Chancellor visits Pudsey Sixth Form College construction

Written by James Beaumont on February 28, 2025. Posted in Environment, News, Partnerships

Rachel Reeves, member of Parliament for Leeds West and Pudsey and Chancellor of the Exchequer, recently toured the under-construction Pudsey Sixth Form College and met with prospective students.

The new sixth form college, expected to host around 700 learners, is set to open its doors to its first cohort of students in September this year. The new sixth form is being created due to the changing post-16 landscape, with many schools that have a sixth form provision increasingly facing challenges to continue providing a viable offer that meets the needs and expectations of young people as they progress. 

Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “I was delighted to see the progress being made in developing this new sixth form in my constituency. Speaking to future Pudsey Sixth Form College students while on the visit, their positivity around being able to remain in the local area to attend sixth form was clear. Without the creation of this large new sixth form college, many prospective students would instead have to travel further afield for their sixth form education.

A key reason behind the creation of Pudsey Sixth Form College is to increase capacity and coherence in the local post-16 landscape. Once operational, Pudsey Sixth Form College will not only ensure that young people have additional learning opportunities locally but it will also release capacity in partner schools.

This is what encouraged Crawshaw Academy, Co-op Academy Priesthorpe and Leeds West Academy to approach Leeds Sixth Form College and Leeds City College (members of Luminate Education Group) to form a partnership.

Phil Mark, Principal of Pudsey Sixth Form College, said: “It is exciting to think that in a few short months, Pudsey Sixth Form College will begin its role providing the young people of Pudsey and the surrounding area with educational opportunities leading to employment or further study. Drawing on links with Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College, this new sixth form in Pudsey will be able to expertly provide both academic and technical courses for young people.”

Funding for the ambitious project has been sourced through a £12.7 million loan from the Department for Education, signalling the government’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure in areas like Pudsey. The development, which is being undertaken by Caddick Construction, represents a significant investment in the future of Pudsey’s young people.

Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East, said: “We are pleased to be delivering this much needed sixth form college, and it was a pleasure to actually welcome prospective students and local figureheads to the site to see the progress we are making. This project is not just about the building; it’s about giving local people the educational resources to help them succeed, contributing to a thriving community. We’re grateful for Rachel Reeves’ interest and support, and we look forward to continuing our work to welcome new students to the project later this year.”

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Leeds City College hosts pivotal AI and apprenticeships event for National Apprenticeship Week

Written by James Beaumont on February 12, 2025. Posted in News

Luminate Education Group was delighted to kick-start National Apprenticeship Week with an inspiring event at Leeds City College’s Printworks Campus, bringing together key industry leaders and apprentices to explore the crucial role of apprenticeships in the adoption of AI and the future of skills development.

We were honoured to welcome the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, and Microsoft UK CEO, Darren Hardman, alongside three exceptional apprentices – Hannah, Ria, and Oliver – who shared their experiences and insights on how apprenticeships are providing a pathway into AI-driven careers.

The Role of Apprenticeships in AI Adoption

The event provided a fascinating discussion on how apprenticeships are not only helping to build a strong talent pipeline but also accelerating AI adoption across industries.

We frequently talk about AI’s ability to enhance efficiency, creativity, and value – critical elements of economic growth. However, without skilled individuals equipped with the right knowledge, these opportunities remain untapped.

The panel discussion highlighted just how impactful apprenticeships can be in bridging this skills gap. Hannah, an Apprentice Data Scientist at Arup, noted, “Data and AI are transforming every sector. Apprenticeships are a way to get out of the classroom and do something real with direct application to the world of work.” Similarly, Ria, a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft UK, emphasised that “an apprenticeship will set you up with the skills you need to apply and understand how AI can create real opportunities for businesses.” Oliver, a Data Analyst Apprentice at United Utilities, added to this, stating that “AI holds amazing possibilities, and we’re only starting to realise what they are – it’s incredibly exciting to be involved.”

A Day of Insightful Discussions and Collaboration

The event continued with a thought-provoking panel discussion led by Darren Hardman, which explored the intersection of business, skills, and regional growth in an AI-driven world.

Joining the conversation were Andrew Byrom, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Leeds City Council; Adrian Berry, Chief Technology Officer at ASDA; and Natalie Wilson, Vice Principal of Skills at Luminate Education Group.

Beyond the panel discussion, the event also featured workshops led by careers advisers and AI for Regional Growth roundtables. These sessions sparked valuable conversations about the future of work, the evolving skills landscape, and the role of businesses in supporting apprenticeships.

The day was not only about celebrating the benefits of apprenticeships but also about ensuring that businesses and policymakers continue to invest in developing the workforce of the future. By embracing these skills, the entire economy stands to benefit, driving forward the AI opportunity for both regional and national growth.

The Importance of National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week is about making more people aware of the opportunities available through apprenticeships, ensuring that future generations can access the same career-shaping experiences as the inspirational apprentices who joined us on the panel. As we continue to celebrate apprenticeships throughout the week, we look forward to further discussions on how skills development can drive innovation and growth.

A huge thank you to Microsoft, the Chancellor and HM Treasury as well as the Luminate Education Group team, for making this event a huge success.

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Navigating the post-16 education maze

Written by James Beaumont on February 18, 2025. Posted in Members, News

For so many people, Level 3 qualifications represent a vital step towards their future career – but the array of options available, in both vocational and academic routes, can be baffling. With the government’s review of a proposed overhaul of these courses now complete, has the path become any clearer?

For students and parents alike the sheer breadth of options available in post-16 education can be both exciting and a little overwhelming.

The previous government, in a bid to improve skills and employability while streamlining the system, began a wide-ranging reform of Level 3 qualifications which looked at everything from BTECs and T Levels, to A levels and apprenticeships.

The stated aim, to create “clearly defined academic and technical routes” for post-16 progression, was admirable. But the shake-up also carried real risks, not least through the proposed ending of hundreds of courses, including many BTECs; with the worry being that some learners could be left with nowhere to go.

So the current government’s decision to hold a review of the reform process, to end some of that uncertainty, was welcome. Now we have the outcomes of that review, what is the outlook for colleges like ours and prospective students?

The headline result is that no fewer than 157 of those originally under-threat qualifications will continue, at least for the next year or two. We also have assurances that the defunding of certain qualifications will be done in phases, to minimise disruption and allow for a more managed change.

Of equal importance is the government’s decision to leave the question of what combinations of qualifications education providers can offer to them. Its report, The outcomes of the Review of Qualifications Reform at Level 3 in England, states: “It should be for colleges and sixth forms to work with students to devise the best mix for each individual.”

That makes perfect sense as each area’s college is much better-placed than the Department for Education to know what skills-blend is actually needed by its local economy, and therefore its learners. Many colleges have spent decades building up strong working relationships with their region’s businesses and organisations, and sometimes formalised this process – as we have through Harrogate College Employers’ Network – to increase its effectiveness.

Doing so reaps all kinds of tangible benefits. For our students, for example, it has led to collaboration and work experience with respected organisations like RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Rudding Park and Techbuyer, to name a few. Our partnership with Harrogate District Hospital, meanwhile, has secured T Level placements, supported internships and a variety of apprenticeship opportunities.

And our business links also ensure a steady stream of fact-finding trips for our learners to places like Energy Oasis, Transdev Blazefield, top tier local restaurants and West Yorkshire Police’s training centre at Carr Gate Complex, while local businesses regularly visit our campus to share their expertise.

These kinds of experiences, the result of hard-won grassroots knowledge and years of networking, are mirrored in colleges across the country. So it is pleasing to see the government, in its findings, acknowledge the value of that.

The review report notes that: ‘Students and employers need a simpler range of high-quality qualifications, which provide them with the skills they need’. With funding set to be removed from more than 200 less popular courses, the simplification part of that ambition seems to have been at least partially accomplished.

The challenge has been to ‘trim away the fat’ while ensuring the courses that remain offer a valuable and accessible pathway for students of all kinds of ability levels.

That appears to have been achieved, as learners still have a rich and layered range of routes into their chosen career or next educational stage, outside of the traditional academic route of A levels-then-university.

T Levels, which blend classroom learning with substantial industry placements, are the high-level technical option that the government is particularly keen to promote. It is easy to see their appeal: not only do they give learners a ‘head start’ and experience in their chosen field, but also – with each T Level being worth the equivalent of three A levels – offer an alternative path to university.

Alongside these exist a wide range of BTEC and other applied general technical qualifications which also support progression into work or higher education. These qualifications cover subjects ranging from electrical engineering, bricklaying and childcare to business and marketing, creative media and uniformed protective services. And then there are all the apprenticeship and internship options, which can provide direct routes into so many different kinds of jobs.

So, there’s still plenty to consider for those mulling over their next steps. The important thing for prospective students to remember is that teachers, careers advisers and colleges, across Yorkshire and the UK, are here to help them decide what will work best for them: the door is open.

Danny Wild is Principal of Harrogate College, which is a member of Luminate Education Group.

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Luminate Education Group and Surplus to Purpose: A Partnership Fighting Food Waste and Supporting Healthy Eating 

Written by James Beaumont on February 13, 2025. Posted in Environment, News, Partnerships

For several years, Luminate Education Group has partnered with Surplus to Purpose as one of our key food suppliers. This collaboration has brought significant benefits to the Group – not only in providing food for our canteens but also in positively impacting the environment by reducing food waste and supporting our sustainability pledge.

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and student wellbeing, in September 2024, we introduced the Free Fruit and Veg for All campaign. This initiative ensures that all students and staff across the Luminate Education Group have access to free fruits and vegetables. By removing the cost barrier, we are making it easier than ever for our community to enjoy nutritious food options.

There is overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, from improving general health and cognitive function to enhancing learning and development. Encouraging healthy eating habits helps reinforce positive behaviour change, making nutritious food choices the norm rather than the exception.

The Work of Surplus to Purpose

Surplus to Purpose is an innovative social enterprise tackling the critical issue of food waste. Founded to create a more sustainable and socially responsible approach to food, they transform surplus food destined for disposal into valuable resources for communities, events, and schools across the UK.

Surplus to Purpose intercepts surplus food at its Purpose warehouse, which comes from all over the world. Every day, pallets of perfectly edible food that would otherwise go to waste are sorted. Globally, 6,000 calories per person per day are produced – yet half of that food never reaches a plate. Much of it is fed to animals, and the rest is simply discarded. Their mission is to change that.

All food is meticulously inspected for quality, ensuring only the best produce reaches those who need it. The process includes checking for spoilage, mould, and broken packaging before distributing the food to colleges, community groups, and individuals. Thanks to this partnership, students and staff at Luminate Education Group can enjoy fresh, healthy food every day.

A Shared Commitment to Sustainability

This initiative is about more than just providing free food – it’s about creating a sustainable, waste-conscious culture that prioritises both people and the planet. By working with Surplus to Purpose, Luminate Education Group is actively reducing food waste while promoting healthy eating habits within our learning community.

We’re incredibly proud of this partnership and the positive change it continues to bring. Whether you’re a student, staff member, or simply someone interested in sustainability, we invite you to support and spread awareness about the impact of food waste reduction and accessible nutrition.

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