Hartpury College has been officially rated “outstanding” following a recent Ofsted inspection
The Gloucestershire-based college, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, specialises in equine, sport and land-based courses.
Hartpury runs futher education courses (including horse management BTEC), higher education courses (such as equine business management and equine dental sciences) and part time courses (from BHS stage 1 to introduction to breeding and feeding your horse).
The college also hosts the Mistubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials (CCI*, CC** and CIC**), The Hartpury Festival of Dressage and the Hartpury showjumping spectacular.
“I believe the environment we have created here at Hartpury is quite unique — it’s one that I’m very proud of,” said Malcolm Wharton, who has been principal since 1990.
“We have a national and international reputation for equine studies in particular, but also in the field of agricultural education and sport.
“Ofsted inspections are always an apprehensive time but I am certainly confident in what we do and how we do it. The inspection concluded that we have well balanced students who attain excellent qualifications through hard work and high attendance and as a result are well equipped for their next steps in life.”
Hartpury has been developed after £40m of investment over past 15 years. The 400-acre college has 3,300 full time students.
Former three-day-eventer and Olympic gold medallist Jane Holderness-Roddam is a college governor.
“I have been close to Hartpury College for nearly 20 years and the transformation over that time has been phenomenal,” she said.
“The College has raised its standards in all areas and is now a top flight education centre and from my point of view a wonderful ambassador for the horse and equine world.”
For more information visit: www.hartpury.ac.uk
