Over the last ten years Writhlington Orchid Project has developed from a small scale school project with some interesting but limited curricular links into a global enterprise with a national and international reputation for the quality of science, horticulture, conservation and enterprise delivered through its innovative approach to real science based enterprise within a school framework.
The next ten years offers an opportunity to extend and broaden the project in both its enterprise scope and the educational opportunities it offers communities locally and across the tropical world.
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For students to set up and manage international conservation projects based around innovative enterprise and excellence in science.
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- Orchid Lab Management Team (Supported by Lab Specialist Team)
- Greenhouses Management (Supported by volunteers from years 7, 8 and 9)
- IT Manager (Supported by a student)
- Research consultant (Supported by Research workers in Applied Science, A Level and GCSE Applied Science
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A Level Applied Science Units 1, 7 and 16
GCSE Additional Applied Science – Unit 2 and unit 7
GCSE Core Science – Case Study
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Orchid Conservation Kits:
Independent enterprises focused on wholesale distribution of seedlings raised by pupils in the Writhlington Laboratory through significant UK outlets and supporting conservation initiatives in the tropical world.
- Guatemala Project
Linked to Yaxha Orchids Guatemala with sales through Bicton Park Botanic Gardens
- Costa Rica Project
Linked to the Lankester Botanic Gardens Costa Rica with sales through At Bristol
- Sikkim Project
Linked to the IUCN in Sikkim with sales through the Eden Project
- Gabon Project
Linked to a reserve in Gabon with sales through Hillier Garden Centres
Research Expeditions:
In the past three years expeditions have explored forests in Guatemala, Brazil and Costa Rica. April 2007 sees the first student visit to Laos.
Events - Major Science and horticulture events include:
- Gold Medal – Chelsea Show 2006
- RHS International Orchid Shows – Gold and Silver Gilt Medals 2006, Silver Gilt 2005, 2004, 2002
- European Orchid Show 2003 – Best small exhibit
- Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2004, Buckingham Palace Science Day 2006
- Media Coverage – extensive magazine and TV features in the UK, Europe and Central America.
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- The launch of the Paksong Project Laos, is the most exciting project to date and in the forefront of conservation practice.
- Sales through Kew gardens will start in 2007 to support this project.
- A Student has been awarded a grant to lecture at the Third International Orchid Conservation Conference in Costa Rica in March 2007.
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Staff Email :
Staff Intranet :
Moodle VLE :
School Letters