Hidden wonderland unveiled as Hopwood Hall Family Fun Day stuns visitors with animals, tech and career-building promise

From alpacas and wallabies to digger simulators and 3D printing, Middleton’s Hopwood Hall College wowed hundreds of locals at its Family Fun Day, a showcase of how the college is transforming lives and challenging expectations.

Hopwood Hall College’s Middleton campus opened its gates on Saturday 21 June for a spectacular Family Fun Day that brought hundreds of local residents, families and prospective students face to face with a campus many had never seen before. Spanning 78 acres of woodland and specialist facilities, several visitors and staff described the site as a “hidden wonderland” just outside the town centre.

“People come down that driveway for the first time and just stop in their tracks,” said Principal and CEO Julia Heap. “They don’t expect meerkats, alpacas, engineering simulators and 3D printers,  and yet that’s all part of everyday learning here, in Middleton.”

Attractions included a Blue Cross rehoming cattery, managed by animal care students. “These are nervous rescue cats, our students care for them, help get them rehomed, and really develop confidence in doing it,” explained Lisa Vincent during a tour with Roch Valley Radio. “It’s about real responsibility.”

But the event wasn't all about cute animals. Guests also tried their hand at operating heavy machinery using state-of-the-art digger simulators. “This teaches you how to operate the real thing,” explained Adam, one of the demonstrators. “The software can simulate different types of ground and working conditions, so once they’re out on site, students aren’t learning from scratch.”

With around 10,000 students enrolled annually and over 650 staff across two campuses, Hopwood Hall continues to grow in size and scope. “It’s more than a school,” Julia added. “We’re a university, a skills centre, a rescue facility, a tech lab, and a community.”

Elsewhere on campus, 3D printers were in action, producing race car models that students later raced on an F1-style track. “It’s engineering, but it’s exciting,” said Lisa. “It’s not just spanners and metal anymore. Robotics, CNC, design, it’s all changing.”

Hopwood’s focus on employability was clear throughout. “We’re massive on construction and skilled trades,” said Julia. “We’ve got a new plant operation course starting in September, and T Level students are already being snapped up by employers.”

“T Level students do 45-day placements, so businesses get to see their skills in action,” she continued. “The best get offered jobs before they even graduate. One of my favourite things is seeing them walk into employment because they’ve earned it.”

But the day wasn’t just about future jobs, it was also about having fun. Children and families got involved in activities, messy crafts, and enjoyed food from local vendors. Roch Valley Radio’s Breakfast host Billy even had a go on the horse-riding simulator, used by students for training. “I feel like I’m actually riding!” Billy exclaimed mid-canter. “My legs are going to feel this tomorrow!”

Lisa Vincent, Head of External Engagement, summed up the day: “It’s not just about college. It’s about showing people what’s possible when you invest in young people. That includes changing perceptions, like why can’t girls drive excavators, or code robots, or lead construction teams?”

A conversation with students and staff later turned to future careers. “We’re still battling stereotypes,” Lisa admitted. “Only 15% of engineering roles in the UK are filled by women. So we’re going into schools and saying, look at what’s here, look at what you can become.”

Reflecting on the college’s values, she added: “We don’t just come up with slogans for the sake of it. When we say we’re about ‘driving growth and changing lives’, we mean it. We’ve got students from the most disadvantaged wards in Greater Manchester, and they’re thriving here.”

As families wandered through the woods, spotted wallabies by the shed, and tried out pickleball, it became clear that this wasn’t just a college open day, it was a celebration of possibility.

“Where else in Middleton can you see meerkats, build an F1 car and learn how to operate an excavator, all in one afternoon, for free?” Lisa asked. “It’s amazing.”