A significant investment in state-of-the-art equine facilities at Northumberland College will further position the specialist further education college as a centre of excellence for equine education.
The bespoke equine centre at its Kirkley Hall campus in Ponteland, which is currently under construction, will house stable block accommodation, tack room, international-standard 38 by 48 metre square indoor arena with viewing gallery, schooling field and paddock.
A newly constructed education hub will also accommodate the delivery of equine management skills such as farriery, dentistry and physiotherapy. In addition, there will be extensive renovations to its existing equine facilities.
The improvements will not only enable the college to become a centre of excellence for equine education but the facilities will provide significant benefits to the local community with the availability of a livery service, facilities hire to local riding clubs and support to local horse owners in the management of their own animals.
Lee Lister, Associate Principal Land-based, was appointed in August 2019. Lee is a former Associate Principal of Grimsby Institute and brings a wealth of senior management and land-based experience following a 23-year career in education. He said: “The exciting developments in equine will significantly improve the student experience and allow us to deliver outstanding education across a whole range of further and higher education programmes.
“The industry standard facilities we are creating will also enable us to collaborate with industry partners and the local community, as well as a wide range of equine groups, to improve access to equine education and training across the county of Northumberland.
“The investment programme at Kirkley Hall will support our students to develop the skills that they require for a successful career in the land-based disciplines that they are studying.”
The investment is part of a multi-million-pound redevelopment programme that was announced last year. The first phase of the redevelopment programme, which is being project managed by Hollis, is already underway and the new facilities are transforming the college into a modern, careers and skills-focused centre for school leavers and adults in Northumberland.
Cllr Wayne Daley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Learning and Skills at Northumberland County Council, said: “It is great to see further new facilities and learning opportunities being developed at Kirkley Hall. Equestrian activities are very important to the rural economy in Northumberland and to have this specialist centre established here in the heart of the county will be a great new addition.”
Northumberland College merged with Sunderland College in March 2019 to create Education Partnership North East, one of the largest college groups in the UK. The multi-million-pound investment programme at Northumberland College is part of the group’s bold new strategic plan and will ensure that Northumberland College is one the region’s leading education and training providers.
For more information about Northumberland College and its extensive range of courses, visit the next open event or call 01670 841 200.
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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