Monmouth Comprehensive school have become the first school in Wales to deliver the OCR Environmental and Land-based Science GCSE.

Working with Coleg Gwent in Usk, the school has gained a 100% pass rate. This innovative new qualification began in 2006 and is the first and only GCSE that is completely e-assessed.

 Tim Bird, deputy head of the school, is one of the teachers delivering the Environmental and Land-based Science GCSE.

 He said, "The course engages students in the learning process because it is often relevant to either their lives or the surroundings in which they live.

"It helps explain the agricultural landscape of the UK and where our food comes from and also gives students the opportunity to investigate the science behind food production, farming, and horticulture generally.

"The practical and applied nature of the course and the methods of e-assessment support students in their development of transferable learning skills".

 One of the methods of teaching involves travel by minibus to Coleg Gwent's Usk campus once a fortnight to attend outdoor learning sessions at a farm where students get to work with live animals. Feeding, milking and fertilizing all feature as part of the course.

 The course also forms part of the Monmouthshire 14-19 Learning Pathways network development plan and is approved by the Welsh Assembly Government for delivery at key stage four.

 The course combines experiences in the classroom, laboratory and field with technical knowledge, skills and understanding needed for further study and vocational opportunities in the Land and Environment sector.

Students consider and evaluate their own data and conclusions and use ICT to research, present and organise information while making both pragmatic and ethical judgements, evaluating evidence and considering the implications for society.

The course involves candidates in a range of practically-based activities which enable them to build an electronic portfolio of their achievements.