Extra role for Bishop Burton (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Extra role for Bishop Burton

1:09pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Farming By Mike Bridgen

A YORKSHIRE agricultural college has taken over the delivery of further education courses at Riseholme College, near Lincoln.

Bishop Burton College formally took over the FE courses from the University of Lincoln, which did not wish to renew its contract, on August 1.

It was selected as the preferred provider following a competitive tendering process led by the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People’s Learning Agency.

Jeanette Dawson, Bishop Burton principal and chief executive, said her number one priority was getting ready for the new intake of students at Riseholme.

She said: “We want to deliver a seamless transfer and concentrate on getting the courses right.

“I am very pleased to say that a lot of Riseholme staff have already made the effort to come over to Bishop Burton and have a look around and make contact with their new colleagues.

“The positive impact on the staff at Riseholme of having land-based colleagues who understand further education, to bounce ideas about with, cannot be over-estimated.”

Mrs Dawson said she had taken “great heart and encouragement” from the high esteem the local community and employers hold Riseholme in.

She added: “There are some very exciting times ahead.

“When we look back in years to come, this take-over will, I’m sure, be seen as hugely important in the history of both colleges.”

The University of Lincoln will continue to run higher education degree programmes at its Riseholme Campus, working closely alongside Bishop Burton.

Existing FE teaching staff at Riseholme and students continuing into the 2012-13 academic year have now transferred to Bishop Burton College.

The FE portfolio includes diplomas and work-based apprenticeships in subjects such as agriculture animal management, horticulture and land-based engineering.