For teachers and advisors

At the University of Reading, we regularly engage with schools and colleges at a number of levels. We collectively run an extensive programme of outreach activities, providing bespoke on- and off-campus talks and activities for students, teachers and careers advisors. We also employ teams of student mentors and ambassadors who can give the 'student angle' on life at Reading. In terms of teaching resources and facilities, our main library, 3 museums (for example The Museum of English Rural Life where current exhibitions consider sustainability) and Sports Park are also available to you.

Within our Departments, we are also very keen to develop closer relations with students, teachers and advisors in secondary schools and colleges. We can offer activities which relate to the National Curriculum at either KS3, 4 or 5. Examples include:

1. Dissection of a stillborn lamb to see the body from the inside and observe how all the organs fit together (Please note that these animals died of natural causes and were not put down for the purposes of the dissection).
2. Year of Food and Farming where days include activities such as 'food from farm to table' – starting off with the cows and ending up making cheese.
3. Farm visits to consider all aspects including health and safety in the workplace for GCSE Applied Science

If you would like to find out more about the School, our areas of study and what we can do for you, we would be happy to hear from you.

The School of Agriculture Policy and Development has produced a set of Learning Resources for F.E. and H.E. staff, sponsored by Progress South Central Lifelong Learning Network.

As your students are preparing their UCAS applications a common question is "what should I write in my personal statement?" Here is a presentation giving you some hints and tips for your UCAS personal statement (PDF - 85KB).

There are lots of websites out there which may be useful to you but here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Institutes and Agencies

• DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) the UK government department has information on many areas which may be useful to you including:

•   Animal Health and Welfare
•   Environmental Protection 
•   Exports and Trade
•   Farming
•   Marine & Fisheries
•   Food & Drink
•   Horticulture
•   Plants & Seeds 
•   Research & Analysis
•   Rural Affairs
•   Sustainable Development
•    Wildlife & Countryside

There are also links to various other websites including Government Departments – United Kingdom, Other United Kingdom agriculture, environment and rural affairs departments, Non-departmental public bodies and agencies, Parliaments and assemblies, Government departments – Europe and overseas, Legislation and Official publications and Research http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/contacts/links.htm

• The Environment Agency "We are the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It's our job to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world."

• The Institute of Biology is the professional body for UK biologists, its members work in industry, research, education and healthcare, amongst other areas.

• The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is an independent Government department ‘set up to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food’.

• HEA Centre for Bioscience, one of the Higher Education Academy subject centre’s designed to support teaching and learning in the bioscience area – may only really apply to A level but still a useful resource

Animals

• Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) which works ‘with the British meat and livestock industry (cattle, sheep and pigs) to (1) improve its efficiency and competitive position and to maintain and (2) stimulate markets for British meat at home and abroad while taking into account the needs of the consumers’ .

• Working with the MLC are the British Pig Executive, English Beef and Lamb Executive, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and Quality Meat Scotland(QMS)

• The Dairy Council is a ‘non-profit making organisation which provides science-based information on the role of dairy foods as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle’

• The Milk Development Council (MDC) ‘works towards creating an increased demand for milk supplied by profitable British dairy farmers’

• The British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) aims ’to enhance the understanding of animal sciences and to promote its integration into economic and ethical systems. It is committed to improving the productivity and welfare of farm animals and the quality and safety of food, whilst protecting the environment’

• Farmers Weekly Interactive the online version of the popular agriculture magazine with plenty of information and articles available.

• The New Scientist online access to the popular science magazine again plenty of articles and information available.

Nutrition

• The Nutrition Society was established ‘to advance the scientific study of nutrition and its application to the maintenance of human and animal health’

• The British Nutrition Foundation ‘promotes the wellbeing of society through the impartial interpretation and effective dissemination of scientifically based knowledge and advice on the relationship between diet, physical activity and health’

Wildlife and Conservation

• There are 47 local Wildlife Trusts (TWT) all ‘working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone’

• Natural England  ‘works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas’

• The British Grassland Society  brings professionals together who all have an active interest in the science and practice of temperate grassland production and utilization and publishes materials

Other useful links

• Engage in Research  is a web site designed to help science undergraduates with advice and assistance with many aspects of scientific research for example scientific writing, statistics and presenting findings. This is a very useful website for encouraging independent learning as students can navigate it at their own pace.

• BSI (British Standards Institution) – Environmental Management Systems

• Climate change and global warming portal

• Intute: science, engineering and technology: a database with some 33,800 records covering the physical sciences, engineering, computing, geography, mathematics and environmental science

• Hyfoma: a knowledge portal for those involved in food manufacturing and a market place for engineers and food processing manufacturers

• Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) the UK trade body that brings together all types of social enterprise to promote the sector and share knowledge

• The UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) a network for those interested in environmental law

• WIRE is a network for rural women in business offering business support and support for women involved in rural business all over the UK