Plumpton College receives sought-after Queen’s Prize

Plumpton College has been awarded the highest honour in education, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for its contribution to English and Welsh wine.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is granted every two years by the reigning monarch for higher and further education, and according to the Royal Trust, which assigns the prize, the accolade is “designed to shine a light on the “groundbreaking work taking place in universities and colleges across the UK”.

Last year’s recipients of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize include City College Plymouth for leading the way for the UK on marine and maritime skills, and the University of Birmingham for supporting sustainable UK manufacturing of aero-engines, to name just two.

In November, the UK’s foremost wine educator, Plumpton College, joined the prestigious ranks. A medal and certificate will be officially awarded to Plumpton for its work in wine education, and for its wider impact on the English and Welsh wine sector, at a ceremony due to take place during 2024.

“I am delighted to accept this most prestigious award, not only on behalf of Plumpton College, but for all those who have been part of this journey, and those who continue to shape our curriculum today,” said Plumpton principal Jeremy Kerswell.

“It’s a story that has been 40 years in the making but is now more important than ever before. Plumpton College continues to meet the needs of the industry by providing sector-leading graduates with the right skills for sustained growth within the UK’s wine sector and beyond through our vast alumni network.”

Founded in 1985 in East Sussex, Plumpton College offers adult courses on everything from viticulture to veterinary and animal science, as well as one-day workshops in areas such as horticulture and floristry.

In 2022 the college launched a National Competency Framework for the English wine industry, and this year it welcomed ex-Bolney winemaker Sam Linter, as the new wine director of Plumpton’s Division of Wine.

Plumpton also produces its own sparkling wine, Plumpton Estate English Brut NV.

Nicola Bates, the new chair of WineGB congratulated Plumpton on this “highly-prized and special award”, adding that the college has “contributed significantly to the development of the UK wine industry over the last decades through training, education and knowledge”.

She added: “Their graduates make up many of the business owners, winemakers and viticulturists who drive the work of WineGB.”

Currently, more than 95% of wineries and vineyards across the UK employ staff who have been trained and educated at Plumpton college.