Key Updates
Launch of Monday.com
We’ve implemented a new workflow and project management system for Marketing, Design and Web requests to ensure colleagues can easily make requests for our support, and we can effectively deliver on these alongside our ongoing marketing projects.
To request our services going forward, please use the relevant form as follows:
Marketing Request Form:
https://forms.monday.com/forms/5e8cb15165da8295eee4a291b3d0d34c?r=euc1
Design Request Form:
https://forms.monday.com/forms/713b377027bbd772adf48bd4a4994ac5?r=euc1
Web Request Form: https://forms.monday.com/forms/54054ea99c2e719b86d10442657c960f?r=euc1
For any Reprographics requests please continue to use the usual link to the portal.
Photography/video/ content gathering week
– w/c 20th April
Each Spring, we dedicate a whole week to visiting classes across our campuses, along with a professional photographer, to gather new content and case studies for use in our marketing materials across the coming year. This year, we’ve also got videographers on site for three of these days, who will be capturing footage for use in future videos, including the prospectus launch movies.
Thank you to all colleagues who have invited us in to capture their classes and speak to students. The plan for the week is as follows:
• Monday – Selby College
• Tuesday & Wednesday – Wakefield College
• Thursday – Selby (AM) & Castleford (PM)
• Friday – Castleford College
Photography Requests and Consent
It’s great to see so many fantastic activities going on across our three Colleges (and beyond), and we really appreciate you making us aware of these. Where we can, we’re always happy to pop along and take some photography and gather further information for social media and press releases.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to make every photo opportunity, so we have purchased new cameras we can provide for occasions where we cannot attend – please ensure you provide at least a weeks’ notice for photography requests so this can be arranged as needed. For safeguarding reasons, it’s really important that colleagues are not capturing images of students on personal devices. Please always use a work phone, or collect a camera from us as above.
20 APRIL
It is becoming increasingly important that we gain students’ consent before capturing them for any marketing materials – please ensure you are gaining this before taking any photography using the below forms, which make it clear why we are taking the footage and how it will be used. If we do not receive these completed forms along with the images, unfortunately we cannot share the content on our marketing channels.
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Consent Form 2026
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Consent Form 2026 - Early College Transfer Students (this is a parental consent form as our ECT students are between 14-16)
We Are the Heart – Phase 2
You’ll remember that last year we launched our We Are the Heart campaign, which encapsulates the importance of living out our mission, vision and values every day – putting our students and communities at the heart of everything we do, whilst ensuring a positive and respectful environment for us all to work in. To refresh your memory, you can re-watch the video here: We are the Heart | Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
We’ll be continuing to roll out the campaign across all three College sites and our digital platforms in the coming months. We’ve recently released a new email footer and Teams background to be used by colleagues, which can be downloaded here: Templates & Resources
Department Newsletters
Whilst school leaver application and acceptance figures are looking strong across all three Colleges for this September, it’s really important that we keep those prospective students warm, and ultimately convert the applications and acceptances into enrolments!
GreetingsfromSelbyCollege’s ComputingandDigital IndustriesDepartment! Hello,I’mRobCharlish,Headof Computing&DigitalIndustries,andI’d liketoextendawarmwelcometoyou. You’reexploringoneofthemostexciting andrapidlyevolvingindustriesinthe world.Whetheryourinterestsliein coding,cybersecurity,gamedesign,or digitalsustainability,thedigitalsector offersendlessopportunitiestoinnovate, create,andmakeanimpact. Ourapproachtolearningispracticaland hands-on.Forexample,studentshave workedwithorganisationslikeBritish Taekwondotodevelopreal-worlddigital solutions,suchasaprofessional-level gradingsystemnowusedatsporting events.Experienceslikethesehelpbuild skillsandportfoliosthatstandout. Whetheryou’reconsideringacareerin tech,furtherstudy,orlaunchingyourown digitalventure,there’saplaceforyour passionandideasinthisfast-moving field.Thefutureisfullofopportunity—and it’syourstoshape. Wishingyouallthebestonyour
OurComputing&DigitalIndustries Department hasbeenmakingwavesinthe worldofsustainabledigitalpractices,recently earningafeatureinJisc’sdigitalnewsletter. Thearticlehighlightedthedepartment’s dedicationtoembeddingsustainabilityinto computingeducation,equippingstudentswith theskillstodesignandimplementefficient, secureandresponsibledigitalsystems. Fromourrangeofcourses,ourstudentsare abletogainhands-onexperienceinareas suchascloudcomputing,dataoptimisation andcybersecurity—whichareallcrucialin reducingdigitalwasteandimprovingenergy efficiency.
for Class of 2025
GreetingsfromSelbyCollege’s SixthFormDepartment! MynameisKarenRalphsand amthrilled towelcomeyoutoreadourdepartmental newsletter,anexcitingnewpublication designedtokeepyouinformedand engagedwiththelatestdevelopmentsat ouramazingSixthForm. AstheHeadofSixthForm, amdelighted tointroduceyoutoouramazing community,wherewearededicatedto nurturingyouracademicandpersonal growth.TheSixthFormDepartmentanditstutors arealwayscommittedtoenhancing thestudentexperienceoutsideofthe classroom.Inthisnewsletter,youcanfindoutwhat ourcurrentandformerstudentshave beenuptooverthepastyear–from careeractivitiestocollegetrips, enrichmentandstudentstories. EachcohortwewelcometotheCollege consistentlydemonstratesacademic excellenceandenthusiasmtolearn.We areveryproudofourclassof2024who achievedamazingresultsintheirALevels insummer readabouttheirsuccesses inside.Itisimportanttousthatourstudents feelathomeattheSixthForm,sowe haveasupportsystemopentoallof ourstudents.ThisincludesourStudent WellbeingOfficers,aStudentExperience Team,counsellingservicesandmore.
applications,fromcalculatingthe College’sdailycarbonfootprintto creatingsustainablegamesinourGame Jam,fosteringadeeperunderstanding ofthiscriticalissue.”
Ourcurriculumalsoplacesastrongemphasis onsecuresoftwaredevelopment,ensuring thatfutureprofessionalsarepreparedtobuild resilientandlong-lastingdigitalsolutions thatminimiseresourceconsumptionwhile maintainingperformance. Byworkingcloselywithindustrypartners, weensurethatourstudentsarenotonly technicallyproficientbutalsoreadytotackle real-worldsustainabilitychallengesinthe digitalsector.
Thisyearwearecelebrating40yearsof SelbyCollege.Sinceitopeneditsdoorsin 1984,theCollegehasprovidedhigh-quality educationtolearnersofallagesandwalks oflifeacrossourcommunity. SelbyCollege turns40
To help with this, we’ve once again produced curriculum newsletters for each department at each College – that’s 28 separate newsletters in total! We couldn’t put these together without fantastic contributions from every team, so a big thank you and please do keep the great news stories and case studies coming for future materials.
continuallyinspiredbythepassionand
ourdepartmentalnewsletter,an toexcitingnewpublicationdesigned keepyouinformedandengagedwiththelatesthappenings, developmentsandopportunitiesinour amazingdepartment. Astheheadofthedepartment,
Ittrendsanddepartmentalachievements. connectedisanexcellentwayforyoutostay andinformedabout
SecretaryofStatefortheHomeDepartment andMemberofParliament(MP)forPontefract, Castleford,KnottingleyandAltofts,RtHon YvetteCooper visitedCastlefordCollegein Februarytoseetheprogressofitsbrand-new constructionfacilities. constructiondisciplinestoenhancetheir Thelearningusingnewinnovativetechnologies. College’sdevelopmentisanexpansionofthe existingconstructionfacilitiesthat andfeaturestate-of-the-artbrickwork,carpentry electricalworkshops,whichYvette alsovisited.
TwoSixthFormstudentsfromSelbyCollege havebeenofferedplacesatoneoftheUK’s top-rankinguniversities,theUniversityof Oxford.AnaspiringLawyer,HenryToyewhois currentlystudyingALevelBiology,Business andMathematicsattheCollege,hasbeen offeredaplacetostudyLawatOxford University,whilstALevelBiology,Chemistry, MathematicsandFurtherMathematics studentBenNelsonhasgainedaplaceto studyChemistry. Bensaid:“IchosetostudytheseALevelsubjectsbecause knewtheywouldhelpme togetintomydreamuniversity.Mytutorshave beenincrediblysupportiveofmyuniversity applicationsandevenheldone-to-one sessionswherewewouldgoovermypersonal statementandpracticemockinterviews.” Henrysaid:“TheALeveltutorsatSelby Collegereallycareaboutyourprogression andarealwaysencouragingyoutodowell. Thisincludestakingpartinextra-curricular activitiessuchastheIntermediateBiology Olympiadcompetition,whichhelpedto expandmyknowledgeandunderstandingof Biology.”ManystudentstookpartintheIntermediate BiologyOlympiad2024competition,which saw
includingDurhamUniversity,theUniversityof Cambridge. AfterachievingA*sinEnglishLanguage, MathsandBiology,formerstudentEmily MorbeysecuredaplacetostudyHuman SciencesattheUniversityofOxfordandlater progressedontoaMasterofPhilosophy inPopulationHealthSciencesdegreeat theUniversity. Reachingevenhigherlevelsofacademia, EmilyisnowstudyingaPhDinGenetic EpidemiologyattheUniversityofCambridge.
“Beingofferedaplaceto studyatoneofBritain’stop universitiesisanextraordinaryachievementand hopeBenandHenry areincrediblyproudofthemselves.This is
and determinationthey’veshownthroughout theirstudies,aswellasthehigh-quality teachingandsupportofourfantasticA
field. Wealsobelieveinthepowerofreal storiestoinspireandguide.Thatiswhy wewillbefeaturingstudentcasestudies, highlightingthejourneys,challengesandsuccessesofourstudents.These storiesnotonlyhighlightthereal-world asapplicationofourcoursesbutalsoserve innovativeatestamenttothesupportiveand environmentthatCastleford Collegeoffers.
SixthGreetingsfromSelbyCollege’s FormDepartment! toMynameisKarenRalphsandIamthrilled newsletter,welcomeyoutoreadourdepartmental anexcitingnewpublicationdesignedtokeepyouinformedand ourengagedwiththelatestdevelopmentsat amazingSixthForm. AstheHeadofSixthForm, amdelightedtointroduceyoutoouramazing community,wherewearededicatedto nurturingyouracademicandpersonalgrowth. areTheSixthFormDepartmentanditstutors alwayscommittedtoenhancing thestudentexperienceoutsideofthe classroom. ourInthisnewsletter,youcanfindoutwhat beencurrentandformerstudentshave careeruptooverthepastyear–from enrichmentactivitiestocollegetrips, andstudentstories. EachcohortwewelcometotheCollege consistentlydemonstratesacademic areexcellenceandenthusiasmtolearn.We achievedveryproudofourclassof2024who amazingresultsintheirALevels insummer–readabouttheirsuccessesinside. feelItisimportanttousthatourstudents haveathomeattheSixthForm,sowe asupportsystemopentoallof ourstudents.ThisincludesourStudent Team,WellbeingOfficers,aStudentExperience counsellingservicesandmore.
Construction ataccomplishmentsstudents’celebrated AnnualAwardsCeremony
Thehardworkandachievementsofour wereConstruction&CivilEngineeringstudents StudentrecognisedaspartofourAnnual AcknowledgingAwardsCeremony.thededicationthey demonstratedtotheirstudies,OliwiaLoc fromCastlefordCollegeandZakNewton fromWakefieldCollege,werepresented withtheGideonSchreierBursaryAwardin Construction&CivilEngineering.OnhandtodelivertheConstructionStudentJointoftheYearawardswasAlistairMcLoughlin, ManagingDirectoratWaystoneLtd, whosaid:“It’sanhonourtobeabletopresent andtheseawardsinmemoryofGideonSchreier generationtocontinuehisworkininspiringthenext ofconstructionworkers.Seeing theexceptionaltalentofOliwiaandZak, themakesmeincrediblyexcitedforthefutureof constructionindustry.”
toScantheQRcode readthefull storyhere: withAlistairMcLoughlin(left)presentingOliwiaLoc(right) theGideonSchreierBursaryAward Construction &CivilEngineering
havebeenofferedplacesatoneoftheUK’s top-rankinguniversities,theUniversityof Oxford. AnaspiringLawyer,HenryToyewhois andcurrentlystudyingALevelBiology,Business offeredMathematicsattheCollege,hasbeen University,aplacetostudyLawatOxford MathematicswhilstALevelBiology,Chemistry, andFurtherMathematics studentBenNelsonhasgainedaplaceto studyChemistry.Bensaid:“IchosetostudytheseALevelsubjectsbecause knewtheywouldhelpme beentogetintomydreamuniversity.Mytutorshave applicationsincrediblysupportiveofmyuniversity andevenheldone-to-one sessionswherewewouldgoovermypersonal statementandpracticemockinterviews.”Henrysaid:“TheALeveltutorsatSelby andCollegereallycareaboutyourprogression arealwaysencouragingyoutodowell. Thisincludestakingpartinextra-curricular activitiessuchastheIntermediateBiology expandOlympiadcompetition,whichhelpedto Biology.”myknowledgeandunderstandingof BiologyManystudentstookpartintheIntermediate Olympiad2024competition,which andsawthreestudentstakehomeSilvermedals twostudentswinBronzemedals. attainprogrammehashelpedmanyofitsstudents includingplacesatBritain’stopuniversities,DurhamUniversity,theUniversityofCambridge. MathsAfterachievingA*sinEnglishLanguage, MorbeyandBiology,formerstudentEmily SciencessecuredaplacetostudyHuman progressedattheUniversityofOxfordandlater ontoaMasterofPhilosophy theinPopulationHealthSciencesdegreeatReachingUniversity.evenhigherlevelsofacademia,EmilyisnowstudyingaPhDinGenetic EpidemiologyattheUniversityofCambridge.
Welcome
SuzanneBlack HeadofConstruction&CivilEngineering
End of Year Department Awards
This year, we have booked out three spaces (one at each College) for the week of 22nd-26th June, and we are asking departments to hold their end of year awards during this week. We will decorate each of the rooms and be able to provide templates for certificates, presentations and take photography where possible. Locations are as follows:
• Castleford – Library
• Selby – Sports Hall
• Wakefield – Reading Room Departments can book a slot here (deadline Friday 24th April): Group Awards Week - June 2026.xlsx
June Open Events
TEAM UPDATES
TEAM UPDATES
Team Updates
We’re delighted to welcome our new Marketing Officer, Jody Tideswell, to the team. Jody is replacing Terri Holt and will cover the areas Terri did including Construction, Engineering, Castleford College, Employer Engagement and Apprenticeships.
Jody will report directly to Amir Ilyas, who is taking on a new role of Senior Marketing & Events Lead, further building on his vast experience in campaigns and events with some additional responsibilities.
Jody will be predominantly based at Wakefield with Amir and the rest of the team, but will also spend some time at Selby and Castleford. Those needing onsite support at Selby can go to Matt Andrews in Repro in the first instance. Matt can help with providing materials and resources, and direct colleagues to the right place for marketing requests.
We’ve also welcomed Ellie Cook back to the Course Information team following maternity leave. Ellie will be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ellie Wright (who has been covering Ellie C during her maternity leave) will continue in the Team Leader role in Ellie’s absence. We’re currently recruiting a Course Information Assistant to support Ellie W on Mondays and Fridays.
We’d also like to share a change in role for Dean Yoxall, who has taken on the position of Senior Creative, Print & Digital Lead. As part of this role, Dean will now be overseeing the Print Rooms at both Wakefield and Selby. Any queries relating to print room operations at either site should be directed to Dean in the first instance.
Our final round of open events for this academic year take place on:
WEDNESDAY 10th JUNE 5pm - 7pm • Selby College
10 JUNE
WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE 5pm - 7pm •
17 JUNE Wakefield College
Following feedback from last year’s summer events and the positive recruitment figures, we have made the decision not to hold a June event at Castleford College this year, and the Wakefield event has been moved to an evening rather than a weekend.
The June open events will have an increased focus on our Adult and HE provisions, including a HE presentation which all Level 3 students and their parents will receive an invite to. We also expect to welcome a small number of Year 10s who want to get a headstart on deciding their next steps, and some Year 11s who are still deciding what to do this September.
Thank you in advance for providing a warm welcome and fantastic experience for attendees, as always!
Switchboard Course Leaflet Audit
A number of discussions and actions have recently been carried out to ensure that callers are receiving exceptional customer service and a seamless user journey when contacting the Group.
We receive a lot of calls asking for tutors directly – in these instances, the team will email the tutor with the message and ask you to call the enquirer back when you are able to, rather than transferring through directly.
Sometimes, people receive a missed call from us but are not sure who from, making it impossible to direct them to the right place when they call back – to help with this, please ensure you leave voicemails when calling out, and provide your direct line/ email address where appropriate.
Date for the DiariesStaff Celebration Event
Our Staff Celebration Event will take place on Friday 10th July. Once again, the event will be held at Castleford College, with transport provided for colleagues based at Wakefield and Selby. More details to follow in due course.
27/28 and School Leaver Prospectuses
The Course Leaflet Audit 2027/28 is now live, with Heads asked to complete the process by 19th May. Courses are updated through ProSolution Live and the information provided will be used in the 27/28 School Leaver Prospectuses, which we have already begun work on ahead of launching them in schools
