Budding games designers from Keighley College have been getting top tips from some of the giants of the industry.

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma Games Design and Development students got the chance to talk to leading figures in the sector when they visited the Yorkshire Games Festival in February.

The week-long event, held at Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum, is an annual extravaganza that celebrates games culture, design and production.

The festival also includes Game Talks days, featuring workshops, masterclasses and special guests, which are designed to boost the employability prospects and knowledge of aspiring designers.

Representatives from two of the UK’s biggest developers – Rocksteady, the team behind the Arkham series of Batman games, and Team 17, creators of Worms – were among the speakers.

An inspiring day out

Keighley College Games Design lecturer Adil Hussain said: “We had a very good turnout, with 17 of our students going along. They heard talks from the guest speakers that covered all aspects of the game design industry.

“The learners had an amazing time listening to professionals giving them tips on the design and development of computer games, and inspiring them about their future careers.”

Women in Games Ambassador, Bex Betton, also spoke to the students  about work experience opportunities in the industry, and the pros and cons of taking unpaid roles.

Adil added: “Some students had never been to the National Science and Media Museum before, so they also enjoyed the chance to explore as there were a lot of interactive areas, including an arcade with retro games.

“This trip was a positive experience for them which was great both educationally and for their mental wellbeing.”

Keighley College students have been snapping up the chance to enjoy a fully funded work experience adventure in the United States.

We have teamed up with Camp America to secure dozens of camp placements, for students aged 18 or over, in the States this summer.

More than 40 students have now signed up but more places are still available for anyone who applies by 17 April.

The experience is designed to hone students’ employability skills while giving them a chance to enjoy a different country and meet new friends.

All travel, accommodation and living costs will be covered on the trip via £5,000 of student funding from the Turing Scheme.

To find out more click here. A snapshot of what life on a Camp America placement is like, meanwhile, can be found here.

Although returning to education as an adult can seem like a daunting prospect, there are endless amounts of benefits to sharpening up your study skills beyond the age of 19.

We spoke with adult learner, Sahresh Akhter, who studies GCSE English and Maths at Keighley College, to discover the top reasons to study as an adult.

Meeting new people

“Before returning to learning, I was stuck at home and suffered from severe depression. I was keen to go out in different settings and meet new people. I’ve met so many fantastic teachers and peers through college, who have really supported my personal growth.”

Inspiring staff

“The teaching and non-teaching staff are an inspiration to me. Most of them are female, who are all empowering, hard working and supportive.

“I received fantastic support from the college’s community employment coach, Betts Fetherston, who worked with me to find the right university course and apply for it.”

Flexibility

“Achieving a work-life balance can be achievable as an adult learner. I have a son, and due to the flexibility of my course, I can work my studies around him.”

Personal growth

“After starting my course, I noticed how much confidence I had gained. My self-esteem improved and I learnt how to manage my time effectively.”

Increased opportunities 

“Gaining qualifications as an adult opens up many exciting job prospects. I’m incredibly proud to have been offered a fully-funded scholarship to study Advanced Practice in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution at the University of Bradford.

“In the future, I’d love to work for the United Nations on women’s rights in developing countries and promoting higher education for women.”

Find out more about adult courses at Keighley College here.

Across the globe, millions of refugees have fled their countries as a result of war, violence, conflict and persecution. 

According to the UN Refugee Agency, 84 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. 4.4 million of these people are asylum seekers, and 26.6 million are refugees. 

Statistics show that as of mid-2021 within the UK, there were 135,912 refugees, 83,489 pending asylum cases and 3,968 stateless people. 

These staggering statistics demonstrate the large proportion of refugees and asylum seekers who have fled to the UK, and often face many challenges as they try to rebuild their lives. 

How can we help?

There are many ways in which we can make a difference to refugees living in the UK. 

The best way to show your support is by getting involved with organisations who provide advice and help to those who need it. 

Here is a list of the top five local, regional and national charities and organisations that you can support.

1.  The Good Shepherd Centre 

The Good Shepherd Centre in Keighley supports and welcomes asylum seekers and refugees by offering them a place of safety. They offer a range of services from English lessons, health advice and practical assistance with clothes and furniture. 

There are a number of ways you can support The Good Shepherd Centre either by donating here, joining their team of volunteers or fundraising. If you would like to do something different, there are other ways to give here.

2.  CRSN (Craven Refugee Support Network)

Craven Refugee Support Network is a collection of groups around Yorkshire that aim to support refugees by raising money and awareness about refugee issues and providing financial support to refugee organisations. 

Take a look at ways you can support here. 

3. Solace

Solace offers psychotherapy to refugees and asylum seekers across Yorkshire and the Humber. Specialising in trauma and persecution, its practitioners provide talking therapy to individuals, families and children.

Solace has options to either leave a gift in your will, set up regular donations or submit a one-off donation.

4. British Red Cross

The UK’s largest provider of services for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. The organisation is dedicated to ensuring people find safe and legal routes to new countries and provide essential aid.

Show your kindness by discovering local volunteering opportunities or gaining work experience.

5. Safe Passage 

Safe Passage is a charity that works across Europe, particularly in the UK, to ensure unaccompanied refugee children, who are often at risk of trafficking and abuse, find safety and security after arriving in the UK. They have helped nearly 2,000 children to date. 

You can donate here.

Keighley College unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the terrible suffering and loss of life it is causing.

We stand in solidarity with all of the Ukrainians who are enduring this war, including the millions who have been forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in other countries.

As an education provider, we cherish the values of diversity, inclusion and tolerance that are at the heart of democratic societies which respect the dignity of the individual and freedom of thought and expression. Indeed, tolerance and respecting others are part of the college’s core principles.

It is such values that authoritarianism and its consequences, of which this unprovoked invasion is a shockingly stark example, seeks to destroy. 

We are also painfully aware that this crisis is far from an isolated event. Instead, it is the latest – and from our European perspective, due to its proximity and severity, most shocking – example of a wider and ongoing pattern of conflict that has created refugees around the world. 

Whenever such crises arise it is vital that we respond with compassion and conviction, while continuing to uphold and defend our values.

And so it is now when we realise that many parts of the college, and wider, community are being affected by the events in Ukraine and will need our support. That includes our Russian students, many of whom will be opposed to the war, and all of whom – of course – have a right to feel respected and safe.

In terms of what we are doing specifically, the college:

• Is providing information and advice resources, including details on how to support refugees, via its Student Information Hub.
• Has held a collection of toiletries and clothes to donate to the Good Shepherd Centre, which has been taking lorry-loads of supplies to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Many of our joinery, public services, adult and community and ESOL students have also been helping practically by sorting and packing items at the centre.
• Our students’ union has started a campaign, Us Against War, and is organising a number of fundraising activities to help UNICEF support victims of the invasion.

Keighley College has partnered with Screen Yorkshire to deliver an industry-led course for film and TV for the second year. 

Screen Yorkshire will be delivering six new specialist craft *courses in Lighting, Hair & Makeup, Costume, Production Assistant (scripted), Art Direction & Props and My First Factual TV Job.

As part of this partnership, students will be able to study the CoSE:Y: UK Film & TV Craft Certificate Costume at Keighley College. There will be two ‘boot camps’ exploring the world of film and TV, which enables students to get a taste of freelance life and the roles within a film and TV department. 

Costume for Film and Television at Keighley College

The British Film Institute (BFI), ScreenSkills and many UK-based productions have identified a huge demand across the UK for costume department crew in the film and television industries. This hands-on course will start in April 2022 and run through to August, giving trainees the opportunity to receive basic and advanced costume training, as well as specific rigours of working within the film and television industry. 

Students will be taught by industry professionals and textile teachers, to develop a range of technical and interpersonal skills including building work relationships, preparing work stations, and managing wardrobes and supplies.

The five-month course is excellent for students looking for a pathway into film and television. Organisations are actively trying to address underrepresentation within the screen industries by encouraging anyone of any background to apply.

Discover more of our courses here.

Image credit: Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire – Costume Course / Lisa Stonehouse

*The courses are delivered as part of  Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, delivered by Screen Yorkshire, supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

Students studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Public Services and Joinery, have provided their support for Ukraine refugees at a local community hub, The Good Shepherd Centre.

The centre has been working hard to collect items which are urgently needed for refugees, who are seeking asylum in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

The learners have been helping to sort out the donations, including toiletries, first aid items, activity packs and sleeping equipment. These items will be transported to churches and other charities on the Polish border. 

The important work being done at The Good Shepherd Centre appeared on ITV Calendar News, where the learners spoke about the necessity of supporting those less fortunate than us.

Find out how you can help the centre here or by contacting them on 07756409246 or tgsc.keighley@gmail.com. 

Keighley College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has joined forces with local rugby league team, Keighley Cougars, to give young people an introduction to life as a professional rugby league player.

The partnership will see the college supporting Keighley Cougars’ innovative new Elite Talent Pathway; a performance programme aimed at young males aged 11 to 16. They will get the chance to train in an environment with professional support, learning and improving skills which they can take back to their local community clubs. The programme will aim to operate three development squads being U/12’s, U/14’s and U/16’s. Each team will get the opportunity to play matches against other teams from professional clubs.

Focused on supporting the development of young players and creating a performance pathway, the programme enables members of the community to gain access to professional rugby league coaching encompassing skills assessments, progress reports and education based on nutrition and lifestyle choices. 

Claire Fitzgerald, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Growth at Keighley College, said: “We pride ourselves on being a community-led college, so partnering with a historically renowned club which inspires many local young people is a phenomenal opportunity. We’ll be working collaboratively on community projects, while proudly sponsoring the playing and training kits.

“Keighley is a town bursting with talented young individuals, and we’re determined to help fuel their ambitions to become skilled rugby players. In the coming years, we hope to work closely with Keighley Cougars in setting up a development academy, whereby young people aged 16 to 19 years old can develop their rugby skills.”

Andrew Henderson, Head of Rugby at Keighley Cougars, added: “Keighley College shares our vision for providing better opportunities for young people in Keighley, which is why we’re thrilled to have them on board as our major sponsor. We hope to not only support players in their journey to becoming professional players, but also provide them with the best educational opportunities alongside this which can be offered at the college.

“We’re determined to inspire the wider community through this initiative, as our players will take a wealth of knowledge and performance skills back to their local teams. Next year, our goal is to extend our programme to girls in the area.”

The programme will be launching officially in Spring 2022.

Keighley College students have been finding out about the support that they can access after completing their studies.

The college invited a range of guest organisations to take part in its Moving On event on Wednesday 2 March.

The day was organised to let Foundation Studies students in particular, along with their parents and carers, talk to the visiting groups about the kinds of assistance that will be available as they progress.

SEND Coordinator at Keighley College, Jeanie Forster, said: “This was all about helping the students find out about the support that they can access once they have finished their time at college.

“It was also a great chance for them to build contacts while seeing what organisations are out there.

“We had the guests set up tables with resources and information and then our students popped in to have refreshments, grab a goody bag and chat to each organisation about what they could offer.

“We have had some very positive feedback from both the participating guests and students about how useful this event was.”

The participating organisations were: School of Rock and Media, AWARE, Hft Bradford, Mencap, People First Keighley and Craven, Mind The Gap, Down Syndrome Training and Support Service Ltd, Focus Autism, Preparing for Adulthood, and Specialist Autism Services (SAS).

Foundation Studies at Keighley College are suited to anyone with disabilities, learning difficulties, or difficulty managing emotions and behaviour.

More information about our Foundation Studies courses can be found here