Growing Skills and Confidence at Blaise Plant Nursery
Nine students from Years 10 and 11 at Ashton Park School recently stepped out of the classroom and into the glasshouse for a hands-on visit to Blaise Plant Nursery.
The group, who are working towards their ASDAN qualification, visited the nursery to deepen their understanding of horticulture and gain practical experience to support their own school allotment project.
The morning began with a warm welcome from Nursery Manager Rod Pooley, who introduced students to the scale and purpose of the nursery. Students were fascinated to learn about the wide range of plants grown on site, from those destined for Bristol’s parks and green spaces to orders supplied to commercial customers and local authorities across England.
A guided tour of the nursery followed, giving students the chance to see operations up close. They explored the glasshouses, learned about seasonal growing cycles, and discovered just how much planning, teamwork and expertise goes into producing high-quality plants for public spaces.
The visit also included an open and engaging discussion about careers in horticulture. Rod spoke about the different routes into the industry, the variety of roles available, and the skills that help people succeed — from practical, hands-on ability to teamwork, patience and attention to detail.
Finally, it was time to roll up sleeves and get stuck in.
Students took part in a practical potting session inside the glasshouse, preparing plants that will go on sale to members of the public in the garden centre. For many, this was the highlight of the day, applying new skills in a real working environment and contributing to something tangible and meaningful.
The visit was a hugely positive experience for the group. The supportive and welcoming environment at Blaise Plant Nursery gave students the confidence to ask questions, try new tasks and see how their interests in outdoor work could translate into future opportunities.
Rod Pooley, Nursery Manager noted:
“It was great to see how engaged the students were with the potting activity, they were naturals and did a really good job.”
One learner was keen to return to see the plants they’d prepared on sale, saying:
“I want to come back and buy one of my plants from the shop!”
Whilst another looked forward to applying what they’d learned back at the allotment:
“I didn’t know you could grow bananas in Bristol! I want to grow some now.”
Bristol WORKS would like to extend a huge thank you to Rod and the team at Blaise Plant Nursery for hosting such an engaging and inclusive visit. Experiences like this play a vital role in helping young people explore career pathways, build practical skills and see how their learning connects to the wider world.
We’re excited to see how the students apply what they’ve learned as they continue developing their school allotment, and who knows, perhaps this visit planted more than just seedlings – who knows what future careers might now be taking root?
