World heritage site becomes new animal base

A Grade 2 listed mill building within Shipley College in Saltaire has become the new base for a cohort of 130 students who are working towards careers in caring for animals.

From future dog groomers and animal breeders, to zookeepers and cattery managers, students studying animal management at Askham Bryan College have, until now, been based in central Bradford.

The college’s main campus is in York but with 3,900 students enrolled on further and higher education courses, the college operates across 11 sites in the North of England.

Wes Johnson, Askham Bryan’s campus principal said he believes the new base will suit the animal management students.

“We have long standing links with West Yorkshire and this will be a wonderful base for our students, providing a positive and enriching learning and teaching environment,” he said.

Shipley College principal, Nav Choan added: “We are looking forward to hosting Askham Bryan’s Animal Care courses which will be a valuable complement to the courses already on offer at the campus in Saltaire.”

Level 3 courses in animal management and equine studies will begin from Askham Bryan’s new Saltaire base in April, and the college hopes to develop links with local farms. Students will also have access to Askham Bryan’s new £6.8m wildlife and conservation centre in York.

The move comes at a time of major investment at the college.

A new study centre to bring agriculture and engineering together under one roof will open on its York campus at the start of the next academic year.

Come September, it will have lecture rooms, an engineering workshop and office space for AHDB Beef & Lamb - a branch of the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board.