Sparsholt College will be once again opening its beautiful 400-acre campus to prospective students next week, Saturday 19 November from 10am to 2pm, to showcase how its students go on to start dream careers in the same way as 2016 leaver Andrew Roffe, who recently gained a job as zookeeper in the Africa section at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Andrew is typical of many Sparsholt students who have chosen an alternative pathway to traditional A Levels by studying a specialist programme – the equivalent to A Levels – but with more in-depth subject knowledge, giving them a real head start at university or with employers.
The College, which is over 100 years old, has an unrivalled reputation with industry and it was the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) who pointed Andrew towards Sparsholt as the leaders in Zoo and Animal Management studies. Sparsholt zoo expert and Andrew’s former lecturer, Daniel O’Loughlin said: “Our vast network of contacts enables Sparsholt students to develop stellar portfolios that are full to the brim with industry experience, putting them in strong positions before they have even completed their studies.”
Visitors to the open day will see the wide range of subjects on offer, many of which are land and animal based. However, others such as Motor Vehicle engineering and Sport and Public Services offer more mainstream programmes, set in state-of-the-art facilities on the College’s stunning campus.
Sparsholt also has its own Higher Education ‘University Centre’ for those studying degree and Master’s level programmes. More and more young and mature people are coming to Sparsholt to study degrees, appreciating the small class sizes, the expertise of the lecturers and the applied knowledge they gain that gives them so much more than just the theory which employers value.
Principal Tim Jackson said: “We host five, sometimes six open events throughout the year where thousands of students and parents visit the campus, to see for themselves how studying at a specialist centre like Sparsholt can really give them the head start they need in their careers.” He continued: “Students studying Level 3 programmes gain the equivalent of two or three A Levels gaining valuable UCAS points which opens doors to university, higher apprenticeships or training with an employer. Students like Andrew are typical at Sparsholt – dedicated and focused on their passion, going on to enjoy careers they love.”
Sparsholt’s beautiful campus is home to some of the best teaching resources in the country including: its own Animal Management Centre, a working farm, the Aquatic Research and Conservation Centre (formerly the National Aquatic Training Centre) complete with its own coarse fishing lake, an Equine Centre including indoor and outdoor arenas, cross country routes and livery and stabling, a superb Sports Centre with its own climbing wall, football pitches, engineering workshops, glass and tropical plant houses and a plethora of hi-tech classrooms, cafés and onsite accommodation for over 500 students.
The College runs an extensive network of transport across the southern region with subsidised fares, to ensure those who wish to study at the College can do so with as much support as possible.
To join the experts at Sparsholt, come along to the Open Day on Saturday 19 November 2016, 10am – 2pm. For more information, please call 01962 776441 or book a place now at https://sparsholt.ac.uk/opendays/