GENERAL INFORMATION
YEAR 1
welcome to betonica
2024 - 2025
WELCOME
Welcome to Year 1 of the Betonica Medical Herbalist Training Programme. Congratulations on taking your first steps into learning about the wonderful world of herbs and the body.
This introductory page contains the essential general course information and points you to all the relevant pages you need to familiarise yourself with and will be utilising throughout the entire academic year.
The school year is divided into three terms (Sept-Dec; Jan-May; Jun-August). Course materials are released 2-4 weeks prior to the start of term.
We will be going into more detail in regards to what’s expected of you throughout the year and examples of assignments etc., at your first seminar day in September.
HEAD OF YEAR 1
DR KIM WALKER
Researcher, Author & Medical Herbalist
Each year at Betonica has a lead teacher, known as the Head of Year. They are a point of contact for general student/course queries, pastoral support and feedback. On top of teaching sessions, the Head of Year will organise a group tutorial session at least once per term to review class learning. This will also be an opportunity for the student representative to provide course feedback.
Find out more about Kim: Kim Walker Research + Handmade Apothecary
Welcome! Thank you for choosing Betonica to embark upon your herbal journey. I am so pleased to support you on the first stages of your path, and hope we will know each other for many years to come. Please reach out if you have any questions.
— KIM WALKER, HEAD OF YEAR 1
seminar
TEACHERS
We pride ourselves in providing our students with a diverse array of teachers who are experts in their fields.
The Year 1 course features Carl Stanley teaching Anatomy & Physiology, Kim Walker and Helen Kearney teaching Introduction to Betonica, Kim Walker teaching History Ethics and The Law, Kitchen Pharmacy, Materia Medica, and online sessions, Fiona Gannon teaching Study Skills, Paula McCreary teaching Reflective Practice, Helen Kearney teaching Revision, Clinic Induction and Growing & Harvesting, and Kim Walker and Angela Seal teaching Botany.
PERSONAL ACADEMIC
TUTORS
Throughout the Betonica Medical Herbalist Training Programme, you will have the opportunity to work closely with a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). This person is assigned to you following the completion of the first seminar. The primary aim of these regular meetings is to create a supportive and constructive environment where you can freely discuss various aspects of the programme and receive guidance that will enhance your studies.
STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE
Each year group nominates one (or two) people to represent them at the Student Representative meetings held once a term with Head of Year at one of the seminar weekends. Comments will be discussed with Betonica Directors and feedback given by the Head of Year at the next students' rep meeting. We will discuss this at your Study Skills seminar so that you can nominate a student representative.
SEMINAR
WEEKENDS
The first seminar weekend will take place on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2024. See other dates below. Days run from 9.30am until 5.30pm with a lunch break from 1pm until 2pm.
All seminars have compulsory attendance. For the unexpected absences, a mitigation process is available.
ADDITIONAL
TUTORIALS
These short tutorials are not compulsory and do not count towards the attendance rate.
However, they are highly recommended to attend, especially if you have no previous experience in the subject. Recordings are made available.
CONTACT DETAILS
GENERAL AND SUBJECT-QUERIES
Herbal Forum (answered Monday -Friday between 9-5), and email / tutorials with kim@betonica.co.uk
PASTORAL SUPPORT
Contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). Your PAT is assigned to you after the first seminar weekend.
PERSONAL MATTERS
For all personal matters or concerns relating to the programme, please email helen@betonica.co.uk
ADMINISTRATION ENQUIRIES
For all enquiries regarding the learning platform, technical issues or general course enquiries, please email admin@betonica.co.uk
ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
For all financial enquiries, including fee payments and personal tutor/teacher invoices, please email accounts@betonica.co.uk
