Sparsholt College welcomes John Denham MP

On Friday 7 March, Sparsholt College - one of the largest land-based Further Education Colleges in England - will welcome John Denham MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Mr Denham's visit will commence with the meeting of the 22 College Principals of the Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges in Hampshire, and then with the Principals of Landex - a network of Further and Higher Education colleges with specialist provision in land based subjects.

The Secretary of State will then visit Sparsholt's National Aquatic Training Centre and the Animal Management Centre where he will meet students studying at the college.

Tim Jackson, Principal of Sparsholt College, said: "The Principals of Landex and I are thrilled to welcome John Denham MP to Sparsholt College. We are looking forward to the opportunity to discuss the range of specialist industry sectors, professions and businesses with which land-based colleges work and the type of training and facilities which are required to support these.

"The Landex colleges have a successful track record in working closely with schools and launching people into new careers. They also provide in-service Continuous Professional Development in businesses connected with land and food, horticulture and animals, sport, aquaculture and many other closely allied supply industries.

"The Landex colleges typically involve a range of highly applied, fascinating and really motivating provision in subjects up to and equivalent to A-Levels and also higher education programmes such as Foundation Degree and Honours Degrees. 

"It's excellent that we have the opportunity to show the Minister around a land-based college and it's good of him to find the time to understand and appreciate the unique role which we perform. I look forward to showing him the outstanding facilities Sparsholt College offers its students and the wider community."