Education

RHS Vision for Learning

Education is central to the Society’s charitable purpose. One of our key responsibilities is to increase understanding among a new generation of gardeners, not only of the pleasure that plants bring, but also of the economic, social and environmental value of plants and growing them. This is one of the reasons we have introduced our Vision for Learning policy - Cultivating Futures - which puts plants at the heart of people's lives.

Download an Adobe Acrobat pdf (794KB) of our Cultivating Futures document
See how The Glasshouse will help us realise this vision along with the Clore Learning Centre

Horticultural training

One of the main aims of the RHS has always been to train gardeners of the future . Students have been learning their craft at RHS Garden Wisley since 1907, and more recently at Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr. Every year applications for our placements are received from all over the world.

Qualifications

Nationally recognised professional qualifications are essential in any field, and the Society's qualifications have been hallmarks of excellence for more than 100 years.

Careers

Both aspects above give students a positive start in their search for horticultural careers .

Eight career changers who want to work in gardening professionally were given a unique opportunity to realise their dreams as part of a BBC television series hosted by the RHS at Wisley.
More information

Bursaries & scholarships

The RHS offers a number of bursaries and scholarships to assist in financing specific projects.

Schools and Families

The RHS has a programme of activities for children. The Campaign for School Gardening and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for teachers encourage schools to develop and actively use a school garden, while on-site visits for school groups fire the imagination of a future generation of gardeners.

The new RHS Garden Explorers area of the RHS website gives lots of information about exciting, family-friendly events, gardens to visit and fun activities to do.

Secondary school pupils and teachers may also enjoy the Glasshouse virtual tour . This tour contains imaginative games and stunning virtual walks bringing plants from around the world to life and is also a great tool for planning a visit to the Glasshouse.

College visits to Wisley

Students who wish to visit RHS Garden Wisley as a group, and are studying for a horticultural qualification, may visit the garden free of charge. Students studying for other qualifications will have to pay adult entry price into the garden.

Colleges need to pre-book their group into the garden with the Group Bookings Department.

Short courses and workshops

For gardeners wishing to learn practical skills, the RHS Education Department runs a full programme throughout the year of short courses, demonstrations, workshops and guided walks. You do not have to be an RHS member to attend.

For details of all RHS events try the RHS Event Finder .

Contacts

Use the following e-mail addresses to contact the various RHS educational departments

Qualifications: qualifications@rhs.org.uk
RHS training & careers: careerinfo@rhs.org.uk
Schools information: schools@rhs.org.uk
Bursaries: bursaries@rhs.org.uk
Short courses and workshops at RHS Garden Wisley: wisleyevents@rhs.org.uk