Newton Rigg Ltd launch urgent action plan to rebuild land-based education in Cumbria with ‘new, independent, Cumbrian Newton Rigg College to open in 2024/25’
Newton Rigg Ltd is calling for support as the community organisation announces its urgent action plan to rebuild the future of land-based education at Newton Rigg, starting with training courses this year, the introduction of apprenticeships in 2022 and leading to the opening of a new, independent, Cumbrian Newton Rigg College in 2024/25.
“Rebuilding land-based education will not be an easy journey in light of the current challenges facing education, but we are making it possible. 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. Cumbria needs Newton Rigg College. At this critical moment in Cumbria’s history, and 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. We must pull together with great urgency to make this happen and we hope the whole community will get behind this urgent action plan to rebuild land-based education in Cumbria and bring back Newton Rigg College for good.” Said Professor Andy Cobb, NRL Chairman.
Newton Rigg Ltd is calling for countywide support so that its plans to rebuild land-based education at Newton Rigg can make pace at this pivotal moment for Cumbria.
Newton Rigg Ltd’s urgent action plan can be outlined in four steps:
1.STOP THE SALE
While we await the outcome of the Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry, Askham Bryan College are at the same time preparing to advertise Newton Rigg’s campus, land and farms for sale. Funded by supporters, Newton Rigg Ltd’s legal advisors have already played a critical role in challenging Askham Bryan College’s right to sell Newton Rigg, stripping these assets from Cumbria in order to save themselves from insolvency. Other legal questions relate to the acquisition of Newton Rigg by Askham Bryan in 2011, and Askham Bryan somehow releasing itself from an Asset Deed, of 2007, which was designed to protect Newton Rigg for Further Education.
2. PROTECT THE ASSETS
Newton Rigg Ltd have begun an initiative for Newton Rigg’s campus, land and farms, once saved, to be held in trust and therefore preserved for educational use, forever. They are working with legal experts on the most appropriate structure for this trust or foundation to ensure that the assets can never be threatened again.
“All local stakeholders and authorities must pull together to make this happen and we are calling on local and district councils, the LEP, Cumbria MPs, local businesses and other rural stakeholder organisations, such as the Farmers Network and the Foundation for Common Land to support this critical step for Cumbria. “ said Professor Cobb.
3. REBUILD LAND-BASED EDUCATION WITH TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS
A new initiative, ‘Newton Rigg Training’, being set up by Newton Rigg Ltd and advisors including Dr Jane Sullivan (Director of Newton Rigg College 2015-2018, scientist, outdoor educator and educational consultant specialising in alternative and further education) and Andrew Counsell (Director of Newton Rigg Ltd, former principal of Duchy College, Vice Chair of Landex, member IFA Route panel for land-based,) will offer training courses this September and apprenticeships starting next year.
Andrew Counsell, who now lives at Hawick, said, “As one of the top farming counties in the country, Cumbria needs to be proud of its own provision based at Newton Rigg, maintaining a long and outstanding history. We are creating a Group Training Organisation - a partnership between education and rural business and industry – that will provide education and training that will lead to employment. This is specifically aimed at local land-based businesses and the farming community. We will actively seek to become a main provider of apprenticeships for land-based and allied businesses in Cumbria, starting with agriculture, horticulture, agricultural engineering and forestry, expanding in time to other areas of land-based education. This will take up to a year and it is hoped that the positive support of the farming and rural communities will strengthen the process. We will also build upon this training offer with the development of the ‘Newton Rigg Rural Business School’, that will set the foundations for our future college by creating close and strong links between education and employers, rural businesses and farmers, and the rural community”
4. WELCOME NEW LEARNERS AGED 16 AND ABOVE TO A NEW, CUMBRIAN, INDEPENDENT NEWTON RIGG COLLEGE IN SEPTEMBER 2025
Once Newton Rigg Training has been trading as a training provider for a year, the organisation will apply to create an independent, innovative, “new model” Newton Rigg College, using technical innovation and partnerships.
Chairman, Professor Andrew Cobb, said, “With the continuing support of government agencies, incorporation of a new, Cumbrian and independent Newton Rigg College will be possible, providing short courses for skills development, apprenticeships and life-long learning programmes to Cumbria and beyond. We will deliver a range of Further Education programmes, leading in time to a Higher Education portfolio. Our aim is to welcome new learners aged 16+ to a new, Cumbrian and independent Newton Rigg College in September 2025. It will be a new dawn for this vital institution built on the strong foundations of expert-led training, robust community and industry links, and the very values upon which this unique land-based college was founded in 1896.”
Fundraising Call
Newton Rigg Limited is a community-led organisation involving leading experts in land-based and further education. The organisation has been relying on donations large and small from individuals and organisations including Westmorland Limited and Carrs Group, alongside the voluntary support of expert educators and advisors who have been working on this roadmap for the future with close links in the local land-based community.
Newton Rigg Ltd Director Chris Crewdson, former Managing Director of Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Ltd in Kendal, said,
“We are incredibly grateful to the supporters whose generous donations have funded our fight to save Newton Rigg so far. Our fundraising must now continue and intensify to support two key areas: Stepping up our legal support at this pivotal moment for Newton Rigg, and employing initial key staff who will launch our expert-led Newton Rigg Ltd training and apprenticeship programmes – the first step in rebuilding Newton Rigg College.”
“We are in the process of launching a crowdfunding campaign, but also urge any local businesses or individuals who value Newton Rigg College’s future to get in touch via our website and discuss how they can support our urgent action plan by becoming a sponsor, making a donation or getting involved.”