Department Newsletter
Welcome
Greetings from the Foundation Learning Department at Wakefield College!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading about the amazing things that happen within our Foundation Learning Department.
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.
Our main focus is to provide our students with the core skills and confidence which will prepare them for their next steps in life. That’s why we arrange for our students to take part in a rich variety of activities and experiences alongside their learning to ensure they can successfully progress onto their next steps.
We also believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide and you will be able to read about some of our student success stories in this newsletter, including some of our current and former students. These stories serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Wakefield College offers.
We look forward to welcoming you in September!
Our Project SEARCH Students Graduate
Our Project SEARCH students graduated from their supported internships with Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust.
The Project SEARCH programme combines work experience with short
a real working environment. With the support of a Tutor and a Job Coach, it provides students with the confidence that they can make the transition between education and the workforce.
Supporting the Foundation Learning Community
Our VOTE students recently held their own community project to raise funds to benefit their Foundation Learning community.
The group organised a sponsored walk around Thornes Park, making sure everything was in place for the event.
They found a suitable venue, allocated roles and responsibilites amongst themselves, produced marketing materials, and completed the risk assessment.
Deborah Moss Head of Inclusion
With the £150 raised, students bought a set of pool cues and speakers for others to enjoy in the Den.
wakefield.ac.uk
Hear from our Students
Aliesha
I chose to study Foundation Learning at Wakefield College because I heard about the range of classes they offer, such as employability skills. I enjoy making new friends and learning lots of new things, such as how to work in a team, computer skills and GCSE English. I’d like to stay at the College and begin a Health and Wellbeing programme because I’d like to work for the NHS in the future like all my family do.”
Jasmin
My favourite thing about the course has been meeting new people and expanding my learning with teamwork, computer skills, cooking, baking and crafts. My favourite activities were making pompom wreaths for the Christmas Fair and baking a chocolate fudge cake in cooking class. My dream job would be to help people with disabilities.”
Jacob
My experience on the DFN Project SEARCH programme has been brilliant. I got to try a range of different jobs as part of my placement at Kendray Hospital and the staff are very caring, going the extra mile to support me. I was also part of the youth advisory group which I enjoyed - it was good to have a voice and be able to make a difference to the programme. I would recommend the scheme to parents, carers and young people who have autism or a learning disability, as it gives you experience in different areas and helps you to find out what you want to do.”
Fun Facts!
Octopuses have three hearts
Two pump blood to the gills, one to the rest of the body. That last one stops when they swim.
Sharks existed before trees
Sharks have been around for over 400 million years. Trees showed up around 350 million years ago.
As a Foundation Learning student, you will get to work in our I-innovate pods! You can try your hand at a range of innovative technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, state-of-the-art drones, green screens and podcasting equipment, eGlass Lightscreens, Wizefloor interactive floor projectors and more.
The Eiffel Tower can grow over 6 inches in summer
Heat expands metal. That’s thermal expansion at work.
There’s a species of jellyfish that can potentially live forever
Turritopsis dohrnii can revert to an earlier life stage and start over.
You can hear a blue whale’s heartbeat from 2 miles away
Their hearts weigh over 400 pounds.
Giving Back to the Community
Our King’s Trust students are always learning new skills to boost their confidence.
Recently, they spent the day at Lightwaves Leisure and Community Centre in Wakefield to do their bit for the local community. They put their creativity on show by painting a set of murals to brighten up the room, letting local residents enjoy their artwork.
Students Raise Money for MacMillan Cancer Research
Our Get SET students held a cake sale to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Research.
After finding a suitable location to hold the sale, completing a risk assessment, and practicing recipes beforehand, students baked some delicious treats.
The cake sale was a success as students raised £96.
An Enriching Experience
We want to ensure our Foundation Learning students have an enriching experience during their time with us, which is why they take part in additional activities such as drama workshops. Our Pathways students have been taking part in sessions with drama specialist, Shelley. This has been a great vehicle for developing confidence in learners with more complex needs. They’re loving their sessions!
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
MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER: 5PM-7PM
Castleford College
WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER: 5PM-7PM
Wakefield College
NOVEMBER 2026
SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER: 10AM-12PM
Wakefield College and Castleford College
FEBRUARY 2027
WEDNESDAY 10TH FEBRUARY: 5PM-7PM
Wakefield College and Castleford College
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.
