Berkshire College of Agriculture

Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) was established in 1949 as the Berkshire Institute of Agriculture. It is a further education agricultural college based at Hall Place in Burchetts Green at Hurley, near Maidenhead, in Berkshire.

The college provides high-quality education and training for more than 60 years and offers various courses such as Animal care and management, Child care, Construction (including bricklaying, painting and decorating), Equestrian, Floristry, Health studies and social care, Horticulture and land management, Mechanics, Public services, Pathways (a course dedicated to students with disabilities) and Sports.

BCA received a glowing report from Ofsted in May 2012. Staff in BCA are very friendly and welcoming. Most of the students are satisfied with the services provided by the staff in term of the personal and academic support they receive from learning support staff and teachers.

BCA aims to provides any possibly to ensure that anyone who wish to study in it. That includes discussing individual travel arrangements and where possible providing help – including financial – so that everyone can benefit from a BCA education, wherever they live.

BCA’s accommodation will provide you with the opportunity to develop and gain independence. With 37 residential rooms on-site there will be a great opportunity to make new friends from different courses.

THE WARDEN TEAM

BCA provide a 24-hour wardening team whose role it is to support the residents and help ensure all students safety and wellbeing. The warden team also work extremely hard to ensure the residents take part in enrichment activities and gain the very best experience, as well as dealing with health and safety and behaviour in general.

THE ZONE

The Zone is an area for all students to hang out and socialise in the evenings. The Zone has its very own student bar where residents can purchase a variety of soft drinks, crisps and chocolates.
The warden team organise various activities each evening for the residents. These activities can range from quizzes in The Zone to bouldering. We also offer off-site activities which include going to the cinema, bowling, Laserquest, ice-skating, Comedy Club and many more. The wardens are also available to provide support with studies and other college related enquires, to help ensure that residents get the most of their college experience.

Application Schedule

1. Application packs are available on-line from April 2016
2. Once you return your paperwork, you may be invited to attend an interview in June 2016. Under 18 students are required to have a parent or guardian present.
3. Accommodation offers are made from the end of July 2016. If your application is received after offers have already been made, you will be placed on a waiting list.

Terms and conditions of applying

1. Accommodation is only available on a rolling one year basis. There is no guarantee of accommodation being available in subsequent years.
2. Accommodation is not available if you currently live within 15 miles of the college, unless there are special circumstances for you requiring accommodation. This decision is at the discretion of the Residential Manager.
3. Offers are prioritised subject to the suitability of learner for semi-independent learning and or location/circumstances.
4. Students live in separate hostels according to their age and gender.
5. Students over the age of 18 are usually placed in separate hostels with a more relaxed set of rules and regulations.
6. We operate a minimum entry requirement for accommodation of Level 2 or higher. However, this can be reviewed at the discretion of the Residential Manager.

BCA provides a wide range of up-to-date resources to support students' studies and practical training such as The Animal Centre, The Skills Centre, The Science Building, and The Learning Centre.

The Courtyard Cafeteria and B’s Café offer a subsidised self service selection of hot and cold food and drinks to the students and there are sports facilities offered in the campus as well.

BCA do offers accommodation to the students via 40 bedrooms split between 4 blocks. There are on-site launderette and free web access across the accommodation blocks.

Located less than a 10 minute drive from Maidenhead town centre and just off the M4 and M40, the college’s pleasant and tree-filled campus is easily accessible from many wide surrounding areas.

The campus is surrounded by large open playing fields and landscaped areas. Ample free parking is available for students, staff and visitors.

There is clear signposting throughout the campus, so the college is easy to get around and all classrooms are easy to find. But if you do get lost, there is always a friendly member of staff nearby to point you in the right direction. Recent investment has also significantly improved access for students with disabilities.