Our Strategic Objective
Our strategic objective in education is to promote and support learning at all levels - primary, secondary, and tertiary - as well as to encourage life-long learning and continuing professional development in the field of historic designed landscapes. This objective is primarily realised through the provision of Bursaries and grants for educational courses, as well as covering fees for conferences, training sessions, and other professional development opportunities.
Supporting Skills and Expertise in Devon
The historic designed landscapes of Devon require knowledgeable professional gardeners and specialists in the conservation and management of historic gardens and landscapes. By supporting those who work in these environments and highlighting the unique value of historic designed landscapes, we aim to contribute to the long-term sustainability of these special places. The Trust is committed to promoting horticulture in schools, raising awareness of the broad range of careers available in the sector, and supporting those who are already working within historic designed landscapes. Our efforts are delivered through several key initiatives.
Key Initiatives
Bursaries and Grants
The Trust offers a range of bursaries for education, study, and research to individuals who are ordinarily resident in Devon. These bursaries support:
- Course fees for individuals intending to pursue or already engaged in a career related to historic designed landscapes.
- Gardeners working in, or studying, historic designed landscapes with the costs associated with attending short courses, seminars, conferences, or workshops on relevant topics.
- Activities that promote public understanding and engagement with the history and significance of Devon’s garden and designed landscape heritage, such as research, surveys, and publications.
Devon Professional Gardeners' Network
The Trust also supports the Devon Professional Gardeners' Network, which aims to assist professional gardeners in Devon, particularly those working in historic gardens. The network offers bursaries and grants to enhance their capacity to care for the historic designed landscape. Additionally, the network provides mentoring opportunities and organises events to encourage the exchange of ideas and networking among gardeners. Notable events include ‘Let’s Go Wild’ and ‘Carbon in the Garden’, featuring respected speakers who deliver talks on biodiversity and climate change.
To participate in these activities, please contact [email protected]
WRAG Scheme (Work & Retrain As a Gardener Scheme)
In March 2025 the education committee visited Nethercott House to meet with Farms for City Children and the Devon WRAG Scheme co-ordinator. We were impressed by the work being done there and feel that a traineeship at Nethercott would be a good way to both help a worthy children’s charity and create an opportunity for a gardening trainee to gain horticultural training in a historic garden in Devon. The placement would not be possible without funding from the DGT. The WRAGS trainee scheme has been running for the past thirty years and is part of the WFGA organisation which has a 125-year tradition of nurturing Britain’s gardening talent.
The cost for a one-year trainee placement will be approximately £8,000 based on the trainee being paid the predicted National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour for the two days per week. This has been approved by the trustees and FCC and WRAGS are actively searching for an appropriate trainee.
This trainee placement helps the trainee, the charity and the many primary and secondary children who are help by Farms for City Children.
The education committee hope to continue similar support for a trainee at other Devon historic gardens in future years.
Support for Schools
In the past, the Trust has supported the Growing Devon Schools Partnership, which assists teachers in developing and delivering outdoor learning experiences linked to the school curriculum. This initiative inspires the next generation of gardeners, food growers, and farmers, and provides free training for teachers, teaching assistants, and school volunteers.
Events Programme
Members can take part in an events programme that includes lectures, visits, and study days, all designed to explore Devon’s rich legacy of historic gardens and open spaces.
Future Initiatives for 2026
The education committee are continually looking to see how best to meet their objectives and hope that next year will be even more successful, with emphasis on simpler and more effective bursaries, the Professional Gardeners’ Network, and developing better ways to engage with primary and secondary education.
The committee members are Ian Smith, Jane Knight, Peter Bieneman, Sue Minter and Penny Hammond. If you are interested in learning more about the committee’s work or want to help deliver our objectives please contact [email protected].
