Greetings from the Creative Industries Centre here at Selby College!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting new publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings, developments and opportunities in our amazing department.
As the head of the department, I am continually inspired by the passion and innovation that our students and staff bring to the world of creative. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We’ll bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up-to-date with current trends and departmental achievements. It’s an excellent way for you to stay connected and informed about the field.
We also believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide. That’s why we will be featuring student case studies, showcasing the journeys, challenges and successes of our students. These stories not only highlight the real-world application of our courses but also serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Selby College offers.
Good luck in your exams and we look forward to welcoming you in September.
Selby College Art students’ trip to New York
40 Art students from Selby College travelled to New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, fully funded by the Turing Scheme.
Over their 13 days in New York, the students visited some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller building and the One World Observatory.
They also visited educational sites that enhanced their learning, including famous art museums such as The Met and the Museum of Modern Art, alongside tours through renowned institutes including the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios.
Grace Ogle, Level 3 Art & Design student at Selby College, said: “The New York trip was an amazing opportunity. I wanted to surround myself in the culture and art of New York as it is a bucket list travel destination for so many people. I learned about so many famous pieces of artwork and was introduced to new artists along the way which have inspired my college projects.”
Riley Cocking, Level 3 Art & Design student at Selby College, said: “This trip was not just enjoyable but also beneficial towards my coursework. By visiting a range of galleries and museums, I found different artists and styles that I could use for my final project. The trip gave me a different perspective of the world.”
FHT Group Tours, a company which specialise in providing educational trips for students across the country, organised the flights, itinerary and accommodation whilst giving the College students and tutors the responsibility to take lead on dining and city travel arrangements.
The trip was funded by the Turing Scheme – one of the UK Government’s initiatives to provide funding for international learning opportunities and global mobility projects for colleges and universities.
Marie Dalton Head of Creative Industries
selby.ac.uk
Hear from our Students Fantastic Facilities
Art, Design & Photography
Viktorija
“The course has taught me a lot, including teamwork, employability, technological and time management skills. My knowledge of fine art and the history of art has also grown. I want to study animation further in the future, which will allow me to have more options within art, illustration and animation industry and prepare me for these jobs.”
Film, Media & Television
Chalitha
“I chose the Level 3 Creative Media course as I enjoy photo and video editing and graphic design. The course is enhancing my skills in these areas and I’ve gained lots of experience during my time at College. I want to share my creative skills with the film industry and want become an Editor or a Director.”
Maddison
“Since starting the course, my photography skills have improved as I now understand the different rules when taking photographs. The video editing module also helped a lot when making our own short films.”
Selby College Art students exhibit sustainable art projects at Selby Abbey
Selby College’s Art & Design students exhibited an array of sustainable fashion and art as part of Up For Yorkshire and Our Zero Selby’s Sustainable Fashion Show at Selby Abbey – an event which brought the community together to celebrate sustainable fashion and the charity shops on Selby’s highstreets.
At the start of term, Level 3 Art & Design students were tasked with creating art using
second-hand materials and objects from local charity shops, which would later be exhibited at Selby Abbey. The artwork on show ranged from upcycled fashion to sculptures, 3D outcomes and documentary photography.
Creating sustainable artwork has been embedded into the students’ studio practice and this isn’t the first time that the department has exhibited their projects in the local
Selby Art Students
community. Earlier this year, higher education students from the College launched a monthlong sustainabilitythemed exhibition at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York where a new piece of artwork was installed each week throughout March, displayed to the thousands of visitors the shopping centre attracts..
Level 1 and 2 Art students researched the history of Selby’s railway and focused their designs on the past, present and future of Selby Station. These ideas were then hand painted before being installed and presented alongside local MP Keir Mather.
Creative Arts Exhibition Thursday 11th June 6-8pm
Renaissance Building
Degree Show Thursday 18th June 6-8pm
Selby Abbey
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.
