Bishop Burton College is afurther educationland-based college founded inBishop Burton,East Riding of Yorkshire, England.[1]
The college was established in 1954 as theBishop Burton Farm Institute[2][3] and was one of the first in the country to be awardedBeacon Status in May 1999 for 'the exceptional quality of its agricultural courses as well as outstanding student support'.[4] The college was the first land-based college in the United Kingdom to achieve both parts of theLearning and Skill Council'sTraining Quality Standard.[5] In October 2002, theUniversity of Hull agreed to validate the land-based undergraduate courses at the college.[6] A February 2017Ofsted inspection report rated the college's overall effectiveness as 'good'.[7] In June 2017, the college was ranked bronze by theTeaching Excellence Framework according to its standard of undergraduate teaching.[8]
In July 2005, the college unveiled plans for a £17 million redevelopment, which would result in new facilities for animals, learning, sports and student accommodation.[2] The main site in Bishop Burton has a 360-hectare mixed farm which includes a high-welfare pig unit and sheep facilities. There is residential accommodation for 300 students, two hostels, a gym, sports hall and numerous catering establishments.[5]
In August 2012, the college took over from theUniversity of Lincoln the delivery of further education courses being run atRiseholme College. The college was selected following a competitive tendering process led by theSkills Funding Agency (SFA) and theYoung People's Learning Agency (YPLA).[9] In October 2013, the college proposed building a new £13.5 million site on theLincolnshire Showground, just outsideLincoln, as the lease in the presentRiseholme location was due to expire in 2020. It was envisaged that a phased move could see courses start in September 2015.[10] In January 2014, the college was granted permission by theWest Lindsey District Council to move to the grounds.[11] In October 2014, construction began after £6 million had been secured from theSkills Funding Agency Capital Investment Fund. The new campus was to have science laboratories, agriculture, engineering and arboriculture workshops, an animal management facility, a farm and a halls of residence for students. It was expected that a significant portion of the college's intake was to be attracted fromSouth Yorkshire.[12]
In March 2008, the college was listed as being an equestrian training venue for the2008 Summer Olympics.[13] In October 2008, a new £3 million equestrian centre was opened by thePrincess Royal. The centre formed part of the college's £25 million campus and was designed to hold competitions and events, as well as lectures. The indoor arena was to be used as a training base for the2012 Summer Olympics and eventually served as a training centre for the Great Britainpentathlon team.[14] In June 2011, OlympianJonathan Edwards visited the college in his role as part of the organising committee for the London games[15] and in October 2012 dressage riderRichard Davidson taught amaster class at the college.[16] In July 2014, the college was the only institution to qualify for both leagues of the finals of theBritish Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) equestrian competition.[17]
The college offers a range of land-based and non-land-based further education and higher education courses, such asBTECs andhonours degrees. The college also offers apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities.[5]
Each year the college hosts an annual stockmanship competition.[18]
53°50′54″N0°30′15″W / 53.84826°N 0.50405°W /53.84826; -0.50405
