The Principal of Keighley College has praised the contribution students have made to their local community – while congratulating their academic achievements.

Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic the college has just enjoyed another successful set of Level 3 and GCSE results, with many students meeting or exceeding their target grades.

Principal Steve Kelly said he was full of admiration for the extra effort that students and staff had put in over a trying 12 months, and their sense of social responsibility.

Achievement in the face of adversity

He said: “This year has been extremely challenging for all students across the country, as well as for those who teach and support them.

“We are very proud of our students and over the past year they have not only completed their studies but helped in their local communities, as well as with their families. 

“I am pleased to say students at Keighley College have been able to gain their vocational qualifications and progress to university, further study or employment. Many have also decided to apply for apprenticeship opportunities in the region.

“The college is open for enquiries and we still have places for anyone wishing to enrol on our courses which start next month and include full-time vocational courses, T Levels, A levels and part-time study.

“We are here to help and would encourage anyone who has questions to contact us by calling 01535 685000, emailing enquiries@keighleycollege.ac.uk or visiting keighleycollege.ac.uk.”

Inspirational husband and wife team

There were many inspirational stories behind the grades achieved by Keighley College students, and especially adult learners, this year. 

Husband and wife Chris and Laura Smith both started at the college after initially being turned down for the Access to Higher Education – Health Science Professions course, as neither had the required GCSE grades for English or maths.

The Head of Service Professions, Kevin Burke, decided to take a chance and offered them each a place anyway. His belief in them was proved well founded as they both went on to work ‘tirelessly’ and pass the course, while also achieving Grade 5s in English and Maths.

Those achievements were all the more remarkable given the fact that Laura and Chris were both holding down a job while studying. They have now each been offered a place at Bradford University, where they will study Nursing.

Overcoming the challenges of dyslexia

Adult learner Katy Currell, meanwhile, has been struggling with the educational challenges of dyslexia for years.

Until recently trying to read longer pieces of text or to write represented a huge challenge to Katy. But that has now, thanks to ‘incredibly hard work’ on her part and specialist support from her English teacher, all changed.

Katy has just achieved a Grade 4 pass in her English Language GCSE, and her teachers also say  they have seen her self-confidence grow steadily as she has progressed.

How do I receive my results? 

Results day at Keighley College is fast approaching and we’d like to wish our students the best of luck with their grades. 

From week commencing 9 August, you will receive your results through your personal email address from 8.30am on the dates below. You can also drop into college on these dates to collect your results if you wish.

Level 3 results

• 10 August: 8.30am to 4.00pm

GCSEs and other levels

• 12 August: 9.00am to 4.00pm

However, if we don’t have your email address, your results will be posted to you.

Coming into college

You can also collect your results at college on the above time and dates. We’ve set up a gazebo at the back entrance of the college where you can pick up your results.

Not got the grades you were expecting?

If you haven’t received the results you were hoping for, there will be teachers and staff on hand to offer support on the day.

Questions?

If you have any questions about results day, please contact your tutor directly.

You can find out more about work experience, careers and industry placements on our Student Life intranet.

Google has now updated Hangouts, so you’ll need to access Google Chat instead, where your previous conversations should now be.

When Husen Ali moved to the UK in 2017 the then 16-year-old’s most pressing goal was to master English.

Now, following lots of hard work at first Keighley College and then Leeds Sixth Form College, Husen is half way through his A levels with his sights firmly fixed on pursuing a law degree at university.

He credits his tutors for giving him the skills and confidence to ‘dream bigger’ and gain the qualifications that have helped him decide on his future career – and says the value of lifelong learning can’t be overstated.

Broadening horizons

He said: “When I came to the UK around four years ago I could speak very little English, so to improve that I enrolled on an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course at Keighley College.

“The time that I spent there was unforgettable as I met fantastic people, the staff were always polite and always helped me when I needed it, and the students were very diligent and fun to be around.

“On top of that, I consider myself very lucky because without the teachers that I had I wouldn’t be where I am today: they guided me and encouraged me to always do my best.

“At first, I was going to choose the engineering route at Keighley College but then one of my teachers suggested I should do my GCSEs first, as that would allow me to expand my options and help me discover what I truly like.

“If it wasn’t for that comment I wouldn’t have enrolled at Leeds Sixth Form College and discovered my passion for law.

“So I am really grateful that I met such fantastic people at Keighley who always pushed me and encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone so I could improve myself.”

A chance to keep improving and growing

With his GCSEs successfully acquired Husen is now studying hard for the A levels he needs to secure an offer to study law at university.

His educational journey has been a challenging but very rewarding one, and he is keen to encourage others to find the courses that will help them follow their dreams – whatever their age.

He said: “I have just completed my first year of A levels and in September I’ll start my final year and then go to university.

“My first choice would be Durham University, which belongs to the Russell Group. Although the acceptance rate is 69.4%, which shows that getting into Durham can be a bit competitive, I am confident that I’m capable of meeting the requirements needed.”

Reflecting on the Festival of Learning and its celebration of lifelong learning, he added: “No matter how old you are, pursuing education is never too late as education is not bound by age.

“Lifelong learning will allow you to keep improving and grow as a person, also it will give you a sense of satisfaction as learning new things gives us a feeling of accomplishment.”

To find out more about courses at Keighley College visit keighleycollege.ac.uk/courses-apprenticeships.

A wide range of courses are available to study for free, through the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, for anyone aged over 19 who doesn’t currently hold a Level 3 (A level equivalent) qualification. For more details visit leedscitycollege.ac.uk/lifetime-skills.

For more information about the Festival of Learning here leedscitycollege.ac.uk/festival-of-learning.

Keighley College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has teamed up with partners across the Leeds City Region to host a series of free short courses for adults, as part of the national Festival of Learning.  

The group is working alongside local organisations and education providers to get adults in the region back into education, following the challenges of the pandemic. 

Now in its 29th year, the Festival of Learning (formerly Adult Learners’ Week) was launched to celebrate adult students and encourage others to participate in lifelong learning. 

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education at Leeds City Council, said: “Over recent years, although Leeds has continued to prioritise adult education, we’ve seen it become less of a priority across the country. A lack of confidence amongst adult learners due to the pandemic, paired with historic funding cuts and reduced support, has resulted in the lowest adult participation in a decade. This partnership aims to celebrate the important role learning can play in adult lives and encourage them back into education.

“Skills are very high on the agenda for business recovery and growth post-pandemic. The partnership reflects that adult learning is available at all levels and stages of life; whether that’s starting from scratch with a new skill, brushing up and updating knowledge or taking it to an advanced level.”

As part of the Festival of Learning, adults will be encouraged to develop skills, enhance their employability and improve wellbeing through a range of taster sessions, residential days, virtual seminars and open days.

Yultan Mellor, Principal and Chief Executive at Northern College, added: “The festival is a superb opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on the different expressions of adult learning across the region, including community, college, home and residential settings. Our collaborative activities aim to showcase the benefits of adult education, including flexibility, financial support, personalised experiences and positive wellbeing outcomes.”

Set to launch in July, the Festival of Learning activities will kickstart with a Returning to Education: Support for Adult Learners webinar at University Centre Leeds on 20 July. Additional upcoming events include Five Ways to Wellbeing course at Northern College on 22 July.

Ann-Marie Spry, Vice Principal of Adults at Luminate Education Group, commented: “Adult education is central to the rebuilding of our economy in a post-Covid environment. Therefore, we are working with key stakeholders in the area to demonstrate how lifelong learning can better equip learners to adapt to unexpected change and enhance their skills, in order to suit the ever-changing job market.

“This partnership brings together experts across the region to identify how we can work together to achieve shared objectives to raise the profile of this vital agenda. Drawing expertise and insight from our partners helps us to understand the current climate, allowing us to overcome barriers to learning and champion adult education.”

In the next academic year, the partnership will be encouraging learners to take part in ‘Have a Go’ activities, providing adults with the opportunity to try different courses and discover their passion. Rebuilding relationships with the community will also be a key focus for partnership activities, including taster sessions in local community centres.

The group, including Leeds City College, Keighley College, Harrogate College, White Rose Academies Trust and University Centre Leeds, is working with partners including West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, University of Leeds, The Prince’s Trust and Northern College, to deliver shared adult learning objectives.

Find out more about the Festival of Learning partnership by following the hashtag #FoLpartners on social media and discover our upcoming events here.

An inaugural Awards Night has celebrated ‘the resilience and focus of the whole higher education learning community’ at Keighley College.

More than 80 students have now completed Foundation Degrees at the college since it introduced the HE provision, through its University Centre, in 2018.

Some 40 students and their families took part in the HE Awards Night – an online event that was hosted by Keighley College’s Higher Learning team.

As well as noting each student’s commitment to their studies, the awards also celebrated their ability to cope with the many extra challenges that were thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special achievements during extraordinary times

Head of Service Professions at the college, Kevin Burke, said: “This is our third year of running foundation degrees but, due to the COVID-19 lockdown last year, this is the first one where we are able to celebrate the achievement of our learners.

“This has been even more important to us because of how committed our learners have been to continue studying during these extraordinary times – we wanted to celebrate this.

“All of our learners come with their own story. From continuing learning from post-16 to returning to learning for adults, the whole HE community at Keighley College has shown how resilient and supportive they are of each other, especially through this pandemic.

“Like the whole country, our learners have battled lockdowns, been part of bubbles closing down and home-tutored their own children while managing their family lives – but they have continued right to the end!

“The focus that they have maintained and the consistent drive to get to their destination makes their achievements that bit more special.”

Meeting the community’s needs

“These learners are the second cohort to complete their two year studies in both Health and Wellbeing and Supporting Teaching and Learning degrees at Keighley.

“We wanted to celebrate each learner’s uniqueness and this was achieved by having Silly-But-Sensible, Personal and Purposeful awards where staff told achievement stories about each learner’s growth and development.

“The knowledge of our students is essential for us to understand how they learn best and what we need to do in lectures to really drive their individual achievement and learner identity.

“Since we started HE at Keighley we have supported over 80 students with higher education opportunities and, as we establish higher learning in the town, more degrees will be developed in response to what our community want.”

Foundation degree benefits

Many of the college’s HE students decide to continue their studies for an extra year to top up their qualification and attain a full BA (Hons) – and secure places at local universities or other higher education institutions.

Mr Burke added: “The great thing about starting on the Foundation degree route, which takes two years, is that you can top it up and end up with an Hons degree after an additional year.

“Some of our learners also go into work: as apprentice teachers, health care supervisors, cover supervisors, learning mentors, Special Educational Needs co-ordinators, or lead carers.”

The University Centre at Keighley College will launch a new foundation degree, in Policing, this September. For more details about higher education courses at Keighley College visit https://keighleycollege.ac.uk/higher-education-at-keighley-college/, call (01535) 685000 or email: enquiries@keighleycollege.ac.uk.

As Keighley College prepares to host a Staff Careers and Recruitment Day, we hear from team members about the rewards and challenges of their jobs.

Reece Simpson’s work at Keighley College is quite literally helping to lay the foundations for a brighter economic future for the district and its people.

Reece teaches bricklaying, a role he landed after working as a ‘brickie’ himself for some years and then spotting an apprenticeship opportunity at the college.

He has now been teaching full-time for a year and a half and is enjoying sharing his knowledge to help his students achieve their full potential.

A chance to shine

He said: “This was a good opportunity for me as bricklaying was beginning to get the better of me physically and teaching was always a career I wanted to pursue.

“I started at Keighley College as an apprentice teacher which included studying the level 5 in education and training whilst working as a Construction teacher, this allowed me to learn the various teaching methods whilst also gaining classroom experience.

“Upon completing the level 5 training I was offered a full time teaching contract, which I have been doing for the past 18 months.”

A sense of accomplishment – and overcoming challenges

“The most rewarding aspect of the job role as a bricklaying teacher is seeing the students’ progression throughout the course, from learning to spread mortar to building decorative walls to a high standard.

“The pandemic has caused various challenges due to bricklaying being a mainly practical course.

“It meant learning had to go online and this was difficult at first, but learners responded well and made the most of it. This resulted in the minimum disruption possible.”

Career and training opportunities at Keighley College

The college, which will play a vital role in helping the local area recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, offers all kinds of opportunities to anyone interested in a career in education, training and skills.

There are positions currently available across a number of fields including: teaching, learning support, technical, students support, leadership, administration, training and facilities.

More details can be found by booking a virtual slot on our Staff Careers and Recruitment Day, which Reece is encouraging anybody who is considering a career switch to take part in.

He said: “The advice I would give to anyway wanting to pursue a career in education is to not wait and go for it.”

To find out more about visit keighleycollege.ac.uk , call 01535 68500 or email enquiries@keighleycollege.ac.uk.

Jobseekers invited to pursue an exciting career – and help shape the workforce of tomorrow – at Keighley College

Keighley College is aiming to add to its large and committed team by staging its first ever Staff Careers and Recruitment Day.

The virtual event, featuring a live link to the campus, runs from 12 noon to 7pm on Tuesday 6 July and will be an opportunity for visitors to find out about the range of exciting job opportunities that are available as well as training opportunities for those that want to work in education, training and skills. 

The college, one of the area’s largest employers, has been growing and is now poised for further expansion thanks to a recently announced £33.6 million Towns Fund award for Keighley. Part of that funding will be used to create a new Skills Hub and a centre for manufacturing, engineering and future technology: both of which will be sponsored by Keighley College.

Those who take part in the college’s Staff Careers and Recruitment Day will be able upload their CVs, talk to members of staff and learn how they can come and be part of a fantastic staff team. The college is also keen to hear from individuals who are considering a career in education, skills and training – especially those with industry experience. 

Principal Steve Kelly said: “This is a particularly exciting time for Keighley College, and we are keen to recruit new and committed team members to join us on our journey as we continue to grow.

“This recruitment day is a great chance to find out more about the outstanding work we do here, register an interest and get involved.

“The college is at the heart of the community and has a key role to play, thanks to our skills provision and exceptional industry links to agencies like Skills House, JobCentre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions. 

“Our work – and that of other organisations across our district – is driving the skills agenda and helping the economic and social regeneration of the town and region.

“Keighley as a location has a lot to offer including its proximity to beautiful countryside, Bronte Country, Cliffe Castle and the famous Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

“I look forward to welcoming lots of potential new employees on Tuesday 6 July, giving them a virtual tour of our cutting-edge facilities, and hearing from them about how they can contribute to our continuing success story.”

Virtual slots for Keighley College Staff Careers and Recruitment Day are available at 12 noon, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm.

For more details and to book a place visit keighleycollege.ac.uk .

The college currently has positions available in a number of fields including teaching, learning support, technical, students support, leadership, administration, training and facilities.

To find out more about job opportunities at Keighley College visit https://keighleycollege.ac.uk/college-campus-information/jobs-career-opportunities, call 01535 68500 or email enquiries@keighleycollege.ac.uk.

Refugee Week is a UK festival that celebrates the resilience and contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. It is a week-long celebration which centers around World Refugee Day on 20 June. 

Refugee Week was established in 1988 to help challenge the xenophobia and hostility refugees faced from society and the media. It is now a national initiative that works towards combating the negative stigma, educating communities about the valuable contributions of refugees and giving them a safe place to live. 

The annual celebration acts as a powerful platform for those to share their experiences and the challenges they face when seeking asylum. The week aims to create a safe place where communities can develop a better understanding of the issues that refugees face. It also offers an opportunity for people to be seen, listened to, and valued in their community.

Inclusivity is at the heart of the event, accompanied by activities and exhibitions which strive to bring everyone together to raise awareness of the history and challenges that refugees can face in their everyday lives. 

We Cannot Walk Alone

This year, the theme for Refugee Week is ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’. 

This theme stems from a speech delivered by Martin Luther King during the American Civil Rights Movement. However, the words still resonate with us today and relate to all aspects of our lives. 

The theme encourages us to walk side-by-side with each other by reaching out to someone new. It inspires us to connect with new people and learn something valuable from each other. 

Why not take part in Refugee Week Simple Acts inspired by this year’s theme? These are simple acts that we can incorporate into our everyday life to stand with refugees and make new, valuable connections. 

Events

Here are some ways you can get involved.

Whose Land? By Meduula

Meduulla, a Zimbabwean-born artist, poet and rapper uses her voice to raise awareness of the consequences of conflict with migration. This is an online event held on the 14 June. 

Guardian at 200: Humanitarian issues and the power of the media

The John Rylands Research Institute and Library holds the entire archive of the Manchester Guardian. This panel of special guests and experts will discuss items from the archive and how it could impact our future.

Home, Street, City: Finding Sanctuary in Wakefield

From 26 May to 19 June, this exhibition celebrates artwork made by people in Wakefield during the pandemic, exploring experiences and memories of their homes.

Across the college there will be a creative competition around the themes of sanctuary in which students can participate in. Take a look at the competition poster for more information. 

Keighley Support Services 

If you’d like to get support, there are many local services available. 

Keighley Place of Sanctuary 

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Group, Wednesdays at 12:30pm -1:30pm.

The Good Shepherd Centre 

A welcome to asylum seekers and refugees offering them a place of safety.

Twelve Public Services students have been making a difference in the community by taking part in the One Hour Tidy project.

As part of the Kinder Colleges initiative, students are encouraged to become more active within the community and be kinder to the planet. 

The students worked alongside Keighley Big Local’s Shaun O’Hare, a council community warden and a local environmentalist to collect litter from around the college and along Dalton Lane.

Set up by Keighley College tutor, Mark Hargreaves, in collaboration with the Keighley Big Local, the project is a contribution to the national programme, the Great British Spring Clean.

As a result of the project, the students collected 16 refuse bags of litter, an old tyre and a fire extinguisher.

Mark organised the project in a bid to raise awareness of environmental issues amongst students.

“As aspiring public servants, our students can learn a great amount from working with members of the community. Projects like these give our students vital real-life teamwork and communication experience, which will also help them to complete their qualifications. 

“Keighley College strives to be a positive force for change within the community, therefore we have a duty to the environment and showcasing the importance of this to students. The feedback from the students was fantastic – they all really enjoyed the activity and learnt valuable communication skills.”

The college is planning many upcoming community projects, including planning a walking route for the Worth Valley Walking Festival, which is designed to raise environmental, physical and mental health awareness in the area.

“We will also be involved in some tree planning with the Environment Agency as part of the biomimetic flood reduction initiatives in the Aire Valley.”

Take a look at the Public Services courses here.