Selby College Business and Travel & Tourism Newsletter 2026
Department Newsletter
selby.ac.uk
Greetings from Selby College’s Business & Management and Travel & Tourism Department!
I’m Henry Manwaring, Deputy Head of Business and Travel & Tourism, and I’m pleased to share a few words with you as you explore the exciting possibilities these industries have to offer.
Whether your interests lie in business, marketing, finance, travel or tourism, you’re looking at sectors full of opportunity, creativity and real-world impact. These industries shape the way we work, explore the world, and connect with others.
We believe in learning that goes beyond the classroom. From team-building activities like escape room challenges to industry visits with organisations such as Jet2 and Flamingo Land, our approach is rooted in hands-on experience. It’s all about developing the practical skills and confidence that help you succeed, wherever your journey takes you.
So whether you’re considering higher education, looking into apprenticeships, or exploring potential career paths, know that there’s a world of opportunity waiting for you. Your future in business or travel could start anywhere—and we’re here to help inspire that first step.
Wishing you all the best as you move forward.
Business Students Gain Real-World Event Management Insights at Carlton Towers
Level 3 Business students from Selby College recently visited the stunning Carlton Towers for an informative and engaging behind-thescenes tour.
The visit provided valuable insight into how a professional events venue operates, supporting students with their Event Management unit. During the tour, learners explored how events are planned, organised and delivered at a large-scale venue, giving them a real-world perspective on the skills and coordination required in the industry.
Experiences like this help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, allowing students to see firsthand how business concepts apply in real environments.
The college extends its thanks to the team at Carlton Towers for providing such an inspiring experience and helping to enrich students’ learning as they prepare for future careers in business and events management.
Henry Manwaring Deputy Head of Business and Travel & Tourism
Our Travel & Tourism students had an amazing day visiting Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, gaining a fascinating insight into the aviation and holiday industry.
Students were given a behind-the-scenes look at how Jet2 operates, from customer service and airline operations to holiday planning and destination management. It was a brilliant opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to run a successful airline and tour operator.
The visit was not only inspiring but also incredibly valuable for students considering careers in the travel and tourism sector. The team at Jet2 were so welcoming and were
happy to share their expertise—it was an unforgettable experience!
Who knows? We might have some future Jet2 employees among us!
Hear from our Students
Business & Management
Klaudia
“I’ve always had an interest in business and the course has provided me with the knowledge to think critically about business activity and behaviours. I can now understand why businesses make certain decisions or how organisations work in teams to achieve their successes.”
Aimee
“I really enjoyed my two years studying at Selby College. My tutors really helped me grow as a person and I can’t thank them enough for this. The course taught me so much which I was able to take away with me. It had its challenges over the duration, but I enjoyed every single minute of it.”
Travel & Tourism
Evie
“I chose to study the Level 3 Travel & Tourism course at Selby College because it’s the best in the area. We’ve learned about all aspects of Travel & Tourism, including destinations, cabin crew, customer service and more. My confidence has grown so much since I started and so have my communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Some of my highlights from the course are going on trips to Flamingo Land, York Chocolate Story and the Jorvik Centre.”
Fun Facts!
A Million-Dollar Mistake:
The Post-it Note was invented by accident! In 1968, Spencer Silver at 3M was trying to create a strong adhesive but ended up with a weak, reusable one. Years later, it became one of 3M’s bestselling products!
Amazon’s Original Name:
Before settling on Amazon, Jeff Bezos considered calling his online bookstore “Cadabra”, as in abracadabra. He changed it after a lawyer misheard it as “cadaver”!
The Monopoly Myth:
During the Great Depression, Monopoly became one of the bestselling board games in history. It was even used in World War II to smuggle escape tools to prisoners of war!
Longest Flight in the World:
Mica-Lousie
“I’m so glad I chose to study Level 3 Travel & Tourism at Selby College because I am learning something new every day and we also get to go on a lot of trips. We’ve had guest talks from professionals working at easyJet, Jet2 and Visit Britain which has helped me gain insight into what it’s like to work in the industry. This has made me want to become a Cabin Crew member and travel the world.”
The world’s longest commercial flight is from Singapore to New York, covering 9,537 miles and taking around 18 hours and 40 minutes—long enough to watch 9 full-length movies!
A Hotel in Space?
A company called Orbital Assembly is planning to open the world’s first space hotel by 2027. Guests will experience artificial gravity, luxurious suites, and an out-of-this-world view of Earth!
Industry Guest Speaker Inspires Business
Students at Selby College
Level 3 BTEC Business students at Selby College recently welcomed industry guest speaker Aaron Williams from Evri for an insightful session on workforce planning and modern business operations.
During the talk, Aaron shared his experience of working within a fast-paced logistics company, helping students understand how businesses plan, manage and develop their workforce in a constantly evolving environment. His insights brought the topic to life, allowing learners to connect their classroom studies with real-world business practice.
The session sparked engaging discussions and highlighted how major organisations like Evri adapt and thrive in a dynamic industry.
Opportunities to hear directly from professionals are a key part of studying Business at Selby College, giving students valuable insight into different career pathways and the realities of the workplace. The Business Department would like to thank Aaron for sharing his time and expertise, and for helping to inspire the next generation of business professionals.
Sweet Success for Travel & Tourism Students at York’s Chocolate Story!
First-year Travel & Tourism students enjoyed a deliciously educational day out at York’s Chocolate Story, immersing themselves in the history of chocolate while getting hands-on with some tasty treats!
As part of their studies on UK visitor attractions and customer service, students gained first-hand insight into how an attraction operates— whilst also making (and tasting!) their own chocolate lollies and truffles along the way.
The experience will now help them bring their assignment work to life back at college, using everything they learned about customer experience and visitor engagement.
A fantastic day of learning, creativity, and of course, lots of chocolate!
Group Secures Number One Spot for FE College Achievement Rates in the Region
The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has ranked first in Yorkshire & the Humber for student achievement amongst General Further Education Colleges, also securing fifth place nationally.
This highly impressive result follows a strong performance across the Group’s 16–18 provision, with the latest Department for Education National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for 2024/2025 confirming the Group as the region’s highest-performing FE college for learners aged under 19.
In addition to this success, the Group also achieved fourth place regionally for Apprenticeship achievement rates, further highlighting its strength across further education and skills training.
The results position the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and its three colleges – Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College - as having the best achievement results of all further education colleges in Yorkshire & the Humber region and being the fifth top-performing further education college in England, reflecting the quality of teaching, support and student outcomes delivered across its campuses and programmes.
The NARTs are key summary indicators of performance in education and training and apprenticeships and demonstrate the percentage of students that were awarded their qualifications. Published annually, the national tables rank over 150 colleges.
I am so proud of this phenomenal accolade. Being ranked first in the region for our 16-18 achievement rates and fifth nationally is something we are incredibly proud of and reflects both the ambition of our students and the quality of education and support across the Group. These results are a true reflection of the dedication and care shown by our staff, who go above and beyond every day to help our learners succeed academically, grow as individuals and move forward with confidence into their next steps.”
Sam Wright Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
OPEN EVENTS
OCTOBER 2026
SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER: 10AM-12PM
NOVEMBER 2026
WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER: 5PM-7PM
FEBRUARY 2027
WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY: 5PM-7PM
Combining Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group saw outstanding pass rates in 2024/2025, with Selby College securing a 99% pass rate across its A Level programmes and Wakefield College a 98%. Castleford College and Wakefield College also achieved an impressive 100% pass rate for their T Level courses.
A significant number of its learners also progressed onto employment or higher education, including Russell Group universities such as the University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham and many more.
Across its colleges, the Group offers a broad range of 16–18 study programmes, including A Levels, T Levels and vocational and technical courses. It also delivers a wide variety of apprenticeships, designed to reflect local labour market needs and support learners into meaningful careers.
