The Brooksby Campus of SMB College Group has officially entered the construction phase of its US$ 22.7 million (£18 million) redevelopment project of Agritech centre, following a ceremonial held last week. The new agritech centre will be equipped with a range of advanced technologies including GIS software for field and yield mapping, virtual learning environments, purpose-built laboratories, as well as drones and robotics.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from project partners Tilbury Douglas and Gleeds, alongside SMB College Group leadership including Principal and CEO Dawn Whitemore, Assistant Principal for Estates Jason Spencer, Director of Land-based and Farm James Fryer, and Director of Campus Andy Graham. Representing the student community were four Level 3 Animal Management students — Amelia, Amelia, Noah, and Leah, from the Brooksby Campus.
Agri-Tech Centre to Feature Advanced Learning Technologies
This Department for Education-funded development will result in the construction of a new agritech centre designed to enhance the educational resources available to students at the specialist land-based campus. The new centre will house technologies such as GIS, virtual learning, labs, drones and robotics. These facilities will support a broad spectrum of qualifications, including Agriculture and Farming, Countryside and Environmental Management, Land-based Engineering, Equine, and Horticulture. In addition to the agritech centre, the development will include the construction of a new refectory and a Student Services area.
Reflecting on the occasion, Principal and CEO of SMB College Group, Dawn Whitemore stated that she was thrilled to have had the opportunity to watch this project come to fruition.
This is a truly transformational project for our Brooksby Campus, and we are incredibly pleased to have the opportunity to remain at the forefront of the Land-based sector with this welcomed investment. It was an honour to officially break the ground and I look forward to watching the developments as the building work progresses.”
James Fryer, Director of Farm and Grounds, also noted the long-term impact of the project.
“This is such an exciting new chapter for our Brooksby Campus. This investment will put us on the Land-based map and will allow us to use state-of-the-art precision farming techniques to educate many future generations of Agriculture and Land-based students. With September 2025 seeing the re-introduction of Level 2 Horticulture and the launch of our brand new T-Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production, it is a very exciting time to become an SMB College Group land-based student.”
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Development Builds on Existing Sustainability Initiatives
This redevelopment project follows a number of ongoing environmental initiatives at the Brooksby Campus, led by the Land-based Industries Teaching team and students. These include a regenerative agriculture and agroforestry project, the restoration of the River Wreake, and a tree planting initiative that has introduced hundreds of trees across the campus’s 850-acre estate. These projects reflect the college’s continued focus on sustainable practices within its curriculum and broader campus operations.
The new development builds upon a long-standing tradition of agricultural and land-based education at Brooksby. As one of only 36 specialist LANDEX colleges in the UK, SMB College Group’s Brooksby Campus has trained thousands of Agricultural, Environmental and Land-based practitioners over multiple generations. Current facilities include a working commercial arable and livestock farm, advanced glasshouses, formal gardens, land-based workshops, and a prominent Equestrian Centre with indoor and outdoor riding arenas, an Aqua treadmill, a mechanical horse, solarium, and weigh bridge. These assets, combined with the new agritech centre, are positioned to further support practical and academic instruction for current and future students.