Shipley College

Thanks to Earl Russell, member of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC), for coming in to speak to our students last week! You all know we’re big on sustainability and we’re proud to be one of only six schools and colleges in the UK selected to work with the committee. Earl Russell was given a tour of our facilities and projects, and heard from students about the environment and climate change issues they are passionate about. He also talked to them about the work of the committee and the wider role the House of Lords has in the passing of laws and holding the government to account. Esther, one of our Skills Coaches, was a key part in us being successful in being able to join the House of Lords Youth Engagement Programme: “Earl Russell's visit was a truly inspiring day for our students! Students didn’t hold back in asking tough questions on environmental policies, renewable energy, and youth involvement in politics. Earl Russell shared some really detailed answers, and reminded everyone how important it is to think critically and fact-check what we hear from politicians. This was such a unique chance for our students to be heard by a member of Parliament—and we are all very excited for the next opportunity to connect with the House of Lords Committee.” Read more about the visit: https://2ly.link/20faE #saltaire #shipleycollege #houseoflords #eccc #environment

Staff had a great time at our Staff Wellbeing Screen Printing session last week! Thanks to Kat for leading the session! #ShipleyCollege #StaffWellbeing #ScreenPrinting

On results day this year we posted about Beth, one of our superstar T Level students, getting a Distinction in her course. She told us she was going on to Manchester Met University to study Primary Education with QTS. She's now a couple months into her course and came back to visit us: ‘I absolutely love my uni course! The T Level really helped prepare me for it, what I am now learning in lectures I had already been taught about in college. The placement I went on as part of my T Level has given me a deeper understanding of the theory I am being taught. Doing the industry placement alongside college means you can transfer the skills you’re learning in both. I have been recommending the T Level to everyone! My goal is to be a primary school teacher but I would also love to come back as an FE lecturer and teach the T Level in college!’ Steph, Beth’s T Level tutor - ‘ I am incredibly proud of where Beth has got to, no one is more perfect to inspire the lives of young learners. She's got a very promising future ahead and we’d love to have her back to teach the T Level!’ #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire #TLevel

Shipley College hosted a Strategic Planning Day on Wednesday involving staff, alumni students and employer presentations and discussions. Michelle Burton, Head of Employment and Skills at West Yorkshire Combined Authority spoke about strengthening a forward looking, flexible and sustainable education and training system that works for all Matt Findull, the Lead Officer for Education & Skills at Bradford Council spoke about the opportunities and challenges of our region, and the opportunities for 2025. Cath Sezen, Director of Education Policy at the AOC discussed the challenges of qualification reform, and how T Level delivery can be improved so as many people as possible can enrol and succeed. Diana Bird hosted a panel discussion with Faye Alexander Head of Education, Bradford Teaching Hospital, Rachel Hatfield BA (Hons), MSc, MBA, Marketing Consultant from Shoo Media and a representative from Bradford Employment and Skills Board, about what employers want and need and how this may change over the next 5-10 years. Briony M., our Director of Quality and Innovation spoke about supporting our community. Leon Oakley and Sacha Jones from ACS talked about the importance of supporting staff within the workplace. John McMahon Director of Skills, Volunteering and Wellbeing, Bradford 2025 spoke about the opportunities for Bradford 2025 and its legacy. All these fantastic contributions will support the development of our new strategic plan, thank you to everyone involved. #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire #StrategicPlanningDay

Shipley College are looking to recruit co-opted governors within audit and remuneration, we need people who have experience in audit, people management, risk management. For more information please contact Danielle Carter, Director of Governance, at dcarter@shipley.ac.uk #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire

We are working towards our Bronze Award for the Bumblebee-Friendly Schools Award! The scheme encourages positive actions that will make educational establishments a better place for bumblebees and other wild pollinators. Some of our Foundation Learning students learnt about the importance of bees and what they can do to help at college and at home - students completed word searches, bumblebee activities and we're given badges to show that they are the "Bee Heroes" of Shipley College. #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire

Last week as part of their GCSE English class some of our students went on a trip to the graveyard to help inspire their creative writing! Marianne, who was shortlisted for the National FE Lecturer of the Year award, said ‘it is easier to imagine something when you’ve been to it, and much deeper learning comes when you actually experience something’. We’re sure your creative writing pieces will be great! #shipleycollege #saltaire #gcseenglish #creativewriting

Well done to our Foundation Learning students who took part in our MacMillan coffee morning on Friday! After spending lunchtime on the stall they came round to all of our offices to give us another opportunity to get some delicious treats! #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire #MacMillanCoffeeMorning

Saltaire looking picturesque this morning! #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire

We're so pleased to have been highly commended in the Creating Impact category at the International Green Gown Awards 2024! We started our “green journey” back in the 1990s, however, we wanted to make 2023 the year of the SDGs so we have been leading on an SDG training project with the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges. Throughout the year we provided technical guidance and mentorship to other colleges around the West Yorkshire Region. Seven colleges participated in the project and a small selection of SDG champions undertook an SDG training session, facilitated by us. The SDG champions then had the knowledge and understanding to cascade the training to other staff and students in their colleges! What the Judges Thought: 'A great initiative with significant potential. A fine idea in catching them young, using students and preparing them for the future. Good to embed SDGs in the society. Great to see a cascading approach. Can be replicated easily'. Congratulations and well done to Natasha our fab Sustainability and Facilities Coordinator for all her hard work! #ShipleyCollege #Saltaire #SDGs #GreenGownAwards