PSC Details and Applications
THE PRACTICAL SUSTAINABILITY COURSE
**Stop Press** This course is now FULL. Please get in contact if you wish to be put on the reserve list.
2010 – 2011 Course dates
The course starts in September 2010 (this is later than advertised).
| Term | Start | Finish |
| Term 1 (7 weeks) | Tuesday 7th September | Thursday 21st October |
| Half Term | Friday 22nd October | Monday 1st November |
| Term 2 (7 weeks) | Tuesday 2nd November | Thurs 16th December |
| Christmas Holiday | Friday 17th December | Monday 3rd January |
| Term 3 (7 weeks) | Tuesday 4th January | Thursday 17th February |
| Half Term | Friday 18th February | Monday 28th February |
| Term 4 (6 weeks) | Tuesday 1st March | Thursday 7th April |
| Easter Holiday | Friday 8th April | Monday 25th April |
| Term 5 (5 weeks) | Tuesday 26th April | Thursday 26th May |
| Half Term | Friday 27th May | Monday 6th June |
| Term 6 (8 weeks) | Tuesday 7th June | Thursday 28th July |
Course Hours. 16 hours teaching per week for 40 weeks. Tuesday and Wednesday 9.am to 5pm and Thursday 9am to 1.00pm.
Course Outline. The course is split into ten modules; Soil and Ecology, Permaculture Design, Organic Horticulture, Woodland Management, Green Building, Energy, Re-localisation, Working in Groups and Creating Change and Community Engagement. Modules are taught as a mix of classroom and on-site practical learning and field visits. Each module will have a lead tutor plus guest experts. Classroom teaching will be a mix of information, participatory workshops, film, slides and student research.
Design Assignments. Within each of the main modules there will be an ongoing series of design assignments on new or existing community and land projects, in line with their aims. This will provide you with an opportunity to gain design skills in a ‘real world’ context. These assignments will include both individual and group work.
Field Trips. There will be a range of field trips in Bristol and further afield for example in Devon, Wales, East Sussex and Gloucestershire. Travel arrangements for these trips will be made at the start of each term. You will be given details of all the field trips at the start of the course.
Tutors. Course tutors include Sarah Pugh, Patrick Whitefield, Dr Chris Johnstone, Jackson Moulding, Matt Dunwell, Justin Smith, Jenni Horsfall, Glennie Kindred, Max Drake, Alice Cutler, Jay Abrahams, Andy Hamilton, Trevor Houghton, Jim O’Shaughnessy, Tim Foster, Laura O’Regan, Ben Law, Nick Osborne, Mike Feingold and Chris Vernon.
Work Experience. There will be an option to take work experience placements with local groups and organisations within Bristol. This is in addition to the course hours. Lead tutors will discuss these opportunities on an individual basis and provide support.
Venues. The indoor classroom sessions will take place in the new annex of St Werburgh’s Community Centre. The annex is a newly added feature of the community centre and has a sedum roof, PV and underfloor heating. The venue is easily accessible by bike from the city centre, walking distance from Stapleton Road Train St and near to local bus routes including the number 5. The venue also has nearby parking and onsite bicycle racks. The organic horticulture module will take place at Boiling Wells Youth Project, St Werburghs City Farm, St Werburghs, Bristol. There are regular buses from the centre, bike racks but limited car parking availability. There will be a variety of land-based sessions around the city, maps and directions will be provided for any off-site sessions.
Fees. The fee is £1,800 per student for the full year’s tuition. A booking deposit of £400 is required. The remainder to be paid at the start of the course or by three instalments by arrangement. We are currently seeking funding to provide bursaries but at this time are unable to offer any concessions. If you are involved in a community project or Transition Town it may be possible for your group to raise funds for your fees as part of their volunteer training budget. We will update the site if we manage to get funding.
Booking.
**Stop Press** This course is now FULL. Please get in contact if you wish to be put on the reserve list.
Please email shiftbristol@yahoo.co.uk for a booking form. Places will be confirmed on receipt of booking form and deposit. You can apply up until the start date September 7th but places are given on a first come first served basis. If you have any special requirements regarding access please contact us to discuss. See fees and bookings for information on how to apply.