Bookings for the Practical Sustainability Course 2024-2025 will open at the end of January 2024.

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2024 - 2025

Please read the Essential Information carefully before applying.

OPEN EVENTS - A chance to meet course organisers and talk to previous students

• April 20th @ 1-3pm @ Gasworks (our main classroom), 27 Narroways Rd, Bristol, BS2 9XB
• May 15th @ 6.30-8.30 Zoom : Link will be added closer to the time
• June 22nd @ 1-3pm @ Gasworks (our main classroom), 27 Narroways Rd, Bristol, BS2 9XB

Applying for the course

We fill the course on a first come, first served basis. There is no application deadline.

There are 30 places available.

Part-concessionary and Full-concessionary places are limited.

Course dates for (PSC)2023 to 2024

The course dates match Bristol school term times, including all holidays.

Term 1: Tuesday 3 September to Thursday 24 October 2024

Term 2: Tuesday 5 Nov to Thursday 19 December 2024

Term 3: Tuesday 7 January to Thursday 13 February 2025

Term 4: Tuesday 25 February to Thursday 3 April 2025

Term 5: Tuesday 23 April to Thursday 22 May 2025

Term 6: Tuesday 3 June to Thursday 21 July 2025

Course Timings

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Taught sessions approx 9.30am to 3.30pm. Students will be notified of any changes in advance.

Timings may differ during certain course activities and approx timnings do not include travel/commuting time.

During most terms there is the inclusion of an overnight fieldtrip (1-2 nights).

It is a requirement that students commit to regular and ongoing attendance throughout the year.

Costs

Course Fees - these cover all tuition, materials and field trip accommodation.

• Full fee : £3,695
• Half concession* : £3,095
• Full concession* : £2,495

Visit here, for details on who can apply for a concessionary place.

You can apply for a concessionary place when filling out our your application form.

Deposit

When your application is successful you will be asked to pay a non-refundable £550 deposit to confirm your place.

The remaining Course Fees - Two options

• Paid in full by September 1st 2023, by BAC transfer.
• Payment by instalments. Details of instalment plans here.

Additional costs;

• Shared fuel costs travelling to field visits/overnight stays/roundhouse build site.
• Shared evening meal and breakfast costs when staying on overnight fieldtrips.
• Refundable library deposit of £20 for the year.
• Suitable clothing and footwear for participating in practical learning and outdoor activities.
• Optional purchase of kit e.g. compass, tape measure, pen knife, secateurs etc.

Accessibility

Aspects of the course are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. See Terms and Conditions for more information. Please let us know on application about anything that may affect your ability to participate fully in the course. We strive to be inclusive and are happy to discuss support we can offer to enable participation. We will offer you a place if we can reasonably provide for your needs whilst making sure you are safe and gaining a valuable experience from the course.

Diversity

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive course experience that promotes and values diversity. Groups that are diverse in; age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability and ethnicity etc, create a rich environment for shared perspective and personal growth. We actively seek to find a range of tutors and practitioners from different backgrounds and approaches. We value openness to new ideas, information, and viewpoints.

Course Structure

All of our teaching is delivered in real time and majoritvely in-person (if a tutor is unable to pop into the classroom they deliver their sessions via Zoom; we gather and tune-in collectively). Whether we are indoors, outdoors we ensure our teaching is interactive and participatory.

The PSC is delivered by an ever-evolving cracking team of over 40 tutors and practitioners, who bring with them their passion, expertise and pioneering spirit. All tutors apply their knowledge on the ground, so their information is fresh, dynamic and adaptive. They believe in working collaboratively and with and/or for meeting the needs of communities. We visit many of them in their natural environment, so we get to see the successes, challenges and results of their work when we visit them.

See the full description of the Course Modules and Tutor Biographies.

Design Projects

As part of the PSC students participate in four design projects; introduction to permaculture design, soil and ecology, growing & abundance design and finally permaculture design consultancy. Students work in small groups to produce designs for new or existing community and land projects, in line with the client’s aims. This is an opportunity to gain design skills in a real world context. Past design clients have included; the National Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust, Edible Futures, Sims Hill Shared Harvest, Solar Sense and many more.

Field Trips

During the course we will visit many local projects to learn from and be inspired by what is happening in and around Bristol - often with the added bonus or reacquainting with previous students now leading their own ventures. In previous years further afield trips have included; Tinkers Bubble, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Brithdir Mawr Community, Five Penny Farm, Ourganics, Ragmans Lane Farm, Bioaqua Farm, East Devon Forest Garden.

Venues

As a nomadic organisation our teaching takes place across a variety of locations. Our main indoor classroom is based in St Werburghs, at the beautiful Gasworks studio. It is easily accessible by bike, walking and bus and train routes. There is on street parking and bike racks in the garden. Gasworks is close to our organic horticulture allotment and various community projects and gardens we visit and work on; including our Shifty allotment in St Werburghs, Mike Feingold's permaculture allotment at Royate Hill, the gorgeous green spaces at Grow Wilder in Frenchay.

Library

We have a library of over 350 of the most relevant books on all aspects of Practical Sustainability. Books are available to borrow throughout the year.

Student Discounts

• Students receive a 25% discount to use in the Permanent Publications online bookshop - home of the excellent Permaculture Magazine.
• Students are eligible to purchase and use TOTUM cards. Offering a wide range of student discounts; including 16-25 railcards.

Accreditation

The course is deliberately not accredited. We choose to teach for the love of learning; enabling students to engage with the curriculum from all angles and develop diverse skills within a collaborative culture. Permaculture is in the doing. Past students have appreciated the non-pressured learning environment and the opportunities to discover and explore their own unique passions and pathways. We value the strengths and individuality of each student to manifest positive change in the world in their own style.

We provide a high quality education and our tutors have extensive teaching and practical experience. We have a great reputation and students make connections within our growing network of practitioners, projects and organisations. Our students have been successful in finding employment, taking further education and apprenticeships, starting ventures and enterprises and many more rewarding avenues. We are confident that the knowledge and skills gained on this course are of value to anyone wanting to work with sustainability either professionally or in their home or community.

Certification

Full attendance and participation in the course earns a Permaculture Design Certificate certified by the Permaculture Association UK. Work completed on the course can contribute to the Permaculture Association's 'Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design' portfolio.