Health and Social Care students at Keighley College have raised more than £300 for Mind UK.

In honour of World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October, the students invited staff and students to join them for a cup of tea and a biscuit at the Keighley College kiosk.

Designed to encourage people to take a break and to promote positive wellbeing, the students ran a bake sale with the proceeds being donated to UK mental health charity, Mind.

On the promotional material for the event, the students explained:
“Getting together and talking to people is good for your mental health. At Keighley College we believe a brew and a chat with friends is a good way of staying connected and promotes good mental health for all.”

The college regularly runs fundraising events with Foundation Studies students raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support less than a month ago at the start of October. 

World Mental Health Day
According to mentalhealth.org.uk,“The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is suicide prevention.”

Inspired by the event, Keighley College supported World Mental Health Day by promoting mindfulness and positive wellbeing in a variety of ways, including playing relaxing piano music.

In addition, Beauty students offered free relaxing hand massages and Health and Social Care students ran a bun, cake and sweet sale to raise money for Mind.

Running for more than 70 years, Mind mental health charity addresses a range of mental health problems and provides support and advice to as many individuals as possible.

Commenting on the warm and welcoming event, one student said: “The kettle’s always on at Keighley!”

Keighley College champions wellbeing
Keighley College regularly promotes positive mental health and provides wellbeing support to both staff and students.

The most notable example of this, is Chummy the Pug, a friendly puppy brought in to provide relief from stress and worries.

The college also has a dedicated Safeguarding team, devoted to ensuring all students and staff are kept free from harm. The college also cites “Welcoming” as one of its brand values and takes pride in providing an environment that is safe, healthy and inclusive.

Most recently, Keighley College was publicly thanked by the founder of Neurodiversity Celebration Week for signing up to take part in the event which will occur on 16-20 March, 2020.

The event is designed to acknowledge special education needs (SEN) and different neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia to reduce stigma and negative connotations surrounding the conditions.

For the latest up-to-date news on Keighley College, keep tabs on our Twitter @KeighleyCollege.

Students at Keighley College, who sat their GSCEs earlier in the year turned out in their numbers to pick up their results.

As of 2019, almost all GCSE results are now using the new 9 -1 grading scale which has replaced the old A*-G system, with 9 being the highest grade. The new system has been gradually phased in since 2017.

Steve Kelly, Principal at Keighley College, said, “We are very proud of all our students and we want to say a big congratulations to those who received their GCSE results today.

“Over the past year, hundreds of students have passed their qualifications, including GCSEs, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. This has been a fantastic year, with improving success rates and students making positive progress.

“Many of our students are progressing to work, higher education and further study at the college. This year is an exciting one for us with the expansion of our Textile Academy, professional sports coaching in partnership with regional sports teams, digital welding and supported internships.

“We are also pleased to announce a new range of courses for adults as well was the opening of Keighley’s very own University Centre. This will offer a number of degrees including Teaching and Learning and Health and Wellbeing. We now have started enrolling and would encourage anyone interested; both studying and working with us to contact 01535 685000 www.keighleycollege.ac.uk”

Young people and staff from Keighley College spoke of their hopes and vision for the future during a day-long visit from Dame Julia Cleverdon.

Members of the council, education organisations such as the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, as well as employers that include Gesipa and Airedale Springs, attended the luncheon to discuss key issues affecting the community and the positive work they are doing to promote literacy and apprenticeships, whilst raising awareness of STEM subjects for young girls.

Principal Heather Whitehead, said: “The students are at the heart of what we do and Dame Julia Cleverdon’s visit is a testament to the work that we are currently doing to offer an inclusive and accessible environment where students receive the support they need to thrive.

“The college’s wider objectives include promoting innovation. Working in partnership with the local council, key employers and our community, we endeavour to provide students with the skills they need to succeed,” she added.

Dame Julia, who sits on the Enterprise and Careers Company, a new initiative by the government to try and understand what can be done to raise the employability pathways for young people, said she wanted to find out and understand the great things that are happening in Bradford and surrounding areas.

“I have always been interested in what happens to young people in some of the most important communities and cities across Britain.

“I am very keen to hear from them and to understand what they think is working and what we can implement to make their vocational, academic or apprenticeship journey worthwhile,” she added.

The afternoon consisted of a tour around the college including a visit to the Textile Academy and Engineering department where Dame Julia spoke to students at length, praised the wonderful work they are doing and encouraged them to continue pursuing their career goals.

As Vice President of Business in the Community and former Special Adviser to The Prince’s Charities where she concentrated on responsible business practice and connecting disadvantaged communities, she continues to promote collaboration among senior leaders from business, government, education and community organisations to build a more robust civil society.

Mrs Cleverdon also highlighted the National Literacy Service, which she chairs, and the National Citizen Service (NCS). She added that a lot of work has been done so far in engaging and promoting literacy to the whole community but that more work needed to be done.

Appointed to the NCS in 2018 for a two-year term, Dame Julia spoke of the work that the government-backed programme is doing and its innovation and real concern to do things to help the wider public.

13% of 16 year old students in Bradford went through the National Citizen Service last year and with the support of its social action element, it continues to empower young people to make a difference in their communities and to foster a sense of social responsibility for the future.

This year’s summer programme starts on 24 June 2019 and will host a series of business workshops, volunteering and fundraising programmes. Approximately 500,000 teenagers have taken part in the scheme since 2011.

Hello my furry little chums!

I sit here paws prepared, having some pug reflection on 2019 so far.

January: WHAT A MONTH! I have become world famous – well nearly! You might have seen my cheeky chummy face on the BBC, or in the newspaper. I’ve been truly living the doggy dream, being the most spoilt and loved pug that ever existed.

You could say I’m getting a bit ‘pug-headed’ with all of the comments flying around about me:

‘Every school needs a Chummy’

‘I want to move schools’

‘I wish my school had a Chummy’

‘I need Chummy’

‘We need a Chummy!’

‘I want to come to your college’

You get the idea.

At college, we have had quite a time so far this academic year. Following on from a very lazy snuggly puggly Christmas (where I ate far too many leftovers and let go of my strict diet), it was all go from the moment the college doors opened on 7 January.

What’s been happening at Keighley College?

Our Level 3 Media Makeup Students went to the Airedale Shopping Centre for the Keighley Kids’ Theatre Day. They put their skills to the test and created a variety of makeup looks.

We held our ‘Next Chapter’ event where the team officially shared the new identity and vision for the future of Keighley College – I was obviously mentioned more than once!

Our students undertook joinery work experience at St Alban’s Place with Keir Construction and had a brilliant and useful experience.

We elected the new Keighley College student governor – Rhian Evans – she is completely pawsome.

In other news, I’ve been spending a lot of time running up and down the college stairs, trying to lose my Christmas Chummy Chub!

Our next big event coming up is the taster event on Saturday 9 February. I will be there, looking as cute as ever.

Book on and you can come and give me the biggest squeeze, as well as getting hands-on experience in courses that interest you. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/keighley-college-taster-day-tickets-5293450553

I’ve loved 2019 so far and there’s so much more to come. Thanks again everyone for all your support, strokes and pug love…

Chummy xox

Hello chums!

First of all I’d like to woof a huge thank you to all those students and teachers who have complimented me on my new slimline self. This is because my owner enrolled me at a dog gymnasium at half-term and I have been working out every other day, pumping iron and walking briskly on the treadmill. My owner also makes  me run up and down the library stairs until I am quite exhausted and panting for water! I love the exercise but the strict diet of salad every day for lunch isn’t really my thing – I prefer meaty chunks in gravy… yum yum!

So much has been happening at college lately, it’s hard for a pup to keep up! Especially when a pup’s had no sleep because of silly fireworks… I’m so glad they’re over!

We had lots of Halloween fun at college. College staff and students voluntarily marshalled at the Monster Dash for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice and froze their paws off! Go team!

Our media and makeup students were available on steam trains, in shopping centres and in college making people look SCARY. They did a brilliant job in their transformations. I dressed up as a doggy skeleton and looked pretty scary if I do say so myself…

The college itself has also undergone some transformations. In the atrium we have a whole array of beautiful red poppies for remembrance, made by Keighley College students. 1546 poppies to symbolise every day that World War 1 lasted. Not only the flush of red poppies through the atrium, we also have colourful new signage on the entrance. It looks amazing!

In other college news, we had our first open day of the year last night. I loved getting snuggles with potential students. Our next open day is in February. Come along and maybe you can get a Chummy pug hug too!

College has just started ‘the reading challenge’ which started on 5th November and will continue on until February. This gives anyone, students or staff, a personal opportunity to improve literacy and read for pleasure. The aim is, to simply, read as many books as you can! I for sure will be getting involved. I love to read, especially books with lots of pictures. I can’t wait to meet my target, be invited to the final presentation and be rewarded with a free book, a certificate and a doggie biccie!

We have lots of exciting things going on in the next few weeks…

• Children in Need on Wednesday 14 November

This will include a Duck Race – ducks are available to purchase from Rob and Tracey, the race will be live streamed 1pm on Friday 16 November. Media Make-up Students will be creating Spots, There will be a quiz and a Bun Stall & Cake Auction – donations of cakes would be greatly appreciated! (Donate them to a human and not me as I might not be able to stop myself munching them all up!)

• Design a Christmas Card for Keighley College

This is on all week this week until 16 November. Come down to the atrium and make a Christmas card. Best card wins title of ‘College Christmas Card’. Come on, you know you want to!

• Bradford District Apprenticeship event on 22^nd November
• ‘Have a Go’ activities in the atrium, making soups, world cuisine…
• Christmas fun! Winter Wonderland, Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Crafts… I’m internally barking with excitement.

Thanks again to everyone who’s been involved in making college so far this year a great place to be! I’m certainly having fun.

From Chummy xox

We are thrilled to announce our results for the 2017-18 academic period as the best ever. Not only this, our statistics make the college one of the most improved colleges in the country.

Across GCSEs and all vocational qualifications, achievement rates reached 85.3 per cent – five per cent up on the previous year and above the national average. Staff at Keighley College are delighted, Heather Whitehead, director of operations at the college, said: “I’m delighted with the outstanding achievements of our students.

“The improvement of results over the last two years is 12 per cent, which is staggering.

“Achievements are now four per cent above the national average, with more of our students progressing into employment, apprenticeships or higher education.

“I work with an amazing group of staff and they have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide students with the support they need to achieve.”

Read the full article here. 

On 19 September 2018, the Public Services and Sports staff and students took part in a day-long multi-activity exercise with the British Army Outreach Unit from York. Despite high winds and rain showers, the day was a great success, with all the students gaining valuable experience and knowledge on how a recruit in the army learns to work as part of a team. Around 50 Keighley College students took part in the sessions, which saw them tackle numerous different forces themed ‘command tasks’ in teams. Each team was given 15 minutes to carry out each task by using their teamwork and problem solving abilities.

The tasks included the following:

‘A Bridge Too Far’: teams used two planks to build a bridge between three platforms. ‘Five Tyres’:  teams moved five numbered tyres from one end of a course to another. ‘The Minefield’: teams used ammunition boxes as stepping stones through a ‘minefield’. ‘Barrel Retrieval’: students recovered a barrel from the centre of a ‘minefield’ through teamwork and ropes whilst avoiding the danger zone. Running and other physical activities were offered to warm up the group to give them a taste of the fitness regime of the army. All of this was followed by the whole group completing an army drill session, learning how to come to attention and march as a squad. Mark Hargreaves, Service Profession Programme Manager for Keighley College, said: “This was a brilliant, practical session that really tested the skills and ingenuity of our students while taking part in a variety of fun activities. The tasks were all designed to test their problem solving, teamwork and leadership skills and they showed the importance of working together to achieve their aims”. The session was held as part of Keighley College’s Public Services and Sports courses work experience. Work Experience is designed to help improve students’ personal skills outside the classroom, such as communication and leadership, both desirable skills to employers in later life.  

Hello chums,

I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer.

For those of you who don’t already know me, I’m Chummy the college pug. I spend most of my time snuggling, cuddling, barking, eating and being stroked. You’ll find me in the corridors, in the atrium, all around the college. Please come and say hello – I’m a very friendly pup. 

So much is going on at the college this year! First of all, I’d like to welcome all students – ongoing and new – back to college to start the new academic year. I’m excited! Are you excited?

New Year, New Start

We’re starting this year with all sorts of fun and activities. We’ve held a Fresher’s Fair and Admissions fair and our students are excited and ready to get started.

More happy news to start off the year. As you may have noticed around the building and online, our new logo has been created. Not only that, we’ve had an unbelievable year for results, we are so proud of our students and staff and all the hard work that’s gone into the results!

We have new courses available – these include new foundation degrees in Health and Social care, and HNC courses, Healthy Living – a food hygiene course, Nebosh and Iosh (managing Health and Safety in the work place) and we have secured Foundation Studies Internships who are going to be working at Airedale Hospital in October.

We have recently opened ‘KC’s Kiosk’ in the atrium which sells food, snacks, and other useful goods like deodorant and water bottles. The kiosk is run by staff and students, please drop by and get yourself some treats! Unfortunately, they are yet to provide dog snacks and treats but I will wait patiently until they do, I am a good pup.

The KC Job shop has been opened to give students advice and guidance surrounding careers, work experience and so on. It is open every day, so don’t hesitate to pop by and ask any questions. 

Students out and about in the community

Already our students are out and about in the community. On 19 September  the Public Services & Sports staff and student took part in a day long multi activity exercise with the British Army Outreach Unit from Strensall York. It was a fantastic day. 

On Saturday 29th September, we have a group of students and staff marshalling the Starlight Hike for Manorlands, this is to raise money for Manorlands Hospice, this year’s chosen charity.  

Events coming up soon

We have lots of events coming up in the college over the next few weeks such as:

• Open evening 7 November
• Skills Yorkshire 3 October and 4 October
• World Mental Health Day… Mellow Yellow Chill Out Zone 10 October
• Bradford Manufacturing week 8 – 12 October
• Halloween – Get your spooooook on!
• Engineering week – 5 – 9 November
• Poppy Installation – 2 weeks surrounding remembrance day

I’d also like to let you know that the college will be holding holiday clubs over half term which could include craft activities, Healthy Living, STEM and Outdoor Pursuits. Specific clubs available will be confirmed and released very soon.

Thanks for reading and I can’t wait to see some of you around the college this year. 

Lots of love and pug snugs,

Chummy xox 

On 14^th June, Keighley College held an evening of celebration to recognise the hard work, achievements and successes of all our students. Over 30 departmental awards were presented and 6 sponsored special recognition awards.

Key guests who attended were: Keighley Town Mayor Cllr Fulzar Ahmed, Gill Battarbee, daughter of John Parkes (former student of Keighley College) who kindly sponsors the Engineering Student of The Year, Outstanding Contribution, Overcoming Adversity and Keighley College Student of The Year, members of the Board, ELT and Schools representatives.

Winners

• Amy Thorpe Keighley College Student of The Year
• James Boocock John Parkes Engineering Student Of The Year
• Aiden Holmes John Parkes Overcoming Adversity award
• Leah Moorby John Parks Outstanding Contribution award
• Jasmine Hibbert Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) award
• Jessica Pinto Dermalogica Student Of The Year

It was a fantastic evening which made many staff, parents and carers very proud of all out students achievements.