Home

Students and staff from Gower College Swansea have celebrated another fantastic year of academic and vocational excellence.

At the Annual Student Awards event at Swansea.com Stadium, hosting duties were overseen by Mal Pope, the Welsh BAFTA-winning singer-songwriter, broadcaster and producer whose career spans music, theatre, film and television. 

Learners from a range of full and part time courses, apprenticeships, higher education pathways and access programmes picked up awards.

The event was a practical showcase for staff and student skills with the set, lighting and sound provided by the Level 3 Theatre and Live Events Production team.

Talented first and second year students from the UAL Level 3 Performing Arts course performed Day by Day from their recent successful production of Godspell.

The College was also delighted to welcome back former student Katherine Foxall, who has recently completed her third year at the Royal Northern College of Music. Katherine wowed the audience with her rendition of I Could Have Danced All Night.

The College’s fantastic Floristry students, studying at the Llwyn y Bryn campus, made the beautiful table centrepieces.

Guest speaker for the evening was former Gower College Swansea student Lauren Evans who spoke about the incredible career journey that has taken her from working class South Wales to the very heart of the entertainment industry.

Lauren is a highly acclaimed, UK-based casting director who recently won a BAFTA for Best Casting for her work on the film I Swear. She established herself as a casting director in 2018 and has since built an impressive portfolio across television, film, theatre, and audio.

“Gower College Swansea has always enjoyed one of the highest quality profiles of any education institution, not just in Wales but across the UK,” says Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Fountain. “All of this has been achieved as a result of the outstanding commitment and dedication of both our students and our staff, and tonight is an occasion when we get to celebrate their success and pay tribute to the best of the best.”

“This evening is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our learners and to recognise everyone who has played a part in their success,” said Principal, Paul Kift. “To all those receiving awards tonight, congratulations on your achievements. You should be immensely proud – as we are of you. Thank you also for being such positive role models, inspiring other learners to believe in themselves and to pursue their ambitions.”

The 2026 award winners in full:

Adult Basic Education/ESOL Student of the Year –  Oleksandr Pantiukhov
Bernie Wilkes Award – Hair, Beauty and Holistic Student of the Year – Eleanor Ball
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Student of the Year – Cai Groom
Independent Living Skills Student of the Year – Eva Robins
Sport and Public Services Student of the Year – Abdulghani Kaytouh
Visual Arts Student of the Year – Charlie Chandler
Business Student of the Year – Evan Pedrick
Creative Arts Student of the Year – Lucca Smith
Humanities and Languages Student of the Year – Rowan Fielding
Maths, Science and Social Science Student of the Year – Jamie Fifield
Engineering Student of the Year – Matilda Topliss
Health, Social Care and Childcare Student of the Year – Kacey Felton
Built Environment Student of the Year – Ashton Williams
Apprentice of the Year – Natalie Phillips
Outstanding Sports Achievement of the Year – Sam Morgan
Employer Partner of the Year – Microsoft
Elaine McCallion Award – GCS Training Student of the Year – Michelle James
International Student of the Year – Nisha Wattananavin
Access Student of the Year – Jennifer Jones
Holly Donohoe Award – HE Student of the Year – David Southam
Welsh Language Student of the Year – Elis Fowler-Brew
Progression and Commitment Student of the Year – Ella Davies
Skills Student of the Year – Ruhan Ahmed

Inspirational Student of the Year – Jamie Fifield

A big thank you to all our 2026 sponsors:

Asbri Planning
AtkinsRéalis 
Bardic Construction
Blake Morgan
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
Kelly Fountain
Get Yourself Noticed
Greenwood Projects
Hengoed Care
Kier Group
Paul Kift
Knox and Wells
MPS Furniture
reThink PR and Marketing
RW Learning
Secret Hospitality Group
South Wales Transport
Swansea Council
Swansea University
The Cusp
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
WalesOnline
Waters Creative

The Fashion Team at East Riding College’s Beverley campus, part of the TEC Partnership, has been named a Silver Winner in the Further Education Team of the Year category at the 2026 Pearson National Teaching Awards. 

The national award recognises the outstanding work of the college’s Fashion Team, whose innovative teaching, industry connections and unwavering commitment to student success have helped transform the confidence, skills and aspirations of learners across the region. 

The team, made up of Sarah Rands, Lyndsey Kemp, and Amanda Harvey, was recognised for creating an inspiring learning environment where students are encouraged to develop both their creative talents and professional skills. Through a combination of industry-focused projects, real-world experiences and personalised support, the team has helped students progress to higher education, employment and successful careers within the creative industries. 

Their success comes shortly after students and staff played a central role in Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week, showcasing the talent, creativity and ambition of the next generation of fashion professionals. Through their involvement, students gained valuable experience working alongside industry professionals and participating in one of the region’s most exciting celebrations of fashion and creativity. 

Nicola Adams, Interim Campus Principal at East Riding College, said: 

“This national recognition is a testament to the passion, creativity and dedication of our Fashion Team. Sarah, Lyndsey and Amanda consistently go above and beyond to create opportunities for students, helping them develop the confidence, skills and industry experience needed to succeed. We are incredibly proud to see their hard work recognised on a national stage. 

“Fashion and the wider creative industries play an important role in our region’s future, and our team works tirelessly to ensure students can see a clear pathway from education into exciting and rewarding careers. This award is thoroughly deserved.” 

The achievement is part of a wider success story for the TEC Partnership in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. 

Jaqui Graham, of East Riding College, Hull campus, was awarded Bronze in the Lifetime Achievement category, while Emma Wray (East Riding College), Emma Stephens (Grimsby Institute), James Thundercliffe (Grimsby Institute) and Amanda Harvey (East Riding College) all received Highly Commended recognition. 

These awards celebrate the exceptional educators who go above and beyond to support learners, inspire ambition and help students achieve their goals. 

Ann Hardy, CEO of the TEC Partnership, said: 

“We are incredibly proud of all our colleagues who have been recognised through this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. 

“To have a national Silver Award winner, a Bronze Award winner, and four Highly Commended recipients across our TEC Partnership colleges is a fantastic achievement and reflects the exceptional talent, commitment and professionalism of our staff. 

“Every day, they make a real difference to the lives of students, helping them to build confidence, develop skills and achieve ambitions they may never have thought possible. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom, and it is wonderful to see that recognised nationally.” 

The Pearson National Teaching Awards celebrate excellence in education across the UK and recognise the individuals and teams making a lasting difference to the lives of learners. 

Buckinghamshire College Group is delighted to announce that Nicola Ellis, Assistant Principal for Student Support & Engagement, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her exceptional services to Further Education. 

With a career spanning over 25 years, Nicky has dedicated her life to supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, ensuring that all young people have access to the skills and opportunities needed for both personal and professional success. 

Beginning her journey as a lecturer working with vulnerable learners, including in prison education, Nicky has consistently championed student welfare and inclusion. Now serving as Assistant Principal, she continues to lead with passion, transforming student engagement, outcomes and wellbeing across the College. 

A key part of Nicky’s impact has been her work in reshaping the curriculum for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Her forward-thinking approach, praised by Ofsted, has strengthened progression opportunities and prepared students to take their place in society with confidence. One standout example is the Inclusive Practice student-run café, where learners achieve a five-star hygiene rating, while developing valuable, transferable skills in a real-world setting. 

Nicky’s commitment to safeguarding and student welfare extends far beyond her formal role. She is a trusted and respected figure within the community, known for her compassion, integrity and unwavering dedication to young people. 

Beyond her work at the College, Nicky has made a profound difference in the wider community. She has volunteered extensively in prisons, offering education, guidance and hope to those seeking a second chance. She has also supported homeless shelters, providing care and opportunities to those experiencing hardship. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she led initiatives to prepare and distribute food parcels to ensure vulnerable individuals and families received a meal on Christmas Day. 

What makes Nicky’s achievements even more remarkable is the adversity she has overcome personally. Having lived experiences similar to some of our students, including childhood trauma and neurodiversity, she has channelled these into a powerful force for good. Through her authenticity, empathy and ability to connect with and inspire learners, Nicky has a powerful impact, helping to break cycles of disadvantage and open doors to brighter futures. 

Reflecting on the honour, Nicky Ellis said: 

“I’m truly humbled and overwhelmed to receive an MBE. Further education is incredibly important to me; I grew up in the same community as many of our students, went to the same schools, and attended Aylesbury College, which changed my life. I firmly believe that with the right support and someone who truly believes in you, as we do at Buckinghamshire College Group, anything is possible. If I can do it, you can do it.” 

Jenny Craig, Principal and CEO of Buckinghamshire College Group, said: 

“We are absolutely delighted that Nicky has been recognised with an MBE, and we offer her our huge congratulations on this incredibly well-deserved achievement. Nicky embodies everything we stand for as a college: compassion, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education. Her work has had a profound and lasting impact on our students, particularly those who need the greatest support, and she inspires colleagues across the organisation every day. This recognition is not only a celebration of Nicky’s extraordinary contribution, but also a powerful reflection of the values and dedication that define Buckinghamshire College Group.” 

Nicky’s honour is not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for Buckinghamshire College Group. It reflects the college’s unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusion and student success at every level. Her leadership embodies the values that underpin the organisation’s approach to education, placing student wellbeing, ambition and opportunity at its heart. This recognition further strengthens the College’s reputation as a place where dedicated staff go above and beyond to transform lives, and where every learner is supported to achieve their full potential, regardless of their starting point.

Selby College Engineering Tutors have recently returned from an intensive three-day technical training programme at GUNT in Hamburg, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of engineering training systems.

The visit focused on cutting-edge developments in carbon capture, hydrogen technologies and modern sustainable engineering practices – areas that are rapidly shaping the future of the sector.

Taking place at GUNT’s headquarters in Germany, the visit gave Engineering Tutors Samuel Hunter and Adrian Haigh full access to GUNT’s state-of-the-art facilities, including their manufacturing and testing centres. They were able to observe GUNT’s complete production cycle, from in?house sheet?metal fabrication to the extensive safety and reliability testing that each piece of equipment undergoes.

Samuel Hunter, Engineering Lecturer at Selby College, said: “The training at GUNT was extremely productive. We packed a lot into the trip and everything we learned will directly enhance the experience of our students. The visit really reinforced the quality behind the systems we use in our teaching, which is enabling us to replicate real-life Carbon Capture and Heat Recovery plants within our classrooms – ensuring our learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively use these climate saving technologies out in the field.”

During the training, tutors trialled GUNT’s latest hydrogen education equipment, which is currently in the final stages of advanced testing.

With sustainability becoming a key priority for the engineering industry, Selby College is exploring opportunities to expand its curriculum in this area. The department is already preparing to launch new hydrogen?focused courses in September 2026, alongside its successful Carbon Capture and Heat Recovery Skills Bootcamps.

“Hydrogen is set to play a huge role in the UK’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy, and we want our students to be at the forefront of that shift,” said Amanda Gleadall, Head of Engineering at Selby College. “By investing early in specialist hydrogen training equipment and working closely with industry leaders like GUNT, Selby College is positioning itself as one of only a handful of training providers ready to deliver this innovative new course. It means our learners will gain hands?on experience with technologies that are only just beginning to enter the wider engineering workforce.”

The College is also introducing new augmented reality?enhanced training equipment that blends digital learning with hands on practice. Students can watch demonstrations, complete tasks on real components and have their work automatically recorded as evidence, whilst tutors can view their progress live. The system allows learners to see inside machinery, apply virtual faults and then fix the real-world components, creating a powerful mix of immersive digital training and practical skill development.

This comes as the department also approaches the end of a successful first year of its Level 6 BEng Engineering (Top-up) degree, alongside its Degree-Level Apprenticeship programmes.

Whilst the College has delivered Higher Education Engineering courses for many years, these programmes can now also be accessed through an apprenticeship route. This allows learners to undertake a degree-level apprenticeship one day a week over four years – two years shorter than the traditional pathway – offering a more flexible and cost-effective option.

If you would like to find out more about the Engineering Department at Selby College, please visit: Engineering

Or, if you are interested in finding out more about the College’s Level 2 Introduction to Hydrogen Systems programme, please contact info@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk

Selby College student Jacob has claimed the top prize at the Yorkshire regional WorldSkills endorsed Sustainability Action Innovation Challenge, impressing judges with his innovative and impactful CO? calculator concept.

Hosted at Wakefield College and sponsored by Steve Frampton MBE SS4E (Sustainability Support for Further Education) and the Renewable Energy Coalition for Academia (RECFA), the challenge tasked students with ‘designing something that will solve a sustainability issue whilst addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’.

Following his win of the college-based heats at Selby College, Jacob represented Selby College to compete against students from Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Castleford College and Wakefield College.  Jacob’s winning idea was the ‘CO2 Impact Projection Calculator’ – using a data calculator to show how small pledges of sustainable actions can compound to have a measurable impact and contribute to a more sustainable society.

As part of this, the user inputs their sustainable action into the calculator which quantifies the estimated CO2 saved by the action (multiplied by participants) before displaying the impact of this change to the user.

Jacob’s innovative idea, which addressed three SDGs, and focused who individuals working collectively can make real change and have impact, secured him the top-spot at the competition, awarded by the judging panel consisting of experts in the sustainability field including Alex Miles FIEP, Dr Lou Mycroft FRSA, Steve Frampton MBE and Philip Emsley.

Jacob, Level 3 IT (Software Development & Cybersecurity) student, said: “It felt nice to win, especially because everyone else’s ideas and presentations were excellent. I used data analysis skills learnt on my Software Development & Cybersecurity course at college for this project, which is my favourite part of the course. I’m really interested in sustainability too as it’s the biggest issue that the world is facing today and one that is growing. My project focuses on how we can help people understand the impact of their sustainable pledges and help everyone to hold each other accountable in order to make a real difference.”

To decide the final representatives from each College, the five Colleges held internal competitions prior, with each subject department encouraged to get involved.

Clare Allcock, Executive Director Student Experience and Support at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “It was a very special afternoon at the Yorkshire Sustainability Action Innovation Challenge that came to fruition after many months of collaboration with our College partners. Every student and team through the college competitions and the final competition, should be incredibly proud of their contribution. The creativity, innovation and professionalism set an extremely high standard. It’s great to see students so passionate about shaping a more sustainable future and climate action. It was an incredible and memorable experience for all involved and a reminder of why we do what we do to drive sustainability engagement within Further Education.”

The inaugural Yorkshire challenge followed the announcement of the results of the Planet Earth Games Sustainability Competition, which saw Selby College place 9th nationally, while fellow Heart of Yorkshire Education Group colleges, Wakefield College and Castleford College, achieved 4th and 6th place respectively. Wakefield College was also recognised as the highest-performing Tier 3 college in the competition, securing 1st place within its category.

The Group is continuing to focus on delivery of its Climate Action Plan and recognises both the urgent global need to address climate change and the important role education plays in creating a more sustainable future.

To support this commitment, the Group continues to work closely with its suppliers, consultants, students and staff to embed a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility across all areas of college life.

The Group recently launched its Climate Action Plan, prioritises four key areas including the decarbonisation of its estate, biodiversity, climate adaptation and green skills, careers and climate education.  

Read the Group’s Climate Action Plan and find out more about how the College and Group is contributing to a more sustainable future here: https://www.heartofyorkshire.ac.uk/about-us/corporate-information/sustainability

Shrewsbury College is delighted to announce that it has been named in the Top Ten big companies in the country in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026.  This award recognises the outstanding performance of all college staff who work tirelessly in the interests of our students.

 

This recognition marks a significant achievement for the college and acknowledges its ongoing commitment to fostering a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace.

The prestigious accolade is based on comprehensive staff feedback and recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in employee engagement, wellbeing, instilling pride, job satisfaction, and opportunities for professional growth.

The Sunday Times Award closely follows the college’s ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted in March 2025, confirming the dedication of college staff to delivering outstanding education and support for people in the region.

James Staniforth, Principal of Shrewsbury College, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the best big organisations to work for. This award is a testament to the commitment, professionalism and care our staff show every day, and I would like to thank every member of our college team.”

He continued: “This recognition reinforces our belief that putting people first leads to stronger teams, a more inclusive culture and better outcomes for our entire college community. This award recognises the dedication of our staff who make Shrewsbury College a great place to work, which in turn ensures our students receive an exceptional experience and outcomes.”

Donna Lucas, Vice Principal for People, added:

“Very few colleges have received such an award, and I’m delighted that the culture that we have created together has been recognised and celebrated in such a way.

Shrewsbury College continues to invest in staff wellbeing, development and leadership at all levels, ensuring our colleagues feel valued, empowered and supported in doing their best work for our students.”

Joycelin Hoyland, Chair of Governors for the college, concluded:

“In the last 18 months, the college has been recognised as an outstanding place to study, and now this Sunday Times Best Places to Work award recognises that we are also a great place to work. I am confident that this award will inspire all staff to make the college an even better place to work and study.”