Who they are
The Floristry School is an independent training school in Sheffield, founded in 2020 by Master Florists Abigail McGuire and Jo Biddle. It runs from a workshop at Eagle Works in Little Kelham, the Kelham Island quarter of the city.
Both founders are working teachers as well as florists. Jo Biddle is the Education and Training Director for the British Florist Association, and helped develop the national Level 2 and Level 3 florist apprenticeship standards alongside the BFA and the Institute for Apprenticeships. Abigail McGuire was named Floristry Tutor of the Year at the BFA FleurEx 2024 awards.
What they do
The school trains florists through accredited apprenticeships, accredited via The Sheffield College, where the founders first met. The live programmes are the Level 2 Florist Apprenticeship and the Level 3 Senior Florist Apprenticeship.
You do not have to live in Sheffield to take part. Apprentices study remotely from anywhere in England, with one day a week of college learning, so a shop and apprentice anywhere in the country can use it.
Who they help
The apprenticeships suit florists employed in a retail floristry shop for at least 30 hours a week, and the employers taking them on. Level 2 builds a competent junior florist; Level 3 develops senior florists who can run events, supervise and mentor.
The school also runs masterclasses and workshops for established florists who want to develop specific design skills. A Level 4 Higher Diploma and Level 5 Master Diploma are in development.
Services and programmes
Apprenticeships
- Level 2 Florist Apprenticeship - around 21 months across 6 phases, training a competent junior florist. Covers safe working, botanical knowledge and conditioning, floral design across several mediums, customer service and workroom organisation. Three end-point assessments.
- Level 3 Senior Florist Apprenticeship - the next step after Level 2, developing senior florists. Adds advanced techniques (wiring, manipulation, water retention), event work, supervision and mentoring.
Both are accredited through The Sheffield College, run with the BFA and the Institute for Apprenticeships, and can be studied remotely from anywhere in England with one day a week of college learning. Apprentices need to be employed in a retail floristry shop for at least 30 hours a week.
Short courses and workshops
- Masterclasses and design workshops for established florists
- A Level 4 Higher Diploma and Level 5 Master Diploma are in development