Selby College Sport and Public Services Newsletter 2026

Department Newsletter

Welcome

Greetings from the Sport & Public Services Department at Selby College!

I am thrilled to introduce you to our amazing department - where passion meets profession, and where every challenge is a stepping stone to success.

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.

We proudly showcase our students’ successes with many of them now in roles at professional sports clubs, the armed services or progressing on to Higher Education.

These stories are nothing short of inspiring, demonstrating the high level of dedication and talent nurtured within our College walls. Explore their testimonials to understand what truly sets our department apart.

Finally, indulge in some fun facts and figures about the worlds of sport and public services. These enlightening snippets offer a fresh perspective on the diverse and exciting paths you can explore in these dynamic fields.

Good luck with your exams and we look forward to welcoming you in September!

OUR 3G PITCH IS READY TO GO

After months of anticipation, our brand-new 3G pitch has been installed and will soon be ready to allow students, local clubs and community groups to train on state-of-theart facilities all year round.

With our men’s football team christening the pitch at the start of February, the new all-weather pitch will support a range of activities including football, rugby training and general fitness training.

It will also be available to hire during evenings and weekends, creating more opportunities for local clubs and community groups to benefit. It will open to the public shortly.

The project has been made possible thanks to a £900K grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation in an aim to transform grassroots sports provision across the country.

Amy O’Keefe Head of Sport & Public Services

Sport Fun Facts

Golf on the Moon

In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission, making it the longest golf shot in history due to the low gravity.

Olympic Origins

The modern Olympic Games, revived in 1896, were based on the ancient Greek Olympic Games, which date back to 776 BC and included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing and equestrian events.

The Longest Baseball Game

The longest professional baseball game lasted 33 innings and took eight hours and 25 minutes to complete in 1981.

Public Services Fun Facts

World’s First Police Force

The first police force in the world was started in London in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel.

The UK’s Speedy Ambulance Services

The NHS aims for ambulances to reach life-threatening emergencies in 7 minutes or less, though actual response times vary based on location and demand.

Firefighters Do More Than Fight Fires

They also respond to floods, road traffic accidents and chemical spills. The London Fire Brigade even helps rescue animals stuck in tricky places!

Hear from our Students

Public Services

Isla

I was extremely quiet when I started at the College but now my confidence has grown so much, even winning the Public Services Personality of the Year award. Highlights of my time include the team-building communication exercises and trips to Leeds Crown Court and Bewerley Park Outdoor Centre, where I took part in outdoor activities. After College, I plan to apply to the police force, with my ultimate dream being a police officer.”

Sport

Leon

I really enjoy the lessons delivered by my tutors and working alongside my fellow coursemates. What I’m learning in the classroom is teaching me how to effectively work with younger children which I’m able to apply when doing work experience. The department also has close links with the National Careers Service (NCS), so we’ve been able to take part in a range of activities and trips.”

What’s Next?

After completing a Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course at the College, Luke has progressed onto a degree-level Public Services Management programme right here at Selby College.

Luke said about his Level 3 Uniformed Public Services programme: “I really enjoyed learning about theories and behaviours in relation to crimes. The course allowed me to gain key skills, including communication, team building and problem-solving which I will use in my future career in the uniformed services sector.”

Not sure about university?

Don’t worry, we also offer a FdSc Sports Coaching and Exercise Sciences degree here at Selby College – meaning you can benefit from smaller classes, lower fees and additional support!

Do You Want to Become a Sports Advocate?

If you are interested in developing football and other sports across the College and the community, you have the opportunity to become an Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport Ambassador!

The programme has taken our students to some amazing places in the past year, including the Etihad Stadium and AJ Bell Stadium!

Students Take Part in Crime Scene Investigation Workshop

Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services students had the opportunity to explore the role of a Crime Scene Investigator.

Throughout the day, students examined various types of forensic evidence before taking part in a hands-on crime scene processing task. They built on their critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, all of which will benefit future careers in the public services.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

We encourage all of our students to step beyond the classroom to expand their knowledge and experience.

As a sports student, you will have the opportunity to learn from professionals working in the sector and in realistic environments. Our sports students have previously taken part in a range of interactive sessions at CrossFit in Leeds, English Institute of Sport Sheffield, The Hutt Hybrid Gym in Selby and Station 14

CrossFit in Goole, where they had their knowledge and fitness tested!

Our Public Services students recently visited Leeds Crown Court where they witnessed real-life court cases and learned how the UK’s judicial system works.

They also participated in police riot training with West Yorkshire Police at its Carr Gate Complex.

Enrichment

Our students recently took on Ninja Warrior, as well as strengthening their teamwork skills at Selby Super Bowl. Our AOC Ambassadors even organised a zorb litter picking session!

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.