents a really exciting opportunity for our students to get a head start on a future career in agriculture; an area with a vast range of exciting opportunities for young people across the UK and, particularly, here on the Isle of Wight.”
Parr-Burman: Will massively enhance their learning
Executive Headteacher for the Isle of Wight Education Federation and Head of School at Medina College, Matthew Parr-Burman said,
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of APS Produce Group and P3P Partners. Without their financial support and technical skills and experience, we would not have been able to provide this resource for the students. It will make such a difference to their studies and will provide them with experiences that will enhance their learning massively.
“It has been fantastic to see how excited the students are to get involved with using the glasshouse already. We can’t wait to literally taste the fruits of their labour this summer!”
News shared by Gemma on behalf of the Isle of Wight Education Federation. Ed
