selby.ac.uk
Greetings from Selby College’s Computing and Digital Industries Department!
Hello, I’m Rob Charlish, Head of Computing & Digital Industries, and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to you.
You’re exploring one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving industries in the world. Whether your interests lie in coding, cybersecurity, game design, or digital sustainability, the digital sector offers endless opportunities to innovate, create, and make an impact.
Year 10 students from The Snaith School recently took their first step into the fastgrowing world of video game development during an exciting workshop at Selby College.
Delivered by the college’s Digital Industries department, the session introduced students to the creative and technical skills involved in designing and developing games. During the workshop, students explored how games are created and gained hands-on experience with some of the tools used in the industry.
It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to learn more about this rapidly evolving industry and begin thinking about future pathways in game development and digital careers. Welcome
Our approach to learning is practical and hands-on. For example, students have worked with organisations like British Taekwondo to develop real-world digital solutions, such as a professional-level grading system now used at sporting events. Experiences like these help build skills and portfolios that stand out.
Whether you’re considering a career in tech, further study, or launching your own digital venture, there’s a place for your passion and ideas in this fast-moving field. The future is full of opportunity—and it’s yours to shape.
Wishing you all the best on your journey ahead.
Rob Charlish Head of Computing & Digital Industries
The visit gave students a valuable insight into the opportunities available in the digital and games sectors, while also offering a taste of what it’s like to study Digital Industries at Selby College.
The Head of Computing and Digital Industries Rob Charlish, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to games education after winning the Most Inspiring Course Leader Award at the Games Education Awards.
The award, sponsored by Double Eleven, celebrates the vital role educators play in supporting and inspiring the next generation of games developers. During the ceremony, Mark South highlighted the importance of recognising those working behind the scenes in games education.
Judges praised Rob’s passion and dedication to his students. Quoting comments from Keith Stuart, the judges said: “It is clear that they are a hugely knowledgeable and inspiring course leader who is absolutely dedicated to his students. They bring experience and imagination to the course, while motivating learners to achieve their very best.”
The award comes at a special time for Rob, who is also celebrating 30 years working in the games industry. Throughout his career, he has combined extensive industry experience with a passion for teaching, helping students develop the skills, creativity and confidence needed to succeed in the fast-growing games sector.
His recognition is a proud moment for the department and reflects the strength of the digital and games education offered at Wakefield College.
“My ultimate goal is to get a job in Cybersecurity in the future, as I’ve always wanted to work in Computer Science or something technology-based. My biggest take-away from College has been independent learning and skills such as essay writing that have prepared me for university. I also got lots of support from my tutors, especially in form groups, as well as in my one-to-one meetings.”
Computer Science student Eloise, who has now progressed on to study Computer Science at the University of Lancaster
The term computer bug originated in 1947 when engineers found a real moth stuck in a relay inside the Harvard Mark II computer. They removed it and logged it as the first official computer “debugging”!
“I chose this course as it’s a growing subject and there’s lot to learn. It made sense to stay on at Selby College as it is a very engaging course and both the students and tutors are really nice.”
After completing his course, Tomas progressed onto the BSc (Hons) Applied Computing at Selby College
“There are so many different avenues which you can go down with the course. My time at Selby College has allowed me to explore my creative side and discover my passion for character 3D modelling.”
Beck progressed onto a BSc (Hons) in Applied Computing at Selby College, part of the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
“I particularly liked the programming side of the course and found that it challenged me and pushed me to do my best. The level of support I received was great and there was always somewhere we could go and somebody I could speak to when I needed support. What I’ve learned about programming, assignments and essay-style writing will be invaluable in my degree.”
Juliet is now studying Computer Science at the University of York
The first floppy disks were 8 inches wide and could only hold 80 kilobytes of data – that’s less than a single modern email attachment!
The first-ever video game, Tennis for Two, was created in 1958 and ran on an oscilloscope – a device normally used for measuring electrical signals!
The world’s first website went live in 1991, but most people had to use dial-up internet, which could take minutes just to load a single page!
The first use of computer passwords was in the 1960s on MIT’s Compatible Time-Sharing System – but even back then, hackers were already trying to crack them!
Meet Computing student Henry who spoke to us about his love for studying Computing and why it’s such a rewarding industry to get into!
Scan the QR code to watch the video on Instagram!
+ GOOGLE – Runs on 100% renewable energy, powering its servers with wind and solar power to reduce its carbon footprint.
+ APPLE – Uses recycled materials from old iPhones to make new ones, cutting down on waste and mining.
+ MICROSOFT – Has experimented with underwater data centres to use ocean water for cooling and aims to be carbon negative by 2030.
Tech is evolving fast, and sustainability is a huge part of it. Whether you’re studying computing, coding, or gaming, understanding digital sustainability will shape the future of the industry—and you could be part of it!
Digital sustainability is all about using technology in a way that’s better for the planet. It means designing, using, and disposing of digital devices and services responsibly, so they have less impact on the environment and help create a greener future.
Here’s how digital sustainability works:
+ SAVING ENERGY – Tech companies are making energy-efficient gadgets and software to reduce power consumption. Smarter coding and greener data centres mean less wasted electricity.
+ CUTTING E-WASTE – Old phones, laptops, and other tech shouldn’t just end up in landfill. Companies are recycling and reusing materials to make new devices.
+ BUILDING TECH THAT LASTS – Instead of upgrading every year, digital sustainability encourages repairable and upgradable devices, so we don’t throw away perfectly good tech.
+ ECO-FRIENDLY CLOUD COMPUTING – The internet runs on huge data centres that use a lot of energy. Companies are switching to renewable energy and smarter cooling systems to cut carbon emissions.
+ GREEN SOFTWARE – Efficiently designed apps and programmes use less power, making devices run faster while being better for the environment.
+ SMART CITIES & IOT – Tech is being used in cities to save energy and reduce waste, like smart traffic lights that reduce congestion and energy use.
+ DATA SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY – Keeping data safe doesn’t just protect privacy—it also prevents unnecessary energy use from cyberattacks and data breaches.
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
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.
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