Ploughing Ahead

Stamford School is excited to confirm it will soon be offering a Level 3 BTEC in Agriculture – this will begin in September 2025.

Due to increasing student demand and interest, they’re going to be offering this exciting and interesting course for anyone keen to learn more about agriculture and farming practices. The Level 3 BTEC qualification could lead to degree and apprenticeship opportunities such as a BSc in Agriculture, BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Animal Science, BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Crop Management, BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Environmental Management or BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Farm Business Management.

Stamford School is immensely proud of its position within Lincolnshire, a county renowned for its rich rural heritage and deep-rooted connections with agriculture. Lincolnshire’s been called ‘the Breadbasket of Britain’, and it’s easy to see why once you’ve been there: the county is characterised by its fertile plains, making it a hub for crop production, arable, and livestock farming. The region’s economy thrives on the agricultural industry, producing a significant portion of the nation’s grains, vegetables, and livestock.

Chris Smith, Deputy Head Academic at Stamford School, comments: ‘At Stamford, we strongly believe that education plays a pivotal role in maintaining agricultural legacy, and we are delighted to now offer this BTEC course to our students and those across the county and surrounding areas who may be looking for a course of this nature. As British agriculture faces challenges from climate change, labour shortages, and evolving trade policies, Lincolnshire is leading efforts to innovate. Young farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, such as precision farming and renewable energy integration, ensuring the sector’s resilience. By nurturing the next generation of agriculturalists, we can help shape the future of British farming in a rapidly changing world’.

‘The course at Stamford will be a three-A-level equivalent course,’ continues Chris, ‘and we anticipate that most students will take this as their full-time academic commitment in the Sixth Form. A small number of students might wish to follow the two-A-level equivalent course alongside another A-level as long as they meet our entry requirements for the A-level pathway. The entry requirements for the course will be a 4.5 GCSE average point score, including a 5 in English and Mathematics’.