Katie excels during latest South African adventure

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BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology graduate Katie Adams is set on a highly specialised career helping to conserve endangered species.

Widely travelled and with experience of working in animal rehabilitation in South Africa and in the UK, she feels that achieving her Reaseheath degree has very much helped to crystallize her career options.

Katie Adams in Africa duing her FGASA training

Katie Adams in Africa during her FGASA training

Hoping to specialise in the conservation of big cats and habitats, Katie’s returned to South Africa in January on 6 month training scheme with the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) to gain her level 1 field guide licence. So far she’s achieved 90% and above in a range of modules in her first semester including an introduction to guiding, mammals , reptiles, ecology, taxonomy, tree identification and ethology.

Once she’s completed her initial training Katie will go on to complete a 6 month work placement. From there she intends to combine working as a field guide with conservation research, hoping to concentrate on  the Limpopo region of South Africa.

Although she has always wanted to work with animals, Katie, 28, admits she had trouble choosing the right career in a very diverse industry. She completed an apprenticeship in small animal care, but realised that it wasn’t the right path for her.

As she had been out of full time education for a while, Katie prepared for her degree by completing a Access to HE course in biological sciences in her home town of Hull. She proceeded to combine studying for her degree with a job as a supermarket deputy manager.

She says: “I always knew I wanted to work with endangered animals, however in such a competitive industry it can be hard to know how to pursue your dream.

“I left school at 17 and never thought I would go back into education. But with the support of lecturers at Reaseheath, I’ve gained the personal confidence and professional encouragement to develop skills I didn’t know I had. Those skills I will no doubt benefit from for many years to come.

“Despite the hard work needed to complete my degree, it was some of the best years of my life.”

Reaseheath students inspired by ‘Horses Inside Out’

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Reaseheath College’s equine students had the unique opportunity to work with inspirational equine anatomist Gillian Higgins when the British Horse Society (BHS) Cheshire branch presented a ‘Horses Inside Out’ demonstration at Reaseheath’s Equestrian Centre.

Gillian, who is a BHS senior coach, equine anatomist and sports and remedial therapist, founded ‘Horses Inside Out’ as an education resource for the equine industry and her demonstrations and conferences attract an international following.

The event, organised by BHS Cheshire officers and volunteers, covered equine anatomy and biomechanics and demonstrated the muscular skeletal system of horses in action. It featured many exercises, ridden and on the lunge, which could be used at home to improve the posture of both horses and riders.

The sell-out audience included BHS instructors, competitive riders, sports therapists, equine students and leisure riders. Reaseheath degree and Level 3 Diploma students had the chance to prepare the two equine ‘stars’ of the evening by painting the structure of their skeleton and muscles onto their bodies under the supervision of Gillian Higgins. The students also provided the arena party.
The horses were Roger, an 11 year-old Irish Sports Horse who events with owner Kelly Cain, and Ralph, an 8 year-old Connemara belonging to Reaseheath Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management undergraduate Alice Banner.

Gillian said: “The aim of these demonstrations is to turn what could be a dull and difficult subject into something very relevant and also show how the posture of the rider affects horse performance and potentially horse welfare. Hopefully it will inspire Reaseheath’s students and those in the audience to learn more about anatomy and biomechanics.”

Reaseheath College is a BHS approved training centre and encourages students to gain BHS qualifications as part of their portfolio.

Hannah Carrick, Regional Development Officer for the North West said: “The demonstration was a tremendous success and we received many compliments from spectators. I would like to thank our volunteers and Reaseheath College for working together to put on such a fascinating and educational event.”

 

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.”

Jack awarded scholarship to explore fish behaviour

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BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology graduate Jack Wootton spent the summer studying how fish respond to reflective stimuli after being awarded a research scholarship by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW).

Jack, who is passionate about fish welfare and is particularly keen to improve the living conditions of fish in aquaria, applied for his scholarship while studying for his degree. He spent three months working with guppies at the University of Chester, recording whether and how the fishes’ behaviour was affected by the reflective surface created by standard glass.

His research, which has not been carried out to this depth before, is aimed at improving the welfare of fish commonly kept as pets.  He is currently working on a research paper which he hopes will be published in 2016 and is keen to continue his research with different species of fish.

Jack completed a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management with us in 2010 and then spent two years working in Borneo and in the UK industry. Returning to education, he completed a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare followed by a one year top-up to a BSc. During his studies, he gained relevant work experience in the fish department of our Animal Centre.

Jack said:  “I thoroughly enjoyed working with UFAW and hope that my research will help to improve the welfare of fish in aquaria. Although my true passion is for conservation I found the scientific study incredibly interesting and I would be keen to continue for a Masters degree or PhD. Being a Reaseheath student definitely played an integral part in building my passion for aquatic life and furthering my career”.

Helen Kay, Higher Education Support Team (HEST) Leader, said: “Jack is definitely one to watch for the future. As well as working to the highest level for his degrees, he always found time to help, educate and inspire less experienced students. The HEST team is convinced he will go to the very top in his career.”

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.