Peter Bonney

DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING

I prefer to lead students into developing their own understanding of the subject being taught rather than stand there and tell them what to think. I do this by a short description of the subject and some of the pit falls or obstacles in the path and then by a series of questions and discussions encourage the student to find the answers. I believe this is known as the Socration method of teaching

WHAT WILL STUDENTS GAIN IF THEY COME ON ONE OF YOUR COURSES?

An understanding and experience of the subject.

ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR TECHNIQUES/PROCESSES YOU USE IN YOUR TEACHING?

I like to keep my teaching as practical and interactive as possible by using hands on projects and exercises and group discussions .

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR OWN WORK?

Nature, the sculpture of Andy Goldsworthy, late 20th Century sculpture and art,

WHERE DID YOU GAIN YOUR TRAINING/EXPERIENCE? (INCLUDE ANY QUALIFICATIONS)

I was brought up with a family of professional and very keen amateur gardeners. I have been using the Latin nomenclature since the age of about 5. I trained as a teacher of Geography and Geology and used to lead expeditions every other year to far flung places like the Sahara desert , Artic circle Canary Islands , Pyrenees,( walked their length twice) the Swiss Alps, and many parts of Britain. My role in these expeditions was as the botanist observing and recording the plant life and habitats. I tehn retarined as an interior designer and designed exhibition stands and then house interiors, and the last twelve years gardens .

WHAT TEACHING EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD?

I taught in the school classroom for 28 years as head of the department and finally as a deputy headteacher. I have tutored on the interior design course I followed and also occasionally the garden design course run by the college( KLC). I am still tutoring on the interior design courses on a regular basis. i.e a couple of three times a month

HAVE YOU WRITTEN ANY BOOKS/HAD ARTICLES PUBLISHED?

NO

DO YOU BELONG TO ANY PROFFESSIONAL GROUPS/SOCIETIES?

Royal Horticultural society.