A final decision about the future of Newton Rigg has been announced.
The final element of the Further Education Commissioner-led Newton Rigg Strategic Review has concluded that it had been unable to identify an organisation to continue delivering sustainable land based education at the campus, and that Askham Bryan College should continue with finding a buyer for the site.
The review identified that most provision currently delivered at Newton Rigg can be provided in Cumbria by other post-16 FE providers. In addition, other arrangements to ensure the continuity of land based provision in the area are being developed.
The review steering groupâs recommendation was made during its final meeting on Friday.
By Luke Jarmyn Audience and Content Editor (Business)
Educational provision will end at Newton Rigg College FORMER Workington MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Baroness Sue Hayman is calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into the controversial closure of the county’s only agricultural college. The peer, a member of the Defra Select Committee, is lobbying for an inquiry in a bid to reverse the closure decision of Newton Rigg this summer. She is joined by former Workington MP, Dale Campbell-Savours and Lord David Clark of Windermere, who in a statement said they are raising questions into the finances of the doomed college.
Learning is in our nature - Askham Bryan College creates opportunity during a time of change
Askham Bryan College educates and trains the next generation of students for work in the land-based sector. They include future farmers, horticulturists, equestrians, public service officers, sports specialists and experts in animal science. Amidst lockdown restrictions, the staff and senior leadership team at Askham Bryan College see this as an opportunity to refine online teaching methods and curriculum delivery. Dr Tim Whitaker, CEO and Principal at Askham Bryan College says, “Many of our students serve as key workers so the lockdown’s have presented many challenges for them around juggling coursework with essential work. They help communities while meeting the commitments of their studies, and we look for the opportunities that offer them a chance to easily manage both”.