Fresh plan launched to rebuild ‘new-model’ Newton Rigg College

An eleventh-hour plan to save Cumbria’s Newton Rigg College from closure by opening an independent college on the site has been launched.

Community organisation Newton Rigg Ltd (NRL) is calling for support for its “urgent action plan” to rebuild the future of land-based education in the county.

NRL’s bid to rebuild Newton Rigg would start with land-based training courses this year, followed by the introduction of apprenticeships in 2022, leading to the opening of a new, independent, Cumbrian Newton Rigg College in 2024-25. 

See also: Revised bids to save Newton Rigg College unsuccessful

In February, a strategic review led by the further education commissioner announced that two multimillion-pound bids to secure the future of the Penrith-based agricultural college had been unsuccessful. Unless a buyer can be found, owner Askham Bryan College has stated its intention to close the college from July.

Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, and NFU president Minette Batters, have both voiced their strong opposition to the closure of the 125-year-old college, which would result in more than 100 job losses and leave almost 900 learners without a place of study.

Closure ‘not an option’

Andy Cobb, NRL chairman, said any compromise of land-based education in Cumbria was not an option.

“Rebuilding land-based education will not be an easy journey in light of the current challenges facing education, but we are making it possible,” said Prof Cobb.

“Our message remains clear: Any compromise of land-based education in Cumbria is not an option. The alternative provision currently being offered to some students on some courses is too limited to sustain our communities and industries.”

Prof Cobb stressed that Cumbria needs Newton Rigg College, the last remaining specialist agricultural college in the county. “At this critical moment in Cumbria’s history, and with the changes to rural practice following Brexit, our community has a unique opportunity to bring Newton Rigg back to Cumbria and rebuild this vital institution for generations to come,” he said.

Local support

The plan is led by influential members of the Cumbrian community, along with experts in land-based education, including Andrew Counsel (former principal of Duchy College, Cornwall, vice-chairman of Landex) and Dr Jane Sullivan (director of Newton Rigg College from 2015-18 and educational consultant specialising in alternative and further education).n).

NRL has also been supported by major local businesses including Westmorland and Carrs Group, as well as land-based organisations. 

A crowd-funding campaign will be set up soon, but any local businesses or individuals that value Newton Rigg College’s future are urged to visit the NRL website or email contact@futureofnewtonrigg.co.uk to discuss how they can support the action plan.