Suffolk Rural College is an English further education college in the village of Otley, Suffolk.
The college was founded in 1970 as East Suffolk Agricultural Institute. It merged with Ipswich-based Suffolk New College in 2020, having previously been partnered with Easton College in Norfolk.Sullivan O (2020) Otley merges with Suffolk New College as expansion plans continue, East Anglian Daily Times, 3 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
The college The college offers full-time courses and apprenticeships in the following curriculum areas:
Agriculture Animal Management Arboriculture Construction Equine Studies Fisheries Floristry Foundation Learning Horticulture
Location The campus has specialist vocational workshops and outdoor facilities, as well as general college buildings.
The campus consists of:
A working farm for Agriculture Equine facilities Floristry workshops Commercial Dog Grooming parlour Facilities for Arboriculture Horticulture greenhouses Land-Based Service Engineering workshop Construction workshops Engineering, Motor Vehicle and HGV workshops Foundation Learning areas Range of Sports facilities
The Farm On the farm the college have:
Red-poll cattle. Sheep flock and seasonal lambs. Poultry and seasonal chicks. Goats. Horses and equine facilities (inside and outdoors). Pigs. Alpacas. Land-based engineering technology, including tractors. Arable crops. 95 acres of farmland; made up of grassland, mixed cropping, and environmental areas.
In June 2022, the college announced its desire to open a Farm Shop on campus when visited by MP Dan Poulter
Notable alumni
Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek)
References