Sparsholt College

Our Apple Roadshow will be back this Autumn!🍎

Be sure to stop by one of the events on our Apple Roadshow happening over the next few months to discuss all things apples with our expert lecturer Chris Bird 🍏

Congratulations to former Sparsholt lecturer Rod Greenwood on receiving the Ian Richardson Trophy!

Recognised for his outstanding contribution to wildlife management education and professional standards, Rod has spent more than 30 years helping shape the future of the countryside sector through his expertise, teaching and commitment to excellence.

The ceremony was held at The Game Fair on the 25th July 2026 as part of the BASC - The British Association for Shooting and Conservation annual honours and awards recognising those who have made a lasting contribution to shooting sports, wildlife conservation and the wider countryside community.

A thoroughly deserved award👏

Congratulations to Sparsholt College student Lucas Orton, who proudly represented England at the U22 Carp World Championships in Latvia earlier this month as part of The Angling Trust England National U22 Carp Team!

Competing against some of Europe's best young anglers, Lucas and his teammate Jack delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home an incredible second place in the pairs competition. The England U22 team also secured a strong 6th place overall.

Balancing the demands of a T Level in Crop Production with competing on the international stage is an exceptional achievement, and we're incredibly proud of Lucas's dedication, determination and success.

Congratulations, Lucas!👏🎉

Read more: https://bit.ly/45kg7iW

After a 7-year break, our Countryside Management students made their long-awaited return to the Cairngorms, and what a week it was!

From exploring Caledonian pinewoods and spotting glacial relics like the ptarmigan, to unforgettable wildlife encounters (dolphins, ospreys and beavers), this trip brought classroom learning to life in the wildest way possible.

Students went behind the scenes at Highland Wildlife Park, climbed Cairngorm Mountain, studied upland river systems, and even experienced the magic of the Moray Firth with dolphins swimming alongside the boat.

A huge thank you to the incredible staff, experts, and partners who made it all possible - and to this brilliant group of students for finishing their course in style.

A few days ago, we celebrated Crumpet’s 22nd birthday! 🥳🎉

To make the day extra special, our AHWRC team made a birthday cake topped with all of her favourite treats. Being the sweet-natured girl she is, Crumpet didn’t keep the goodies all to herself she happily shared her tasty snacks with her friends!

When our Foundation Learning students were invited by Reaseheath College to take part in a bridge-building challenge, they set out to design and build the longest and most sustainable bridge possible.

Built from repurposed willow, pine and jute, the project focused on improving animal welfare while promoting sustainability and hands-on learning. The students researched enrichment techniques, safely developed their construction skills, and worked alongside zoo staff to install the finished bridge.

Not only did the students win the competition, the bridge immediately became part of the lemurs habitat, encouraging exploration and natural behaviours!

We are seeking a talented, enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Sports department!🏆

- Inspire learners and support them to achieve their full potential
- Utilise excellent facilities to enhance your sessions
- Join an incredible community of students and staff

Applications for this exciting Part-Time Lecturer in Sport role are open until 22nd July 2026!⏰

Find out more about the role requirements, additional details and opportunities: https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/college/jobs/

Students have combined creativity with conservation by knitting and crocheting a collection of charming British wildlife keyrings to support RWR Runham Wildlife Rescue, a Norfolk-based charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife.

The handcrafted creations, made by members of the College's Study+ Knit & Crochet Group during the spring term, include a variety of native British wildlife and will be sold by the charity to help raise vital funds for its rescue and rehabilitation work.

The project forms part of Sparsholt College Group's Study+ programme, which offers students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities alongside their studies. The Knit & Crochet Group provides a welcoming space for students to develop new skills, make friends and contribute to meaningful community projects.

The initiative also reflects the College Group's commitment to wildlife conservation, complementing projects taking place across the campus such as the Tiger Beetle Native Species Conservation Project at the Animal Centre. Led by Gary Miller and the Animal Health and Welfare Centre Team, the project supports the conservation of one of the UK's rarest native beetles, helping students understand the importance of protecting local biodiversity.

Study+ Knit & Crochet Group leader and Animal Centre Deputy Manager, Catharine Potter said: "Our students really enjoyed creating these little wildlife characters, knowing that each one will help raise money for a fantastic cause. It's been wonderful to combine creativity with giving back, while celebrating the amazing wildlife we have here in the UK."

The knitted wildlife collection showcases the enthusiasm and generosity of Sparsholt College Group students, demonstrating how small acts of creativity can make a positive difference to lots of different wildlife charities and conservation efforts.

Birthday celebrations for our Red Pandas!🎂

It's been a busy few weeks for our furry friends, with the cubs celebrating their first birthday and Meeko turning the big 10 shortly afterwards!🎉

Zula celebrated here at Sparsholt alongside her mum, while Zemi marked the occasion with his new mate at Yorkshire Wildlife Park having made the move as part of the EEP breeding programme.

Happy birthday, Zula, Zemi and Meeko!❤️

Are you ready to take your passion for horticulture to the next level?🌱

Applications for our part-time horticulture courses including the Practical Horticulture RHS Certificate Level 3 are now open! Whether you are looking for a skills boost, professional development, a change of direction, to get back into employment – or simply a stimulating pastime, we've got the course for you.

Browse our wide range of courses and find something new to suit you: https://bit.ly/3T9t7lp