A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ACTIVITY
2023/24
Sam Wright Principal & Chief Executive
Welcome
We have had a fantastic year, and I am extremely proud of the progress we’ve made in terms of our students’ achievements and all of the activities that we’ve driven to enable our learners to develop.
Our Annual Report for 2023-24 will follow in the Autumn term, when all of our results are confirmed. In the meantime, this document provides just a flavour of some of the fantastic initiatives and achievements across our three Colleges. These include a range of projects and events designed to create a positive experience for our current and prospective students, whilst also highlighting their success stories.
I would like to thank my colleagues, as ever, for their commitment, passion and dedication in ensuring we always strive to be the best we can be for our students.
Best wishes,
Sam Wright Principal & CEO
Highlights across the Group in 2023-24
AUGUST 2023
1. Students from Selby College and Wakefield College celebrated their outstanding results, securing places at several Russell Group universities and heading on to meaningful careers in a range of industries.
2. Selby College’s class of 2023 delivered another strong set of results, with a pass rate of 99.4% with 44% of learners achieving high grades (A*/A/B).
3. A Level students from Wakefield College achieved an overall pass rate of 97.4% – the 20th year in a row the results have exceeded 95%.
4. Acknowledging its commitment to supporting students with SEND, the Group was shortlisted for Further Education Provision of the Year Award at the NASEN awards.
5. The Group gained the seal of approval from its Higher Education students, scoring highly in the National Student Survey 2023 for student satisfaction.
SEPTEMBER 2023
6. The Group started the academic year on a high with a healthy enrolment period, welcoming over 4,500 16–18-year-old students to its three Colleges.
7. Performing Arts and Public Services students played Casualty in a local emergency services exercise at Xscape Yorkshire, in Castleford.
8. Biffa selected Castleford College as its Heavy Goods Vehicle Apprenticeship training provider, helping to meet its business needs.
9. The Group presented at more than 50 assemblies across the region in September and October, to launch its brand-new prospectus.
OCTOBER 2023
10. Wren Kitchens generously donates equipment to Selby College’s Hospitality & Catering students, helping them to prepare for the year ahead.
11. Colleagues enjoyed playing games, relaxing and doing some colouring as part of a ‘Brew & Bun’ event held on World Mental Health Day.
12. Art students from Wakefield College help to brighten up family hubs in the district, as part of a project with Wakefield Families Together.
13. Selby College marked T Levels Week 2023 by opening a brand-new hospital simulation ward.
14. Wakefield College and WDH (Wakefield District Housing) launched a T Level partnership, enabling students to gain hands-on, valuable work experience in their chosen sectors.
15. The Group’s three Colleges welcomed more than 900 prospective students and their parents to their first Open Events of the academic year.
NOVEMBER 2023
16. The Group celebrated a fantastic Ofsted result, receiving the top ‘Strong’ skills rating and a ‘Good’ grade for every aspect of provision and overall.
17. Graduation ceremonies were held at Selby Abbey and Wakefield Cathedral to celebrate the accomplishments of Higher Education students at the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group.
18. Creative Media students at Selby College showcased their documentaries celebrating local heritage at Selby Abbey.
19. Fabrication & Welding apprentice from Castleford College, Kalum Smart, showcased his talents in the World Skills UK SkillsWeld final.
20. The University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group was awarded ‘Silver’ for student experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
21. Celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton delivered a cut and colour workshop for hairdressing professionals at Castleford College.
DECEMBER 2023
22. The Group ended the year on a high, celebrating its students’ achievements at its Annual Student Awards Ceremony.
23. Selby College students gave back to those who need it most at Christmas, with numerous donations made to Selby & District Food Bank.
24. The Group was shortlisted for three Yorkshire Learning Provider Awards, demonstrating its commitment to meet skills gaps across the region.
25. Secondary school pupils built their confidence in the kitchen with a range of cooking demonstrations held by Wakefield College’s Hospitality & Catering Department.
26. Students from across the Group enjoyed a Christmas social trip to White Rose’s ice-skating rink.
JANUARY 2024
27. The Group’s efforts in helping the region develop the green skills for future demands were recognised with a Yorkshire Learning Provider Award.
28. Castleford College’s Level 2 Electrical Installation students visited Caddick Construction in Leeds to experience what it’s like working on a construction site.
29. Wakefield College’s Hospitality & Catering students created a Scottish supper themed menu in its restaurant to mark Burns night.
30. The Group welcomed employers and stakeholders from across the region to help plan and design its curriculum for the year ahead at its Stakeholder Engagement Event.
FEBRUARY 2024
31. Public Service students from Selby College and Wakefield College hit the slopes in Italy as part of the Department’s annual ski trip.
32. Castleford College’s Hair & Beauty department created new ties with Keune – a leading supplier in the hairdressing and barbering sector for more than 100 years.
33. A former Higher Education Sport student helped Wigan Warriors to victory against Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge 2024.
34. The Group marked National Apprenticeship week with a packed-out Employer breakfast and three successful, apprenticeship-themed Open Events.
35. Wakefield College’s Digital Industries students displayed their artwork across the College as part of a vinyl competition with Escape Technology.
36. Yorkshire Air Ambulance presented staff from Castleford College with a cheque after raising more than £545 for the charity following their 400-mile motorbike ride.
37. Selby College’s Art, Design & Media Department hosted a ‘Get Ahead in Music’ event with North Yorkshire Council to help young people enter the music industry.
38. A Level students from Wakefield College took part in a special podcast at Rhubarb Radio’s studios with Wakefield District Council.
39. The Group kickstarted Colleges Week 2024 with a networking lunch for those working in SEND (Special Educational Needs) in the Selby district.
MARCH 2024
40. 20 students from Wakefield College’s Animal Care and Travel & Tourism Departments joined together to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Fiji, hosted by Think Pacific.
41. 40 Art students from Selby College spent two weeks exploring the Big Apple as part of a trip fully funded by the Turing Scheme.
42. Fashion Textiles students from Wakefield College teamed up with Community Foundation Wakefield District to create sustainable fashion across the district.
43. Students across the district gained a taste of careers in Construction at ‘Give Construction a Try’ 2024 at Castleford College.
44. Selby College launched the Children’s University in Selby to promote extra-curricular learning for young people across the district.
45. Staff and students’ efforts to create a more sustainable environment were celebrated as part of Sustainability Week 2024.
46. The Group recognised the exceptional achievements of its apprentices and contributions of its employer partners at its Annual Apprenticeship Awards.
47. Wakefield College’s Volleyball team participated in the Association of College’s Sport National Championships 2024.
48. Selby College launched brand-new and inclusive Level 1 programmes and a Level 3 in Performing and Production Arts (Acting).
49. The Group was shortlisted for the Employer Engagement award and the Campaign of the Year award at the Educate North Awards.
50. Former Selby College student, Emily Morbey, returned to speak about her experiences as a student at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
MAY 2024
51. The Group was named the Training Provider of the Year at the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024.
52. Travel & Tourism students at Selby College and Wakefield College broadened their horizons with visits to EasyJet, Jet 2 and FlyMe.
53. Demonstrating its commitment to supporting student and staff mental health and wellbeing, the Group signed the Association of College’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter.
54. Students and staff became even more colourful whilst raising money at the Group’s annual 5km Colour Fun Run.
55. Castleford College and Wakefield College launched a brand-new range of courses in Art, Business, Construction and Legal Services.
56. Selby College’s Hospitality & Catering Department hosted a ‘Bake-Off’ competition for staff and students, raising £150 for British Heart Foundation.
JUNE 2024
57. Staff from the Construction Department at Castleford College and Art & Design students from Wakefield College appeared on ITV This Morning’s ‘Front Room Face Lift’ with Linda Barker.
58. Fabrication & Welding apprentices from Castleford College showed off their skills as part of the SkillsWeld 2024 National Qualifiers.
59. Former Level 2 Floristry student, Caroline Poskitt, was awarded a Special Commendation for Entrepreneurial Skills at the West Yorkshire Learners Awards 2024.
60. Selby College’s Art, Design and Media Department marked Pride Month with a special celebration.
61. End-of-year shows and exhibitions showcased Art, Design & Media, Music and Performing Arts students’ final pieces of work.
62. Textiles students from Wakefield College celebrated the opening night of their ‘Seeing Double’ exhibition with Double TWO at Wakefield Museum.
63. The academic year ended on a high with student award ceremonies taking place across the Group.
JULY 2024
64. Year 10 Taster Days took place across the Group, welcoming thousands of pupils from more than 20 schools who took part in exciting sessions.
65. The Group’s Inclusion Team held its ‘Festival of Inclusion’ training event which included keynote speaker, SJ White.
66. The achievements of Wakefield Children’s University members were celebrated at its annual graduation ceremony at The Mechanics Theatre in Wakefield.
67. Hundreds of prospective students experienced what it’s like to be a student at Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College as part of New Student Day.
68. From golf to calligraphy to Indian cooking lessons, staff enjoyed a range of activities at the Group’s annual ‘Feel Good’ Day.
69. Colleagues from across the Group gathered to commemorate another successful year at the Group’s Staff Celebration Event.
