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Flower Arranging
Flower Arranging

Flower Arranging

Level X
Gloucester

Course Overview

Part Time
Certificate
Shortlist and Apply

Participation in our evening classes provides far more than the opportunity to learn new skills but also numerous benefits to our mental health and wellbeing . Evening classes are known to lower stress levels, improve confidence, increase social integration, contribute to personal growth and lifelong learning to name just a few advantages.

This course is suitable for anyone who likes flowers and wants to learn how to arrange them, make the most of a limited selection, to stretch the imagination and present flowers in a new way. The course will cover flower arranging and floristry with a relaxed and fun approach. You will provide your own materials under guidance and be encouraged to select and choose containers, foliage and flowers yourself.

As this course is part of our leisure programme there is no formal assessment or qualification; you will be encouraged to keep a diary of your own progress with notes or photographs of your displays.  At some classes you can be creative and make your own containers. Environmental issues are taken into account and alternative eco friendly mechanics are encouraged and introduced.

Our tutor, Katherine Kear is a national demonstrator, stylist, designer, tutor, folklorist and florist extraordinaire. She has been working with flowers for over 30 years. As well as teaching floristry and flower arranging Katherine has been a regular contributor and researcher for BBC Radio Gloucestershire, where her love and passion for folk and life lore is shared with the listeners, her knowledge and expertise has been used on several television programmes, as well as appearing on them herself. She works regularly with several celebrity gardeners in an exciting flower arranging 'hands on'. Her major literary success was the publication of 'Flower Wisdom' in 2000. She was a consultant for The Usborne Little Book of Flowers and has edited Elements and Principles, and Flowers for Grand Occasions for NAFAS and 5 floristry syllabuses for ICS.

Katherine is described as 'Gloucestershire's answer to Joyce Grenfell' and her audiences and students are promised artistic and refreshing presentations filled with humour and repartee. She is also a British Master Florist. Find out more about Katherine here.

On the first session there will be an overview of the course, date and times will be given and a design will be made.

You will need a toolbox if you have one, or a pair of flower cutters. A note pad, pen, hand towel and box to transport the design will also be needed.  Bring a camera/phone to capture your results.

The materials for the first class will be provided by the tutor, at cost. Students will pay on the evening for the materials used (approximately £6).

We encourage early enrolments to allow Katherine the opportunity to gather an accurate amount of resources for the first session.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

  • create design for the home, gifts, celebrations and events
  • choose the materials needed and to condition and buy the flowers
  • understand the principles and elements of design
  • understand the history of floral designs and the difference between flower arranging and floristry

Summer Term 2024 @ Abbeydale Sports & Community Centre

Mondays, 1pm - 3pm, 10 weeks

  • April - 8th, 15th, 22nd
  • May - 20th
  • June -10th, 17th
  • July - 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

Autumn Term @ St Lawrence Church Hall, Wednesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 10 weeks

18th, 25th September
9th, 16th, 23rd October
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November
4th December

Spring Term 2025, @ St Lawrence Church Hall, Wednesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 10 weeks

22nd, 29th January
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th February
5th, 12th, 19th March
2nd April

Summer Term 2025, St Lawrence Church Hall, Wednesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 7 weeks

14th, 21st May
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 30th June

St Lawrence Church Hall, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3JB.  Limited parking is available in the Church grounds but there is street parking nearby.

Abbeydale Sports & Community Centre, Glevum Way, Gloucester, GL4 4BL. Plenty of onsite parking is available and the Phoenix Cafe is open all day.

 

  • There are no specific entry requirements for this course apart from a love of the subject, a wish to have a go and the ability to have fun. The course is suitable for all levels as you will be encouraged to develop at your own speed and to stretch yourself within the design that you are creating. Beginners will be helped to under stand the basics and then given the chance to experiment with help.

    Katherine will provide an overview and list of designs to be made during the course on the first session which can be subject to change based on feedback from learners who are encouraged to regularly share their expectations and ideas.

    Our recreational courses generally appeal to learners aged 19 and older (as at 31st August of the academic year).

  • There is no qualification associated with this course. Your tutor will be able to advise you of any progression opportunities as well as other flower arranging courses and events.

Shortlist and Apply

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Flower Arranging

What You Will Pay

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Working in the creative industries is challenging but exciting, and presents all kinds of job opportunities spanning fine arts, graphics, interior design, music, performing arts, photography, radio and television.

Gloucestershire College is part of an elite group of the best arts and media providers in the county. In fact, we’ve got a long history of producing successful students. We are proud of our industry connections with world-renowned and local artists, as well as employers who are actively involved with the College.

Through these links, we are able to provide invaluable work experience through live project briefs and exciting joint events. Trips are embedded throughout our creative courses to inspire you and broaden your experience. In recent years, our students have travelled to Amsterdam, Cannes, London, Milan, New York and Paris with their course.

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Student Stories

Sam Sek

I did one year of sixth form, but I wanted to focus on Art and felt like I'd rather use that skill to my best and focus on things I find more interesting. I prefer how visual it is. There’s a lot of thinking but it’s freer and you can do what you want really. We learn new skills and I like that we have multiple briefs – you don’t get burnt out and bored on one brief. I like how different the briefs are. You can pick one theme and really focus on that. I can put all my personal interests into the brief, so I got to design a poster for a tattoo shop in the style that I’m quite interested in.

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Ysabelle Leal

I’ve always liked fashion and I knew that college would help me more than sixth form. I need to be more practical, and I knew the college course would help me a lot more than sixth form – and it did! At college you meet a lot of different people, and they inspire me in different ways. It helps me grow by seeing how other people’s minds work. That wouldn't have happened if I’d stayed in my school!

Ysabelle Leal

FASHION, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Brianny Witts

I applied to GC to explore my creativity with the resources that they provide for their arts students. I came to an Open Evening and was very interested and excited so applied straight away. The lecturers are very good at getting the most of me. There are so many materials to choose from and print facilities. I want to be a fashion designer and my second year briefs have allowed me to tailor my work to this goal. If you’re looking to explore your talents in a friendly, well-equipped facility, apply to GC.

Brianny Witts

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus
Kamran Delestan

Going to college was more affordable than going to university, which really appealed to me as I didn’t want lots of debt but would be just as qualified as a university student. I chose the course as I want to be a sound engineer. I could learn more about music generally in the HNC and then specialise this year in my HND, by choosing certain modules to complete. After this course I want to do my top-up year at University of West London and specialise in live sound engineering. The college has already helped me start the application process.

Kamran Delestan

MUSIC, HNC/HND

Gloucester Campus
Crystal Francis

I started studying my A Levels but didn’t enjoy it, so decided to study fashion at GC instead. I feel much more motivated on this course as it’s something I really enjoy and I get a lot of direction from lecturers. On the course we are given a brief but have lots of freedom to do our own thing, and I really enjoy elements such as trend forecasting and marketing. I would say as long as you’re applying to something you really want to do; you’ll get what you need from studying at GC."

Crystal Francis

Extended Diploma Level 3 – Fashion

Cheltenham Campus
Tom Zheng

I did work experience at GC and really liked the vibe, the people and learned a lot. I enjoyed Level 3 Music and wanted to learn more so decided to progress onto the HND. The resources and lectures have been great. I liked the practical activities the most: playing, performing and creating compositions. My dream is to be a live performer and GC has helped me achieve that by educating me on the music business and I’m currently in negotiation with a record label.

Tom Zheng

MUSIC, HND

Gloucester Campus
Laura Ignacio

The best skill I learned at GC was the way of experimenting with everything – I learned to say yes. College really taught me that I can make anything and explore different pathways; it taught me to be adaptable and that I can learn any skill. If I don’t know skills or techniques I have the tools here to learn them really fast. I could learn about set design, and I could learn about sculpting at the same time, and I can learn about painting at the same time, and learn every single one of those skills very well.

Laura Ignacio

ART AND DESIGN - LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Vin Blick

I was in bands throughout school and did live sound engineering at local festivals and pubs with friends. I chose my course because I’m hoping to be a live sound engineer – and I’d definitely recommend college if you want to go into production or performance. I’ve formed great relationships with my lecturers and you get so much knowledge and understanding of the industry. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and got a great understanding of how to set up sound equipment, using the spaces and the equipment you have to make the best sound.

Vin Blick

MUSIC PRODUCTION, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Art Rooms

Our art rooms are spacious areas for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. Across our campus, they have large windows overlooking our campuses or the countryside while allowing natural light through. You’ll find tools and materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, sculpting clay, and other supplies with display areas for showcasing completed works of art.

Drama Room Theatre

Drama Room Theatre

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Recording and Music Studios

Recording and Music Studios

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Dance Studios

Dance Studios

Our dance studio at Gloucester Campus is designed for rehearsals and performances. Here you’ll find a sprung floor to absorb the shock and friction of movement, a full-length wall of mirrors, a ballet beam, and a sound system for music.

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Next Steps

Find out more

Check the progress of your application and find out everything you need to know about the application and enrolment process at GC.

Open Events & Campus Tours

Join us for our next event and check us out for yourself. We hold Open Evenings several times a year where you can explore our campuses, meet the teaching teams and explore life at GC.

Application FAQs

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