College launches new Life Sciences department

John Spindler, Deputy Principal at Hopwood Hall College, Henry West, ex-Chairman of Governors at Hopwood Hall College and Andy Dawson, Centre Director for Life Sciences at Hopwood Hall College officially opening the new Life Sciences development

Hopwood Hall College officially opened its new Life Sciences development this week (Tuesday 17 September).

The site is now home to the College’s animal care, horticulture and science departments.

Along with the new facilities, the site will house over 100 species of animals and birds, including meerkats, sheep, goats and birds of prey, as well as being home to new Blue Cross chalets for rescue cats.

These join the many species the College already housed, including scorpions, tarantulas, snakes and chipmunks.

The College has more than 100 students studying animal management but this figure is expected to double over the next few years thanks to the new Life Sciences area.

The development has ensured that the College can offer for the first time, horticulture programmes. Facilities include greenhouses, polytunnels, workshops and laboratories to house learning activities as well as fields which will be used to grow organic vegetables, plants and flowers.

It is expected there will be 100 students studying for these courses every year. All the courses have been designed to help prepare students for higher education and employment in these industries, particularly for veterinary and land-based careers such as grounds maintenance, tree surgery and retail.

John Spindler, Deputy Principal at Hopwood Hall College, commented: “The facility will be unique in Greater Manchester and we are expecting to attract students from the whole region. We have already recruited our first groups of horticulture students, including a number of apprentices, and we are hugely impressed with their enthusiasm for their subject.

“We want the new facilities to be used and enjoyed by the wider community too, and we are currently inviting local primary and secondary schools to visit and use the facilities.”