Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus has undergone significant redevelopment over the past six months with support from the Department for Education’s T Level Capital fund.
The campus, located near Ponteland, has upgraded its land-based facilities including a commercial livestock farm, with a specialist Sheep Management Centre, BIAZA registered zoo and BHS approved Equine centre, providing students with real life working environments to prepare them for a career in the agriculture industry.
Offering several pathways, such as vocational and T Level courses, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to enter the sector through employment or as an apprentice.
Those who wish to work within the agriculture, land management and production industry, will learn the core knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of agriculture related and land-based occupations.
Based at the college’s Kirkley Hall Campus, students will cover topics such as health and safety, business, working in agriculture and sustainability.
Students can progress into employment into agriculture industry in roles such as a farmer, assistant farm manager (livestock or crops), stockperson, herdsman, farm secretary, livestock technician, or decide to study further within university.
Other agriculture courses are practical based programmes covering a range of units intended for those who have an interest in farming and working outdoors. Students will gain a wide range of practical skills and knowledge with the opportunity to develop these working on the college farms.
Claire Gibson, Land Based Curriculum Manager at Education Partnership North East said: “The new agriculture facilities and specialist equipment will enable us to deliver an excellent experience for our Livestock Production T Level learners and allows us to prepare them well for their next steps, either in further or higher study or direct to industry.”
Launched in 2020, T Levels are geared to give young people a head start towards their chosen career. Developed in collaboration with employers, they combine classroom learning and on-the-job experience specifically designed to meet the needs of industry and prepare students for the world of work.
The T Levels include a new flagship two-year agricultural programme, developed in collaboration with employers and the equivalent to three A-Levels. The course will prepare students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship, or related technical study through further or higher education.
Northumberland College boasts three different campuses, offering agricultural and land-based courses at its Kirkley Hall Campus, which is the College’s second largest campus
The 400-acre site has fantastic facilities – from dedicated agriculture and arboriculture workshops, a zoo with over 200 species of animal, an equestrian centre and vast amounts of land and gardens giving students valuable hands-on experience.
The campus provides an excellent learning environment for academic and vocational courses, helping ensure the quality of education is matched by the facilities available.
We are the largest further education provider in Northumberland with campuses throughout the county.
Our student transport scheme is available for eligible students to make getting to and from college as easy as possible.
Our extensive re-development programme will create outstanding new facilities.
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