Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall Campus has undergone large-scale redevelopment in the last six months.

This has been made possible with the aid of the Department for Education's T Level Capital fund.

The campus, located close to Ponteland, has seen upgrades to its land-based facilities, which includes a commercial livestock farm featuring a specialist Sheep Management Centre, a BIAZA registered zoo, and BHS approved Equine Centre.

These newly improved and up-to-date facilities will provide students with a real-life working environment to prepare them for a future in the agriculture industry.

The college offers several pathways, such as vocational and T Level courses, allowing students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to venture into the sector through employment or as an apprentice.

For those inclined towards the agriculture, land management and production industry, they will learn the core knowledge and skills required for a variety of occupations.

Claire Gibson, land based curriculum manager at Education Partnership North East said: "The new agriculture facilities and specialist equipment will enable us to deliver an excellent experience for our Livestock Production T Level learners and allows us to prepare them well for their next steps, either in further or higher study or direct to industry."

In the education scene since 2020, T Levels intend to provide young individuals a head start towards their chosen career.

Crafted in collaboration with employers, they infuse classroom learning and on-the-job experience.

This mix is tailored to meet the needs of the industry and ready students for the working world.

This encompasses a new two-year agricultural programme, which is equivalent to three A-levels.

The course will equip students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship, or related technical study through further or higher education.

Northumberland College has three different campuses, but the Kirkley Hall Campus, which is the college's second largest campus, provides agricultural and land-based courses.

This 400-acre site, complete with dedicated agriculture and arboriculture workshops, a zoo housing over 200 species, an equestrian centre and vast areas of land and gardens, provides the needed real-life experience to students.