Cumbria Rural Academy

Recreational Courses Educational Courses Vocational Courses

Cumbria Rural Academy is currently providing equine study courses, training and examinations for the serious rider or keen enthusiast and apprenticeships in the Lake District and Cumbria. We offer equine apprenticeships through various training providers and colleges in the area. Please get in touch for more details!

Bigland Hall Equestrian offers an excellent environment to run land-based courses. We can organise bespoke courses for groups.   Types of courses can include:

Agriculture Plant Operations Leisure Learning
 Game-keeping
Animal Care Conservation Equine Care Animal Transportation

Tim Farron, MP showing support for Cumbria Rural Academy

However, there is a much bigger picture now, and CRA are looking to grow the academy to meet learning and training needs across the county.  This is fully supported by Tim Farron, MP.

There are a number of external factors that have led to the decision to expand the vision of the Academy.  They are environmental, educational, economical and just plain common sense.  We are responding to the needs of a (too) rapidly changing world by offering skills in sustainability.

Why we are expanding our Vision:

  • The school leaving age rising to 18 soon
  • A growing need to prepare ourselves for sustainability
  • University is no longer a viable or desirable route for many school leavers
  • Many young people are not academic
  • Cumbria is primarily rural, tertiary education often results in ‘brain drain’ and/or our educated young people taking on unskilled jobs in order to stay in Cumbria

We are aware that there are a multitude of gifted teachers scattered throughout the county who are able to deliver courses from their own premises or at an already established ‘classroom’. (This may not be a formal classroom, but the natural habitat of the learning for instance, a stable or a farm)

CRA aims to collaborate with interested teachers and trainers to create a cluster of learning opportunities that are not offered in the school system. We will meet the needs of people with varying abilities and learning styles, and be geared towards up-skilling Cumbrians to work in Cumbria.

CRA is a not-for-profit limited company.   The directors are Carol Hack, Amanda Dwair, Sheelagh Myers and Zara Myers.

 

You can contact us on 015395 30333 for information about our current courses or to register an interest.