Reaseheath College is one of the UK's leading land-based further education colleges offering a range of diplomas, apprenticeships, and adult courses. It is mainly located on the outskirts of Nantwich in Cheshire.
Their award-winning floristry department is recognised as one of the UK’s most successful and progressive providers of floristry education.
The staff are highly qualified and have commercial backgrounds, are passionate about floristry and floral design and are committed to teaching their craft to the highest level. The department has been established for over 50 years and has an outstanding reputation for training.
Classes take place in dedicated studios and are practical and creative in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Students are encouraged to achieve and have fun at the same time. As part of a formal qualification, students also complete work experience so they are fully prepared to join the industry.
Find out more from past student and current Instructor Robyn, who shares her top five reasons to study Floristry at Reaseheath College.
1. Learn from highly experienced floristry lecturers and guest speakers
In my opinion there is no better place to study Floristry than at Reaseheath College. You will be learning from the best as all of the floristry lecturers at Reaseheath have lots of experience working in the industry and a wealth of knowledge and advice to pass on to you. They also really care about their students and will go above and beyond to help you with anything you need, to ensure you get the most out of your time at college.
As well as the great lecturers, you will also benefit from visits from guest speakers from the industry. This will help to give you some ideas about what you can go on to do in your career once you complete your course, and advice on how to get there.
2. Train in fantastic floristry facilities
As a floristry student at Reaseheath College, you will spend a lot of time in the Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology. This is a new building with spacious, modern classrooms and all the tools and accessories you need to create stunning floral arrangements.
The Reaseheath campus is full of nature and the beautiful grounds are the perfect place to look for foliage and extra flowers to complete your designs too, so there really is no better place to study Floristry.
3. Use your creativity on a daily basis
If, like me, you are a creative person, you love nature, and you are looking for a practical course, studying Floristry is the perfect choice for you. The course does include theory lessons, but also a lot of practicals in the workshops too, where you can let your creativity run free.
We also get to take part in various activities and events outside of college, for example we decorate Arley Hall at the start of December for their Christmas extravaganza, where all the rooms in the Cheshire stately home are decorated with flower arrangements for Christmas.
4. Gain extra experience to prepare for your career
The lecturers at Reaseheath College are passionate about helping you become career ready, and they will support you in gaining extra experience outside of the classroom. For example, we regularly go on trips to various wholesalers and compete in external competitions, and you will also complete a substantial work placement too.
When I was a student there, I did my work placement with an event florist in Wilmslow and now as a staff member I offer some students the chance to complete their placement with me in the workshop, completing tasks such as conditioning flowers when they arrive and setting up classes.
All this experience looks great on your CV and will help you to secure a rewarding career doing what you love when you complete your course with us.
5. Make friends with similar interests to you
One of the things I loved about studying Floristry at Reaseheath College was getting to know everyone on my course as we all had so much in common. The groups are very supportive of each other, and willing to offer help whenever it’s needed. The lecturers are all really friendly too, and the lessons always have a great relaxed feel to them. I can’t recommend studying Floristry at Reaseheath highly enough.
Why study Floristry at Reaseheath?
Courses are industry focused so students enjoy behind the scenes visits to floristry shows and businesses, allowing them to fully understand what goes on in the industry.
Students will become career ready and enjoy being taught by highly qualified staff with commercial backgrounds and a passion for floristry.
Students will also complete relevant work experience and, at college, produce designs for clients under supervision. They may also work in the local community, preparing displays for hospices, stately homes and flower festivals.
Additionally, Students could compete in national competitions such as WorldSkills UK or be on a medal winning team at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park or RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Reaseheath College courses range from introductory level to in-depth, industry recognised courses up to City & Guilds Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry.
With many different courses which is the right course for you?
City and Guilds Level 2 Floristry
If you’re creative and keen to develop practical floristry skills, this course will give you an overview of the industry. Expert staff will teach you the design principles and technical skills required by a junior florist through ‘hands-on’ practical sessions and relevant work experience.
What will you study?
Identification and processing of cut materials
Introduction to art and design for florists
Identification and maintenance of plants and planted designs
Hand-tied and presentation designs
Funeral and sympathy designs
Simple wedding designs with floral materials and accessories
Display of goods
Introduction to working within the floristry industry
Floral arrangements for various occasions
Function decorating using floral displays
Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
How long will it take?
1 year, full-time
What qualifications do you need to start?
4 GCSEs at a grade 4/C or above including or working towards English & Maths, or
A dedicated and professional approach towards commercial floristry skills
What qualifications will you gain?
City and Guilds Level 2 in Floristry
Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
Course options after this programme
You can progress on to the City and Guilds Level 3 in Floristry on achieving a Merit or above in Level 2
Career options
Florist in retail industry
Floral designer for external venues and occasions
Employment in holiday and leisure industries in the UK and abroad
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma Floristry
This comprehensive course offers specialist training and advanced techniques such as creative floral design, botany, business skills and design innovation. You can join study tours and get your designs noticed at prestigious competitions like the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and WorldSkills UK.
What will you study?
Principles of health and safety
Undertake and review work related experience
Principles of the creative design process
Plant and flower care
Tied floral designs
Floral designs in a medium
Wired floral designs
Glued floral designs
Business management and marketing in floristry
Trends in the floristry industry
Event floristry
Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
Assessment methods
Ongoing formative assessment
Multiple choice Health & Safety exam
Written knowledge exam
Synoptic exam
How long will it take?
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
What qualifications do you need to start?
4 GCSEs at 4/C or above, or
Merit at Level 2 in Floristry, City & Guilds, or
Alternative professional qualification in Floristry at Level 2
What qualifications will you gain?
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Floristry
Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications
Course options after this programme
You can progress on to the Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry
Career options
Florist/Manager in retail industry
Floral designer for external venues and occasions or wedding planner
Work in holiday and leisure industries in the UK and abroad
Teaching, assessing and demonstrating floristry
Self employment
(ICSF) Level 4 Higher Diploma Floristry
If you want to develop your creative skills and learn essential business acumen to prepare for success in the floristry industry, this is the course for you. Applying a comprehensive range of techniques to challenging portfolio briefs, your design skills will evolve throughout your course so that your signature style and personal brand will set you apart from the competition in the industry.
Course Overview
Our floristry department is recognised as one of the most successful providers of floristry training in the UK. Taught by highly experienced staff with commercial backgrounds, you will improve your craft and learn to produce designs to excellent standards of professional workmanship. Self-exploration will increase your independence and develop your confidence, so you will be able to deal with the changing nature of commercial floristry, both in design style and rapidly developing marketing techniques.
Course Features
Workshops from industry professionals
The latest trends and innovations
Opportunities to showcase your creations at BFA Fleurex, Manchester Flower Festival and RHS Tatton Flower Show
Career Options
Florist shop owner
Bespoke floral design
Floral display
Freelance florist
Demonstrator
Teacher
(NDSF) Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry
If you aspire to be the best of the best in the commercial floristry industry, this challenging course will equip you with the skills needed to become an innovative floral designer working to the highest standards of professional floristry. The intrinsic approach of this course will help you to tailor the development of your floral design skills towards your own personal style, enabling you to blaze your own trail. You will also research current and cultural trends adapting design styles to meet the increasingly diverse requirements of the floristry industry.
Course Overview
You will perfect your floral design skills and develop your own personal style, while researching current and cultural trends and adapting design styles to meet the increasingly diverse requirements of the floristry industry. Employing eco-friendly working practices is in our nature and will ensure that you are in an excellent position to drive forward the rise in sustainable ways to create stunning floral displays.
Course Features
Workshops from industry professionals
Explore the latest trends and innovations
Showcase your creations at BFA Fleurex, Manchester Flower Festival and RHS Tatton Flower Show
Career Options
Bespoke floral designer
Wedding and event specialist
Sustainable, artisan florist
Demonstrator
Lecture
If you aspire to be the best of the best in the floristry industry, Reaseheath College will take you to that ultimate level. As well as working to the highest standards of professional floristry, you’ll also develop your commercial acumen, allowing you to make the most of a blooming market worth over £800m in the UK alone.
Reaseheath College are a finalist in the Student Team Competition at the Interflora World Cup in Manchester.
