NEWS

Exciting Plans for Newton Rigg Announced

The University of Cumbria and Askham Bryan College have now reached final agreement for the transfer of further education courses at the Newton Rigg campus from 31 July 2011.

Discussions have been very productive and now provide an opportunity to move forward to the next stage of the transfer process. Plans by the York based college include a £2.4m investment into the site focussing on the farm,  revitalisation of degree and diploma courses particularly in agriculture and countryside management and the establishment of a joint rural research institute.

Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Upton said:

"Courses at the Newton Rigg campus continue to generate strong interest from potential students.  The traditional land-based subjects on offer there remain extremely popular and we have some incredibly dedicated and well qualified people who continue to respond to the needs of young people in the area and these will be run by Askham Bryan College.  Both the university and Askham Bryan College are committed to ensuring the continuation of these courses to the benefit of current and future students, the local community and the region as a whole.   

We will continue in partnership with the college keeping our degree programmes on the site.  This will continue for the next three years and any subsequent changes will be phased in over time.  All of the university's undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the areas of forestry, conservation, policing, applied science and outdoor studies will continue as these courses have national significance for us, are highly valued for their research and are seen as having a long term future within the institution."

Liz Philip, Askham Bryan Principal adds:

"We have been successfully providing education for the farmers and landowners of tomorrow from our York campus for more than six decades and are very much looking forward to ensuring that Newton Rigg becomes a centre of agricultural excellence. Rumours that we planned to asset strip the site are totally wrong - on the contrary we plan a £2.4m investment into the site and particularly the farm, which we will re-stock with dairy cattle and upgrade with new facilities. Our commitment to providing the Cumbrian community with a first class agricultural college is total. My vision is that together Askham Bryan and Newton Rigg will be a dynamic and innovative force driving agricultural excellence in the north of England.”

Reflecting its courses at York, Askham Bryan plans to run degree and diploma courses for full and part time students ranging across pure agriculture, sustainable land management through to  environmental technology and also equine. In addition there will be courses for apprentices and a rural research institute will be established, run in conjunction with the university. It is also anticipated that there will be a range of general courses, for example child care and sport. The name “Newton Rigg College” will remain unchanged.

Ensuring a smooth transition for staff and students is of paramount importance to both the university and Askham Bryan College.  Transition team arrangements to ensure that the processes are well managed will be put in place as we move into the next stage of the process. The university will now start contractual negotiations with Askham Bryan College with a view to arranging TUPE transfer of staff on 31 July 2011.