Greetings from Selby College’s Engineering Department!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting 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 engineering. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We will bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up to date with current trends and departmental achievements. It is 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 is 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.
Additionally, we understand the importance of experiencing the environment where students will learn and grow. Therefore, our newsletter includes extra-curricular activities that happen in and around college.
Amanda Gleadall Head of Engineering
Gaining the Institute of Technology’s seal of approval
Did you know that Selby College is a part of the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology (YHIoT)? The YHIoT is one of 21 Institutes of Technology across the country designed to increase higher level technical skills.
By starting one of our Engineering programmes, you will automatically become an Institute of Technology student – meaning you have access to the latest technologies and learning resources for your sector.
You will be able train on next-generation equipment within the College’s state-of-theart automated Engineering manufacturing facility, ensuring that you gain the skills and knowledge to progress onto a number of roles in the industry.
Find out more about the YHIoT using the QR code:
Women in Engineering
Our Engineering students got to learn all about how women broke into Engineering, thanks to Dr Katie Carpenter and Professor of History of Science & Technology, Graeme Gooday, from the University of Leeds.
The interactive session enabled the students to dive deep into the history of Engineering and the important roles women have played in the industry.
selby.ac.uk
Students Explore Energy Innovation at National Grid’s
New Visitor Hub
As an Engineering student, you will take part in a number of site visits and educational trips, giving you the chance to see engineering in action and deepen your understanding of how large scale projects operate.
Our Engineering students recently had the exciting opportunity to visit National Grid’s newly opened Visitor Hub at Wren Hall Converter Station, joined by Selby’s Member of Parliament, Keir Mather. The visit gave learners a valuable insight into the world of electricity, energy infrastructure and the cutting edge systems that keep the UK powered.
The Visitor Hub has been designed to help young people explore how electricity is generated, transmitted and converted, allowing students to connect classroom theory with real world engineering environments.
Amanda Gleadall, Head of Engineering at Selby College, emphasised the importance of these experiences, saying: “Visits like this are invaluable. They allow our students to see how the principles they learn in the classroom are applied on a national scale. Understanding projects like EGL2 helps them appreciate the complexity and importance of modern energy systems.”
The visit not only broadened students’ technical understanding but also inspired them as they continue preparing for their future careers in the engineering sector.
Hear From Our T Level Students
Our T Level Engineering students, Crawford and Harris, recently had the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned during their industry placement at Drax. In this video, they share their experiences of working alongside professionals, gaining hands on skills and seeing how engineering principles are applied in real world environments.
Sustainability Week Sparks Big Ideas in Engineering
Sustainability isn’t just something we talk about in class - it’s a core part of our curriculum. And with Engineering set to play a massive role in helping the UK reach net zero, our students are already stepping up to the challenge!
During Sustainability Week, our Engineering learners got the chance to unleash their creativity and pitch their own sustainable infrastructure ideas. From futuristic low carbon systems to greener transport, it was great to see just how imaginative (and competitive!) our future engineers can be.
The winners will go on to represent their College at the first-ever Yorkshire WorldSkills Sustainability Competition, which is a fantastic chance to showcase their innovation on a bigger stage.
Engineering students’ accomplishments celebrated at Annual Awards Ceremony
The hard work and achievements of our Engineering students were recognised as part of our Annual Student Awards Ceremony.
Acknowledging the dedication he demonstrated to his studies, Ellis Ward from Selby College was presented with the Engineering Student of the Year Award.
On hand to deliver the award was Jeffrey Utley MBE from the Institute of Engineering and Technology, who said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to present this award on behalf of the IET. The IET is an institute for professionals, but we understand that everyone needs to start somewhere and that is why we are committed to supporting awards such as these to inspire and encourage young learners into careers in the Engineering sector.”
Big Tech and Big Adventures in Engineering
Our Engineering team is always finding new ways to boost your learning! Recently, lecturers Sam Hunter and Adrian Haigh travelled to Germany for specialist CPD training with Gunt, a world-leading engineering training equipment provider. They returned with new skills, innovative teaching ideas and even more exciting hands-on activities to bring into your workshops.
Their training supports the use of our state-of-the-art Decarbonisation Laboratory, designed to prepare you for future careers in engineering and the low-carbon sector. The lab includes advanced Gunt rigs that simulate carbon capture and heat recovery, giving you the chance to work with the same technologies shaping our net-zero future.
We’ve also invested in VR headsets, allowing you to step into immersive engineering environments and experience scenarios that go far beyond the classroom.
Employer Visit
Our Engineering students recently visited Saint-Gobain where they learned how the glass manufacturing company is using engineering technology to enable them to become carbon zero by 2050.
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.
