Department Newsletter
Spring 2025 / wakefield.ac.uk
Welcome
Greetings from Wakefield College’s Computing and Digital Industries Department!
In a world where technology continues to transform how we live and work, digital skills have never been more valuable—or more exciting to develop.
At Wakefield College, we’re proud to lead the way in digital innovation. Our department was recently featured in Jisc’s digital newsletter for embedding sustainable practices into the curriculum. From cloud computing and data optimisation to secure software development, our students are learning how to build smart, efficient, and environmentally responsible digital solutions.
We also believe in learning beyond the classroom. Our students have showcased their work at major gaming events like GaMaYo and participated in Wakefield Digital Careers Week— connecting with industry professionals, gaining insight into real-world practices, and building valuable experience in areas such as game design, 3D modelling, programming, and project management.
Whether you’re passionate about computing, cybersecurity, or game development, the digital world is full of opportunity—and it’s growing every day. We’re here to help spark ideas, build skills, and support your journey, wherever it takes you.
Wishing you all the best as you explore what’s next.
Rob Charlish Head of Head of Computing & Digital Industries
Computing & Digital Industries Department Leads the Way in Digital Sustainability
Our Computing & Digital Industries Department has been recognised in Jisc’s digital newsletter for its commitment to embedding sustainable digital practices into computing education. This recognition highlights our department’s progressive approach to equipping students with the skills needed to design and implement efficient, secure and responsible digital systems.
Through our range of courses, our students gain hands-on experience in key areas such as cloud computing, data optimisation, and cybersecurity—all of which play a vital role in reducing digital waste and improving energy efficiency.
A major focus of the curriculum is secure software development, ensuring that
“Our focus on digital sustainability has grown significantly, and we now challenge students with real-world applications. From calculating the College’s daily carbon footprint to designing sustainable games in our Game Jam, we are fostering a deeper understanding of this crucial issue.”
Rob Charlish Head of Computing & Digital Industries at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
students graduate with the expertise to build robust, long-lasting digital solutions that minimise resource consumption while maintaining high performance.
By working closely with industry partners, we ensure our students are not only developing technical skills but are also prepared to address real-world sustainability challenges in the digital sector.
At Wakefield College, we’re proud to be at the forefront of sustainable computing, ensuring our students are ready to shape the future of the digital world!
Digital Industries Tour and Course Overview
Our Games Design lecturer, Pete, gives you an overview of our games courses and showcases the amazing state-of-the-art facilities on offer here at Wakefield College.
Scan the QR code to watch the video:
Hear from our Students
Computing
Uwais
“I’ve been passionate about coding and game development since I was young, so expanding my programming knowledge has been incredibly rewarding. One of the areas I’ve particularly enjoyed is machine learning, where I’ve been able to teach algorithms how to process and interpret data to recognise patterns.
“My time at Wakefield College has given me the confidence and skills to pursue my degree at the College’s University Centre, and I’m even considering taking my studies further with a Master’s degree in the future. If you’re passionate about technology, this is a great place to start your journey!”
Uwais progressed from a Level 3 Computing course to a Higher National Certificate in Computing
Digital Industries
Dan
“Creating games is my favourite part of the course. I like the process of gathering research, references, building ideas and iterating them. In my first year, I got to try everything out as the College has all the programmes and computers that you need. In my second year, I have been able to specialise in programming and art, using my preferred programming language.
“I love the creative process on this course and developing visually appealing games. I want to go to University in Scotland to do a Bachelor’s degree in Game Design and become an Indie Games Developer, creating thematic and narrative PC games. I recommend the course and think more people should challenge themselves with programming.”
Ethan
“I really enjoyed Media Studies at school so I thought I’d be good at the Games Development course. I enjoy working with Unity, a Game Development software which I used for my final project where we created r a game from scratch.
“My tutors have helped me with the programming side of the course, boosting my confidence in this area. I’ve also learned how to use Blender to make 3D assets, Photoshop skills and Trello, enabling me to develop my project management skills which will come in handy during big projects.”
WX Games Weekend
The WX Games Weekend at WX Wakefield was a phenomenal success, with over 5,000 attendees immersing themselves in a celebration of gaming. As the largest free games event in the North, it featured hands-on gameplay, insightful talks, workshops and a buzzing marketplace.
A key highlight was the contribution of Wakefield College’s Games Design students, led by Rob Charlish. Their innovative projects and Rob’s workshops drew huge interest, providing aspiring game designers with invaluable industry insights.
Attendees enjoyed a range of playable consoles from nostalgic 8-bit classics to the latest PlayStation 5 and Xbox titles. The retro zone featured Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros., arcade cabinets like Pac-Man and a multiplayer area for Mario Kart and GoldenEye showdowns.
Endpoint Esports brought thrilling Rocket League competitions, while fans tested their skills against influencers Miss Carpenator, Jademclaire and Hoppytye. Merch stalls were packed with gaming goodies, from plushies to rare consoles.
With Rob Charlish and Wakefield College students at the heart of the event, WX Games Weekend was both entertaining and inspiring, leaving attendees eager
Game Design Students
Brought Their Game Development Skills to Life at GaMaYo!
Exciting things happened for our students at GaMaYo, where they dived into the world of game development and turned their creative ideas into reality!
This incredible event brought together game developers, industry professionals, and aspiring creators, giving our students the opportunity to showcase their talents, network with experts, and gain hands-on experience in actual game development. From designing levels to coding mechanics, they put their skills to the test in a fastpaced, real-world environment.
Events like GaMaYo provide a fantastic platform for our students to develop their expertise, learn from industry leaders and get a glimpse into the exciting careers that await them in the gaming industry.
A huge well done to our students for embracing this opportunity—we can’t wait to see where their skills take them next.
What is Digital Sustainability?
Digital sustainability is all about using technology in a way that’s better for the planet. It means designing, using and disposing of digital devices and services responsibly, so they have less impact on the environment and help create a greener future.
Here’s how digital sustainability works:
+ SAVING ENERGY – Tech companies are making energy-efficient gadgets and software to reduce power consumption. Smarter coding and greener data centres mean less wasted electricity.
+ CUTTING E-WASTE – Old phones, laptops, and other tech shouldn’t just end up in landfill. Companies are recycling and reusing materials to make new devices.
+ BUILDING TECH THAT LASTS – Instead of upgrading every year, digital sustainability encourages repairable and upgradable devices, so we don’t throw away perfectly good tech.
+ ECO-FRIENDLY CLOUD COMPUTING – The internet runs on huge data centres that use a lot of energy. Companies are switching to renewable energy and smarter cooling systems to cut carbon emissions.
+ GREEN SOFTWARE – Efficiently designed apps and programmes use less power, making devices run faster while being better for the environment.
+ SMART CITIES & IOT – Tech is being used in cities to save energy and reduce waste, like smart traffic lights that reduce congestion and energy use.
+ DATA SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY – Keeping data safe doesn’t just protect privacy—it also prevents unnecessary energy use from cyberattacks and data breaches.
We had a fantastic few days and successfully delivered the Wakefield Digital Careers Week for our Game Development students—and what a great event it was!
Throughout the week, we hosted an exciting line-up of industry professionals, giving students invaluable insights into the world of game development and digital careers.
We also ran a Game Jam with the theme of ‘sustainability’, challenging students to
create innovative and thought-provoking games. Once the week wrapped up, we proudly showcased all their hard work on itch.io, allowing them to share their creations with a wider audience.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the individuals and businesses who generously volunteered their time - their expertise and talks made a lasting impact on our students!
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All events will take place at Wakefield College and Castleford College
Events taking place at both Wakefield College and Castleford College
