9th March 2026
Raptor Awards is proud to announce that Hadlow College in Kent has become the first UK college to embed a Raptor Awards falconry qualification into a full-time study programme. This landmark partnership marks a major step forward in bringing accredited, welfare-focused training with birds of prey into mainstream education.
Through this collaboration, Hadlow students work towards nationally recognised Raptor Awards certification, combining practical skills and theory skills which include topics such as bird of prey nutrition, housing, furniture (equipment), legislation, and free flying. This ensures that new entrants to the sector are not only confident working with raptors, but also trained to an independently assessed standard that employers understand and trust.
This development demonstrates how the Raptor Awards framework can successfully underpin college and training-provider programmes, creating clear, work-ready pathways into roles in falconry centres, pest management, displays, and related fields. We look forward to supporting more education partners who wish to raise standards and professionalism in raptor care and management through accredited training.
Hadlow College in Kent says falconry qualification is 'UK first' - BBC News