Land Based Industries & Animal Management
The North East farming industry employs over 10,000 people. Our Kirkley Hall Campus is ideally situated to support employers from agriculture, horticulture and vets, to floristry and equine.
Northumberland College boasts extensive industry standard facilities including two working farms, an equine centre of excellence, an animal management centre, a teaching zoo as well as skilled teaching staff to support this diverse sector.
What do we offer?
Agriculture
Animal Management
Equine
Floristry
Horticulture
Veterinary Nursing
Our facilities
Zoological gardens
Our impressive Zoological Gardens contain over 200 species of animals including exotics, reptiles and birds. We are one of only a few colleges in the UK to gain full membership of the BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
Farms
Our impressive land-based facilities include a working farm on-site at Kirkley Hall. We also have tractor and arboriculture machinery workshops with a range of farming machinery and equipment.
Equine Centre
Our bespoke equine centre is a centre of excellence for equine education. It includes a large indoor arena with viewing gallery and a new education hub to support the delivery of equine management skills, such as farriery, dentistry and physiotherapy.
Dog grooming parlour and kennels
Our commercial dog parlour includes a grooming salon with a designated washing area, non-slip floors and extensive floor space. We also have safe and secure kennels for our four-legged friends.
Animal Management
Our animal management facilities include teaching spaces and animal enclosures. Two new learning spaces will be created, the zoo’s collection of animals will be expanded and a state-of-the-art zoo kitchen will be developed to support in delivering core competencies in animal husbandry.
Walled garden
The beautiful grounds of Kirkley Hall has a stunning 9-acre garden with terraces and a Victorian walled garden. The garden includes an extensive collection of unusual trees, shrubs, herbaceous and ornamental borders.
Work with us
College updates
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EPNE wins education award for industry collaboration
May 15, 2023
Education Partnership North East’s (EPNE) sector-led approach to supporting skills development in advanced manufacturing has been honoured
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Retrofit Training Academy gets the green light in the North East
April 19, 2023
Sunderland College becomes an official training partner of The Retrofit Academy CIC
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Apprenticeships: Unlocking talent and supporting the North East econom...
March 31, 2023
EPNE and its colleges ready to play a key role in the apprenticeship skills revolution.