It’s a done deal for Higher Education students at Reaseheath

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The Faculty of Higher Education at Reaseheath College launch their Bursary schemes for HE Students from September 2016.

‘The Deal @ Reaseheath’ is a package of support designed to equip new students who have a means tested household income of less than £25,000, with the tools for success in their studies. The deal comprises of a £100 ‘starter pack’ that is tailored to each course area, and the ‘Reaseheath Bursary’ that provides a further £900 worth of support to those in need.

Also launching today is the ‘Aspire’ bursary, available to all level three students who progress through to a Higher Education programme* at Reaseheath. 

Sean Hargreaves, Academic Operations Officer within the Faculty says: “Reaseheath College is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it.  Our bursary schemes detailed above are designed to ensure that students can all access, thrive and succeed in Higher Education at Reaseheath College.”

For more information visit our Additional Financial Support page.

*Programme must be validated by Harper Adams University

Florists enjoy demonstration by leading expert

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Floristry students had the chance to learn from a leading expert when Diane Fair,  an international floral demonstrator for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), gave a demonstration in our historic Old Hall.

During her demonstration Diane, who is also a qualified floristry judge and an award winning competitor at local and national level, created six contemporary and traditional floral designs. She also gave our students tips for their future careers. Students on both full time and leisure courses attended the event, gaining first hand knowledge of how a professional demonstration is organised.

This was the first time Diane had used a college as a venue, but not the first time she had visited our campus. She launched her floristry career  as a competitor at a Young Farmers Rally at Reaseheath!

Said Diane: “It was lovely to be joined by so many keen young people and a great chance to tell them about the many opportunities in the industry.”

Equine students provide arena party at HOYS

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Our equine students were commended for the professional way they provided the arena party for one of the world’s premier events, the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Students and staff worked alongside international course designers Bob Ellis and Kelvin Bywater, learning new skills and making new contacts. Competitors included elite showjumpers John, Robert and Ellen Whitaker and Ben Mayer.

Bob Ellis commented: “Yet again, Reaseheath’s arena party was exceptional and helped us to put on a superb show at this world class venue.”
Reaseheath’s arena parties have built up such a reputation that earlier this year we were approached to provide an arena team for Bolesworth International and for the British Show Jumping National Championships at Stoneleigh Park – and we’ve already been booked for Bolesworth and HOYS in 2016.

A team of Levels 1, 2 and 3 students also stewarded the dressage and showjumping arenas at Kelsall Hill last week for British Eventing.

Watch our equine team and hear Bob Ellis’ comments as our students prepare the course for Bolesworth International.

 

Reaseheath College degrees are a good investment, graduates told

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Although studying for a degree could be costly, it would prove to be a phenomenal  investment in later life, new graduates from Reaseheath College heard last week.

Speaking at the Nantwich college’s Faculty of Higher Education (HE) graduation ceremony, Principal Meredydd David said that an independent analysis had shown that spending £40,000 on course fees and living expenses would bring in nearly a third of a million pounds during a career.

Because Reaseheath degrees were specialist technical qualifications combining knowledge, practical skills and industry experience, graduates were ahead in the jobs market and 90% who completed their qualification last year were in related employment within six months.

Equine Science graduate Hannah Dickson, Outstanding Achievement in undergraduate research in Equine Science Award winner with Dame Sarah Storey DBE

Equine Science graduate Hannah Dickson, Outstanding Achievement in undergraduate research in Equine Science Award winner with Dame Sarah Storey DBE

The HE faculty had grown rapidly due to demand and would shortly have 1,000 undergraduates studying for degrees such as  equine, agricultural and animal science, landscape design, food technology, engineering and countryside, adventure sports and rural events management. As well as those following the conventional ‘A’ level route, many students were mature learners who wanted higher qualifications to change career or help with career progression.

The Quality Assurance Agency, which carries out an Ofsted style assessment of HE courses, judged Reaseheath’s programmes as ‘outstanding’ and a national student survey showed a level of satisfaction which was well above average.

Meredydd also outlined the £50 million investment which had resulted in the campus having some of the best specialist facilities and resources in the country. These included a licensed teaching zoo, an indoor equestrian centre and an industry standard food production centre.

A further £30 million of new build was underway, with an £8 million National Centre for Food Futures and the Environment shortly to be opened. Further halls of residence, science laboratories and an extension to the HE Centre would start next May and a £7 million Advanced Agricultural Engineering Academy was currently being designed.

The graduation ceremony, held in St Mary’s Church, Nantwich, celebrated the success of 116 graduates who had successfully completed degrees validated by Harper Adams University. Over 20% achieved a first class honours or distinction, and three graduates were singled out for special recognition.

They were Hannah Dickson (Outstanding Achievement in Undergraduate Research in Equine Science), Emily Westwood (Academic Excellence Award in Equine Science) and Anife Turchin (Academic Excellence Award in Horticultural Science).

Animal management undergraduates on University of Chester programmes graduate at Chester Cathedral in November.

Guest of honour was Dame Sarah Storey, Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian, who has won 11 gold, eight silver and three bronze medals in six Paralympic games in the sports of cycling and swimming and has also brought home GB medals in World Olympics.

You can see more photographs and download the full 2015 Conferment of Awards list here.

Floristry demonstration by leading expert

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Local floristry enthusiasts will get the chance to learn from a leading expert when Diane Fair gives a demonstration at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, on Tuesday October 13.

Diane, an international floral demonstrator for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), will create six floral designs during a two hour afternoon demonstration in the college’s historic Old Hall.

In addition to her demonstrator role, Diane is a qualified floristry judge and a keen award winning competitor at local and national level. All of her designs will be raffled off to members of the audience at the end of the demonstration.

The event runs from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets cost £4 and cover entry, refreshments and a raffle ticket. Space is limited, so book your ticket now through Reaseheath’s online store to avoid disappointment!

Buy Your Tickets

Photo caption: International floral demonstrator Diane Fair

Reaseheath welcomes new Chair of Governors

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Reaseheath College in Nantwich has begun its new academic year by welcoming Richard Ratcliffe as its new Chair of Governors.

Well known in agricultural and business circles and a long time supporter of Reaseheath, Richard and his wife, Gill, farm in Nantwich and also operate a number of separate farming businesses across the UK.

New chair of governors Richard RatcliffeRichard, who served as Vice Chairman of governors last year, takes over the chairmanship from Emily Thrane. Now retired, Emily had previously enjoyed a career in educational administration with local authorities and with the Further Education Funding and Learning and Skills Councils.

Richard said: “It is a great honour to take over as Chair and a pleasure to follow Emily, who has set some very high standards for me to follow and develop.

“The Governors are part of the Reaseheath team which helps to keep the college at the forefront of higher and further education, both regionally and further afield. This is an important and exciting time for this wonderful college and I am looking forward to helping to shape its future and to continue to see first hand the positive effect it has on so many young people.”

Reaseheath College is one of the UK’s premier, specialist land-based colleges with some of the best training facilities in the country including a commercial farm, zoo, equestrian centre and food processing hub. Over £45 million has been invested over the past six years into specialist educational facilities and halls of residence on campus and a further £30 million building programme is underway.

Due to open this Autumn is a National Centre for Food Futures and the Environment   – a forward thinking bio-tech facility to train students and those already working in the industry to meet the challenge of world population growth and climate change. An advanced agri-technology centre, which will deliver training in precision farming including crop and animal production systems, is planned for 2016.

The college has nearly 7,000 students from all over the country who include undergraduates and apprentices.

Reaseheath’s governing board is made up of members of the public, staff and students who offer a wide range of experience and skills. The governors support and challenge the college leaders and make sure that college stays true to its mission, vision and values.

The college welcomes hearing from anyone interested in becoming a governor, particularly if they have experience in the land based industries or in further education. The role is voluntary but expenses are paid and there are opportunities for personal training and development.

For further details contact Jackie Schillinger, Clerk to the Governors, at jackies@reaseheath.ac.uk

GCSE Results 2015

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Good luck to everyone receiving their GCSE results today!

Don’t worry about letting us know your results, we will receive them automatically from the Learner Records Service on your behalf. If we need to see copies of your results before or on your start date we will let you know.

If you would like to speak to someone about your results please call us on 01270 613242 or drop in to our main reception Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

We look forward to welcoming you to Reaseheath in September. For information on your first day please visit the 2015 Further Education Joining Information pages on our website.

*Please note: This excludes Bank Holidays Mondays and  Tuesday 1st September is a full staff development day. We will endeavour to assist with your enquiry as soon possible.

From horticulture student to world class landscaper

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Talented Reaseheath College trained landscape gardener Matt Beesley has proved he is among the world’s best by taking silver at the WorldSkills finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Matt, from Winsford, and fellow team member Jonathan Gill, from Northern Ireland, achieved Britain’s first ever medal in landscape gardening at the global, Olympics style final. The pair had to prove their skills and stamina in hard landscaping, plant knowledge and management by building a garden from scratch in four days under the gaze of 259,000 spectators.

WorldSkills runs the competition bi-annually for students aged 23 and under to showcase the skills and value of young professionals in industries ranging from construction, engineering technology and transportation to IT, communications and social and personal services. The GB team recorded its best ever performance with 33 medals.

WorldSkills Sao Paulo closing Ceremony Team UK Matt Beesley with Rianne Chester

WorldSkills Sao Paulo closing Ceremony Team UK Matt Beesley with Rianne Chester

Matt, 21, completed his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture at Reaseheath College in Nantwich in 2012. He now runs his own successful business, Beesley’s Landscapes in Winsford, and employs two apprentices. He first competed in the British selection rounds for WorldSkills while a Reaseheath student and has continued to train intensively as a potential squad member.

The former Hartford High School pupil said: “Winning silver in the world finals has been the best experience of my life. The whole WorldSkills programme has been awesome. I have learned so much and gained such a lot of confidence. I’d particularly like to thank my hard landscape instructor at Reaseheath, Jason Hinks, and my parents for their support.”

Said Jason: “I’m really proud of Matt and how he’s developed as a professional landscaper through WorldSkills. This programme is all about benefiting the students through training and helping them to realise their potential.”

Header caption: Matt Beesley (right) and Jonathan Gill celebrate at the WorldSkills finals in Sao Paulo

Student satisfaction soars at Reaseheath College

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Higher Education student satisfaction has risen for the second consecutive year at Reaseheath College according to the National Student Survey (NSS).

Overall student satisfaction has risen by 12% on the previous year with the results showing an 86% satisfaction score for teaching and 83% for the academic support provided to its Higher Education students.

Dean of Higher Education, Rachel Ellis-Jones, commented: “I am absolutely delighted at yet another increase in our student satisfaction. This is evidence of our staff’s commitment to ensuring our students have a successful academic outcome, but also really enjoy their time at Reaseheath College.”

Commenting on the results of the NSS, Professor Madeleine Atkins, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said: “The survey provides detailed and robust data which is used extensively by universities and colleges to improve the quality of their teaching and learning. It is also valuable in supporting prospective students and their parents and advisors in helping choose which higher education institution to select.”

With two commendations from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for student learning opportunities and enhancement of student learning opportunities, there has never been a better time to study at Reaseheath College.

The Reaseheath equine experience

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Ever wondered what it’s like to be an equine student at Reaseheath College?…

If you have any questions about life as an equine student, the industry, university or on-job training, we’re here to help. Join our live Horse and Hound web chat today 12pm-2pm. Reaseheath’s senior equine science lecturer Kate Douglas-Dala and Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care course manager, Jess Denham, will be ready to answer any questions you may have. 

Find out more about our equine courses at: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/equine