Equine graduate excels in USA horse research

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Reaseheath equine science graduate Charlotte Woolley excelled during her internship at the world’s leading equine breeding and research centre.

BSc (Hons) Equine Science, Charlotte Woolley on her graduation day in 2014

Reaseheath equine science graduate Charlotte Woolley on her graduation day in 2014

Charlotte, 21, who graduated with First Class Honours in September 2014, spent a summer working and studying at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center, part of the Virginia Tech State University, USA. The university specialises in breeding and producing top quality sports horses. She trained in veterinary techniques and assisted with research into nutrition, reproduction and parasitology. She also helped to prepare youngstock for the showring and ran educational outreach workshops with children. Keeping a track of her adventures whilst working out in Virginia, Charlotte wrote a blog, My Virginian Ventures, to document her research and experiences.

Aiming for a career as a veterinary research scientist, Charlotte went on to complete her Masters in Animal Biosciences at the University of Edinburgh and has recently been awarded a funded PhD with The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh to research canine epidemiology and genetics.

She says: “The internship was a fantastic experience – truly life changing.  I’ve built on both my academic and practical skills and broadened my horizons in terms of my current knowledge of the equine industry.”

Originally from Buxton, Charlotte completed  A levels at Leek College before embarking on her degree. She has ridden from a young age and has successfully competed at showjumping and showing competitions across the UK. She currently lives in Nantwich.

Charlotte adds: “I really enjoyed studying for my degree at Reaseheath. There’s a great atmosphere and you get lots of individual support from your lecturers.”

Header picture caption: First class BSc (Hons) Equine Science graduates Charlotte Woolley and Amelia Kenyon

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.”

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.”

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.

From horticulture student to world class landscaper

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Talented Reaseheath College trained landscape gardener Matt Beesley has proved he is among the world’s best by taking silver at the WorldSkills finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Matt, from Winsford, and fellow team member Jonathan Gill, from Northern Ireland, achieved Britain’s first ever medal in landscape gardening at the global, Olympics style final. The pair had to prove their skills and stamina in hard landscaping, plant knowledge and management by building a garden from scratch in four days under the gaze of 259,000 spectators.

WorldSkills runs the competition bi-annually for students aged 23 and under to showcase the skills and value of young professionals in industries ranging from construction, engineering technology and transportation to IT, communications and social and personal services. The GB team recorded its best ever performance with 33 medals.

WorldSkills Sao Paulo closing Ceremony Team UK Matt Beesley with Rianne Chester

WorldSkills Sao Paulo closing Ceremony Team UK Matt Beesley with Rianne Chester

Matt, 21, completed his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture at Reaseheath College in Nantwich in 2012. He now runs his own successful business, Beesley’s Landscapes in Winsford, and employs two apprentices. He first competed in the British selection rounds for WorldSkills while a Reaseheath student and has continued to train intensively as a potential squad member.

The former Hartford High School pupil said: “Winning silver in the world finals has been the best experience of my life. The whole WorldSkills programme has been awesome. I have learned so much and gained such a lot of confidence. I’d particularly like to thank my hard landscape instructor at Reaseheath, Jason Hinks, and my parents for their support.”

Said Jason: “I’m really proud of Matt and how he’s developed as a professional landscaper through WorldSkills. This programme is all about benefiting the students through training and helping them to realise their potential.”

Header caption: Matt Beesley (right) and Jonathan Gill celebrate at the WorldSkills finals in Sao Paulo

Triple gold for Reaseheath at Nantwich International Cheese Show

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Reaseheath College trained dairy technologists struck gold three times at the record breaking Nantwich International Cheese Show.

Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David presents the Student Cheesemaker award to Sarah Hinchliffe and Sam Clarke

Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David presents the Student Cheesemaker award to Sarah Hinchliffe and Sam Clarke

The students, who are studying on the Nantwich college’s unique Eden programme, took gold awards in the Specialist Cheesemakers section in classes for cheddar and crumbly territorial cheeses and also won the highly competitive Student Cheesemaker class.

They also took a further silver and two highly commended awards in the Student Cheesemaker class and a highly commended in the open cheddar cheese class.

The Eden programme is a unique, ground breaking, education initiative driven and supported by leading dairy companies who recognise the importance of investing in talented employees.

The technicians attend Reaseheath on a block release basis to study for an internationally recognised Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology which includes practical training in the college’s industry standard dairy processing halls. They spend the rest of their time extending their experience in the workplace.

Matt Salt assists Peter Sidwell on the Cathedral City stand

Matt Salt assists Peter Sidwell on the Cathedral City stand

Now in its seventh year and delivered exclusively by Reaseheath, the three year course covers relevant topics ranging from dairy chemistry and microbiology to cheesemaking.

The cheese show this year attracted record entries and the students’ entries were up against world class competition. The Student Cheesemaker class was newly sponsored by Reaseheath College.

Said course manager Debbie Heritage-Brill: “We were delighted at the success of our students, particularly against such strong competition from within the industry.”

Apart from competing, the Eden students demonstrated the process of cheesemaking at the show, giving families the chance to see how the nation’s favourite food is produced.

Celebrity chef James Martin with commis chefs Elysha Emberson and Kieran McLean

Celebrity chef James Martin with commis chefs Elysha Emberson and Kieran McLean

Three students who have just completed their Level 3 Diploma in Bakery and Patisserie supported celebrity chefs James Martin, Will Holland, Jonathan Harrison, Sean Wilson and Peter Sidwell as they demonstrated how to cook tasty dishes in the international cheese marquee.

Elysha Emberson, Kieran McLean and Matt Salt worked as commis chefs, preparing ingredients and cooking equipment for the chefs as they cooked in front of an appreciative audience.

Elysha said: “It was very interesting working with the chefs and being part of the action. It was a really good experience and a great thing to put on your CV.”

 

Reaseheath celebrates success at the Nantwich Show

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Reaseheath College’s visitor friendly exhibition was judged runner-up best professional trade stand at the Nantwich Show after impressing judges with the enthusiasm of its staff, the diversity of its activities and the effort it made to involve show visitors.

The Nantwich college’s stand encouraged families to take part in a diverse range of activities including riding a mechanical horse, operating a digger and meeting a calf.

Judge David Blackhurst, who presented the award, said: “Reaseheath’s stand was the very diverse. Its mix of livestock, machinery and horticulture really caught the eye.

Winning line-up in the cattle marquee: Lecturer Julie Baskerville and agriculture students Jess Pearce, Lydia Diamond, Joe Riley and Siobhan Rutter with Reaseheath Holstein heifers.

Winning line-up in the cattle marquee: Lecturer Julie Baskerville and agriculture students Jess Pearce, Lydia Diamond, Joe Riley and Siobhan Rutter with Reaseheath Holstein heifers.

“But more importantly it was very interactive and offered visitors a lot to do. There was a good range of activities, supported by attentive staff. The Nantwich Show is all about families and it was obvious that visitors were spending a lot of time on the Reaseheath stand.”

Deputy Marketing Manager Faye Thomson-Butt said: “We were delighted at the success of our stand. It’s always a great pleasure to support Nantwich Show, as it contributes so much to the local and farming community.”

Agriculture students and staff, who prepared and showed four heifers from the Reaseheath Holstein herd, were also celebrating after taking first prize for the best cattle line in the cattle marquee along with a 2nd, two 4ths a 6th and 7th in the handler and breed classes.

Header image caption: Judge David Blackhurst and Show Vice President Jerry Purcell hand over the trade stand award to Faye Thomson-Butt and Marketing Administrator Sophie Bell

Reaseheath conservationists inspired by gorilla expert

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Influential conservationist Ian Redmond OBE gave an inspirational talk to student members of Reaseheath College’s Conservation Society and members of the public when he visited the College last week.

Best known for his work studying the mountain gorillas of Rwanda with zoologist Dian Fossey, who inspired the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, Ian has been involved with more than 50 television wildlife documentaries and is founder and chairman of Ape Alliance, an international coalition of organisations and individuals working for the conservation and welfare of apes.

The tropical field biologist, whose career spans more than 30 years, is also renowned for his research studies of elephants in both Africa and Asia. During his lecture, Ian described his experiences with apes and other species and also discussed his concerns about climate change.

He also spent time answering questions from students studying for wildlife related degrees and diplomas, many of whom have already or will go on to complete field research with exotic species.

Ian Redmond meets Reaseheath’s ring tailed lemurs with Zoo Management and Wildlife Conservation undergraduates Ashleigh Ball, Daniel Collin, Harley Merrigan, Charlotte Daniels, Jack Wootton and James Wylor-Owen and Zoo Keeper Alan Woodward

Ian Redmond meets Reaseheath’s ring tailed lemurs with Zoo Management and Wildlife Conservation undergraduates Ashleigh Ball, Daniel Collin, Harley Merrigan, Charlotte Daniels, Jack Wootton and James Wylor-Owen and Zoo Keeper Alan Woodward

BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology undergraduate James Wylor-Owen, who is looking for a research placement abroad, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to meet a conservation role model with an incredible background in in-situ research, particularly in human and wildlife conflict.”

Ian, who toured Reaseheath’s zoo before his talk, commented: “This has been a revelation to me. Reaseheath has magnificent facilities and not only provides an excellent home for a range of species found in national zoo collections, but is using them to train the biologists of the future.

“I have been impressed with the enthusiasm and evident knowledge of the students and their wish to make a difference to habitat and species conservation.”

The Reaseheath Conservation Society has over 100 student members who are passionate about conserving animals and the natural world. The group enjoy educational visits and lectures, work with communities on environmental projects and hold public events to raise funds for animal charities. Ian Redmond’s talk raised nearly £800 for Gorilla Conservation.

Like Reaseheath Conservation Society on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to find out more about the work of society.

Jack wins scholarship to explore fish behaviour

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Congratulations to Jack Wootton, a third year undergraduate on our BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology Degree.

Jack  has been awarded a two month £1600 scholarship from the Universities Federation For Animal Welfare (UFAW)  to explore the behavioural responses of fish to reflective stimuli in their tanks. This will take place over the summer using fantailed guppies and will be based at the University of Chester.

Jack has always been passionate about fish welfare. He completed a Diploma in Animal Management at Reaseheath  in 2010 and then spent two years working in the field in Borneo and in the industry near his home in Stockport.

He followed this by completing his Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Reaseheath, followed by his current one year top-up which will hopefully lead to him achieving his BSc in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. In addition to his studies Jack gained highly relevant experience working part-time as a zoo keeper at our Animal Centre, helping to look after our fish department.

Jack, who is particularly keen to improve the living conditions of fish in aquaria, applied for his scholarship independently while working for his degree.

He said:  “I was really surprised but delighted when my project proposal was chosen. I am really looking forward to working with UFAW. Reaseheath has 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.”

Talented landscaper to represent GB in world finals

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Talented Reaseheath College trained landscape gardener Matt Beesley is to represent Britain in the WorldSkills finals in São Paulo, Brazil.

Matt, who heard of his selection last week, joins the GB squad to contest the global, Olympics style final, which runs from 11 – 16 August.

WorldSkills runs the competition bi-annually for students aged 23 and under to showcase the skills and value of young professionals in worldwide industries ranging from construction, engineering technology and transportation to IT and communications and social and personal services.

Off to Sao Paulo: Matt Beesley

Off to Sao Paulo: Matt Beesley

Matt, 21, completed his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture in 2012. He now runs his own successful business, Beesley’s Landscapes in Winsford, and employs two apprentices. He first competed in the British selection rounds for WorldSkills while a Reaseheath student and has continued to train intensively as a potential squad member, narrowly missing selection for the world finals in Germany in 2013.

In São Paulo he will be one of two British landscapers who will test their skills and stamina in hard landscaping, plant knowledge and management against the world’s best.

The former Hartford High School pupil said: “Competing and training on the WorldSkills programme has been a fantastic experience for me. I have learned so much and gained such a lot of confidence. I’d particularly like to thank my hard landscape instructor at Reaseheath, Jason Hinks, for his support. I’m now totally focused on the world finals. It would be awesome to bring back a medal.”

Said Jason: “I’m really proud of Matt and how he’s developed as a professional landscaper through WorldSkills. This programme is all about benefiting the students through training and helping them to realise their potential.”