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Painting & Decorating students tackle striking football mural

A recent collaboration between Leeds College of Building and local artist Nicolas Dixon resulted in an eye-catching football mural at the GOALS soccer centre in Kirkstall. An all-female group of City & Guilds Level 1 Painting & Decorating Diploma students spent two weeks working with the artist, whose artwork can be seen around the world, completing…

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York school students get taste of construction careers

Fifteen Year 11 students from across York got the chance to get a real-world insight into the construction industry. Their industry taster day began with a tour of the York Central construction site, where students learned about ongoing work on one of England’s largest brownfield development, and future career opportunities represented by this landmark project….

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Olympic champion Tessa Sanderson CBE inspires GSAL pupils ahead of International Women’s Day

Pupils at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) were treated to an inspiring visit from Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson CBE on Wednesday 5 March, as the former javelin thrower shared her journey to sporting success ahead of International Women’s Day. Tessa, who made history as the first black British woman to win an Olympic…

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Bradford vying for two national student nursing awards

The University of Bradford has been shortlisted in two categories at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2025.  Bradford is nominated in the Partnership of the Year category, for its work with New Vision Bradford/Waythrough on overdose awareness and response training and for the Student Placement of The Year: Community award.  Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental…

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York free school meal pilots extended to a third primary school

York’s free school meal pilot has been rolled out to a third school this term. Pupils at Fishergate Primary School are now able to get a free breakfast at school each morning as part of the citywide campaign to deliver free meals to primary school pupils. The campaign is part of the council’s wider commitment…

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Bradford College wins prestigious national education award

Bradford College has won ‘The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL’ category at the 2025 Association of College’s Beacon Awards. The College was the only winner from Yorkshire or Northeast England. The national Beacon awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice in further education colleges and demonstrate the far-reaching impact of colleges on…

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93.7% York pupils get first choice of Secondary School

Secondary school admission figures for entry in September 2025 published today [3 March] reveal that 93.7% per cent of York children have been allocated their first preference of school. Parents and carers who applied online can find out where their child has been allocated a place by logging into their parent portal account today via www.york.gov.uk/SecondarySchoolAdmissions….

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Your invitation to exhibit at the upcoming SEND Next Choices event on Tuesday 24th June 2025

SEND Next Choices – Getting ready for adult life Leeds first direct arena | Tuesday 24th June 2025 | 10am-6pm We are delighted to invite you to exhibit at the forthcoming SEND Next Choices – Getting ready for adult life event on Tuesday 24th June 2025 at Leeds first direct arena. Organised by Leeds City…

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Leeds City College achieves NEBOSH Silver Learning Partner status

Leeds City College is proud to announce its recent accreditation as a Silver Learning Partner by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). Following a rigorous inspection audit in November, this prestigious upgrade from Bronze status highlights the college’s dedication to exceeding NEBOSH’s principles of learning excellence. Why Choose NEBOSH? NEBOSH, a globally…

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Bradford professor prepares to launch Space Tech Assembly

Businesses from this region and beyond can partake in ‘astronomical opportunities’ outlined at the forthcoming Space Tech Assembly in March, according to the University of Bradford professor who is set to open the event.  The conference, organised by Space Hub Yorkshire, the UK Space Agency-funded regional space cluster, will examine how space tech is evolving…

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Weidmann support upgrade to local children’s playground

Weidmann UK is thrilled to support its local community by contributing vital funds to the Parish Council. As a major employer in the region, Weidmann was approached to provide financial support to upgrade and improve the local children’s playground that had fallen into disrepair. The donation will contribute towards replacing outdated and worn-out surfaces with…

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Bradford seals £1m funding for 6G research projects

The University of Bradford has been awarded £1 million from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme to lead pioneering research into the socio-economic and sustainability impacts of disruptive technologies, including 6G networks and edge computing. Secured by a team of researchers at the University’s School of Management, the funding supports three ambitious projects—COP-PILOT, 6G-VERSUS,…

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Broadcaster fondly remembers Bradford student days

A news and sports broadcaster who has retired after more than 40 years says his time as a student at the University of Bradford stood him in good stead throughout his career.  Nick Powell, who studied BA Modern Languages, German and Russian at the University of Bradford between 1977 and 1981, has retired following a…

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Final days of Doggerland interactive map and animation

AI will help us find ‘goldilocks’ zone for human life Archaeologists from the University of Bradford have created an interactive simulation tool to chart the evolution (and demise) of Doggerland – the Ice Age landmass that once connected the UK to mainland Europe.  It is part of a project known as Unpath’d Waters, funded by…

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AI-powered eye surgery could mean the end for glasses post cataract surgery

CustomLensAi invited to join prestigious Microsoft for Startups Hub A revolutionary approach that uses AI to help improve cataract surgery outcomes could mean the majority of post-op patients no longer need glasses.  A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between visual computing experts at the University’s of Bradford’s School of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Electronics (CSAIE)…

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Topps Tiles partners with colleges to tackle national skills shortage

A new education partnership designed to boost the number of qualified tilers in the UK has been launched by Topps Tiles. The UK’s number one tile specialist is teaming up with Leeds College of Building and South & City College Birmingham to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The partnership comes in response to…

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Bradford academic set to address UN on nuclear disarmament

Dr Becky Alexis-Martin from the University of Bradford is set to speak at the United Nations in New York on nuclear disarmament in March.  The University of Bradford has also been formally registered as a supporting organisation of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Dr Alexis-Martin will also deliver a keynote speech at…

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Bradford College and Metalcraft Group confirm transformative engineering partnership

The opening of an industry-standard engineering suite at Bradford College’s Trinity Green Campus has brought students one step closer to their dream job in the industry. The brand new engineering facility is the result of a collaboration between Bradford-based metal fabrication and engineering company Metalcraft Group and Bradford College. The partnership means T Level Engineering students…

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York Learning’s ‘Jobs, Skills and Apprenticeships Fair’ to return in March

York Learning’s popular ‘Jobs, Skills and Apprenticeships Fair’ is back at York Barbican on Tuesday 11 March, with opportunities for around 80 exhibitors to meet some 1,000 people looking for work or training. The event is open to any employers, training providers and information, advice and guidance services in the York area, from 1pm –…

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Fake doctor who prescribed shampoo inspires play

The story of a man who falsely posed as a doctor for 30 years is the inspiration behind a new play produced by Theatre in the Mill, an arts organisation based on the University of Bradford campus. Muhammed Saeed treated thousands of patients from the practice he ran in Darfield Street, Manningham, Bradford, but he…

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Start a new career in child and family social work

The Step Up To Social Work programme at City of York Council opens for recruitment today [17 February] until 25 March, enabling aspiring social workers to apply for a place on the intensive but highly rewarding training programme. Step Up To Social Work is a 14-month, full-time training programme for talented graduates and career changers to become…

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Concrete technician nominated in national emerging talent award

A Bradford concrete technician has been shortlisted in a national industry awards scheme after making a positive contribution to the sector. Oscrete employee, Keiron Todd (25), made the top 10 national nominations for the concrete industry’s Emerging Talent Awards which recognise and reward the achievements and efforts of those in the early stage of their…

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Bradford City AFC crowned Apprenticeship Games 2025 champions

Bradford City AFC has been crowned winner of the third annual Bradford College Apprenticeship Games, marking National Apprenticeship Week (10th – 16th February). In partnership with CBRE, the action-packed event brings together teams of apprentices and their employers for a day of fun, themed challenges. Each squad competes for the coveted Apprenticeship Games title, while also celebrating the positive…

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Community projects to benefit from University-backed fund

Community projects will benefit from a £800,000 fund, part of a project which includes the University of Bradford. The Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund (CIYF) has launched as part of the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). Under CIYF, chosen community organisation projects from across Yorkshire and Humber will receive individual awards of up to…

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York celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

City of York Council is celebrating the value, benefits and opportunities apprenticeships bring to individuals and businesses during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) this week [10-16 February]. NAW will highlight how apprenticeships are an excellent option to consider for young people wishing to start a career, for employees looking to progress in their current role or…

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Leeds Beckett and ARC creating ‘digital golden thread’ for building safety

Digital construction experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are teaming up with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions to create an innovative new ‘digital golden thread’ to proactively address key recommendations for the construction sector – following the Grenfell tragedy – to ensure that fire prevention products are correctly installed by sub-contractors and developers on building sites….

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School pupils on campus for star-studded BBC festival

Stars from social media, television and radio were among the guests inspiring youngsters at an event held at the University of Bradford. The BBC Young Reporter Festival saw students aged 16 to 18 from schools across the Bradford district find out more about a potential career in the media.  They were given the chance to…

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‘AI lifeguard’ start-up wins international award

Deep Blue uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to track dozens of swimmers using existing camera networks and is already being trialled on beach and swimming pool environments in Dubai.  Karl, 44, who is now into his second year of the Executive MBA, won the prestigious Start-Up of the Year Award 2025 in the AMBA &…

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University’s community researchers programme will leave City of Culture legacy

A collaboration between the University of Bradford, University of Southampton and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture to train ‘community researchers’ as part of Bradford 2025’s legacy has been hailed a success.  The Community Researcher Training Programme, led by Gail Smith, Evaluation Manager for City of Culture, and Professor Karina Croucher, Academic Lead for Bradford…

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EY Foundation Work Experience Focus Group

Join EY Foundation’s Work Experience Focus Group for Local Businesses & Employers in the Bradford District Interested in sharing your views on the benefits or barriers to offering work experience in your organisation, and hearing perspectives from other local businesses? Join the EY Foundation’s Work Experience Focus Group for Local Businesses & Employers on Friday…

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Bank of England monetary policy expert to deliver lecture at Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University is delighted to welcome Dr. Catherine L. Mann, External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), to deliver the highly anticipated Economic Prospects Lecture on 11 February. Attendees will gain insights into the Bank’s latest Monetary Policy Report, to be released on 6 February. Catherine will address how the…

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Countdown presenter Susie Dent to appear at York Literature Festival 2025   

The York Literature Festival returns in March for a full month’s celebration of the written and spoken word.   Starting on Thursday 6 March, York St John University is proud to continue as the festival’s main sponsor, supporting its mission to promote local writers, groups and performers, as well as providing the community with an…

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Notre Dame alumnus shares Rolls Royce insights

On Friday 24th January Elijah Gatewood-Skeete returned to Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College to discuss his degree apprenticeship at Rolls Royce. Elijah left Notre Dame in 2023 and began at Rolls Royce in September 2024, on their highly competitive degree apprenticeship programme, where is one of just four other people. On Elijah’s apprenticeship, he…

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Applications open for grants and academic support for charities and community groups in Yorkshire

Yorkshire’s charities and social enterprises offered £10,000 grants and unique academic support package to boost their community work The successful Community Research Grants programme is open for 2025 applications  York St John University’s Institute for Social Justice (ISJ) is delighted to announce the launch of its 2025 Community Research Grants (CRG) programme. Now into its…

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How boxing can embrace AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a transformative role in sports such as boxing, according to a University of Bradford academic.  Dr Kamran Mahroof, Programme leader for MSc Applied AI and Data Analytics, and his PhD student, Saima Sammad, make the case for boxing’s potential use of AI. They propose that the use of AI in…

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York Learning rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted

York Learning – City of York Council’s Adult Learning provider – has been rated ‘good’ in a recent inspection by Ofsted. York Learning offers courses and programmes to help residents of all ages learn, explore and achieve and can play a key role in helping people to get into work or expanding their skills while in…

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Bradford College student to receive £150,000 business funding

A Bradford College student has been making waves in the business world with Microsoft pledging £150,000 funding towards digital infrastructure for his start-up. Abdul Rahman Majid’s innovative idea, ‘Kallabot’, was initially formed when he moved to Bradford and experienced difficulties trying to communicate with utility companies regarding bill payments. Kallabot is described as an ‘AI-powered call-centre solution’ which offers automated…

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‘We rowed the Atlantic’ – Par-oar-medics celebrate completing challenge

A trio of University of Bradford graduates are celebrating after completing an epic fundraising challenge. Ken Bordt, Tom Dowdy and Ethan Chapman – known as the Par-oar-medics – reached Antigua – the destination of their 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic. It took them 48 days, four hours and 17 minutes to complete the Talisker Whisky…

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Award-winning School of Management still tops the list

The University of Bradford’s award-winning School of Management, one of the top business schools in the world and one of only a handful to hold ‘triple accreditation’ from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, has been praised for equipping students with job-ready skills.  It is one of the oldest business schools in the country and remains one…

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Leeds Beckett University and Exemplas launch new blueprint for business productivity

Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with leading business support provider Exemplas, have designed a series of new approaches to boosting the productivity and growth of West Yorkshire SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering  grassroots SME business support programmes…

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University of Bradford: Different is what we do

The University of Bradford has launched a campaign – Different is what we do – to highlight how it makes a difference, improves students’ life chances and contributes to the economy.  From pioneering disruptive technologies and using the latest in AI and digital tech to offering an outstanding student experience and winning national plaudits for…

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“Is social media the reason you’re broke?” – insights from a data scientist

Is social media the reason you’re broke? – academic uses shocking personal experience to highlight hidden influence of social media on financial habits and mental wellbeing Dr Somdip Dey’s TEDxTalk selected as Editor’s Pick for a global audience  Dr Somdip Dey, Lecturer in Data Science at York St John University, has used the TEDx platform…

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Par-oar-medics near end of epic Atlantic challenge

An intrepid team of University of Bradford graduates are tackling the last leg of an epic fundraising challenge. Ken Bordt, Tom Dowdy and Ethan Chapman – known as the Par-oar-medics – now have less than 500 miles to go on the 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic. The trio have been tackling the Talisker Whisky Atlantic…

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Greenpower Kit Car Challenge launched across Bradford schools

School pupils across the region have the chance to build a battery-powered kit car and race in an epic grand finale following the launch of the 2025 ‘Bradford College Greenpower Challenge.’ The annual Challenge runs in partnership with Greenpower Education Trust to kickstart interest in engineering careers. The project helps to unlock potential and spark enthusiasm in young…

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TEDxLeeds Beckett University brings together leading voices in law, history, sports science, and art

Four leading minds from Leeds Beckett University are set to share their unique views on the challenges of living in our changing world at an upcoming free public event. TEDxLeeds Beckett University, an independently organised TEDx event, will take place on 12 February at Leeds School of Arts and will feature thought-provoking talks designed to…

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GSAL collaborates with Oxford research project to strengthen teacher retention

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is proud to contribute to two important research projects with the Department for Education at the University of Oxford. The latest collaboration, part of the ‘Five-year itch: retaining early career teachers’ project, focuses on developing strategies and technologies to help retain early career teachers, ensuring the future strength of…

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New year, new job? Visit Acomb Jobs Fair

Anyone looking for work, support with training or getting new qualifications is invited to the latest Acomb Jobs Fair on Wednesday (22 January). The event will be held from 11am – 2pm at Acomb Parish Church Hall, Front Street, YO24 3BZ, and will include representatives from a wide range of employers and employment agencies from…

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First ever regional awards celebrate excellence in infant feeding support

Winners of the inaugural Yorkshire and Humber Infant Feeding Awards were announced at a special ceremony at York St John University on Wednesday 15 January. The awards celebrated the impact of individuals and organisations across the region who play a pivotal role in providing families with infant feeding support. Hull’s St Stephen’s Shopping Centre scoops…

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