York deepening partnership with Lviv, Ukraine, with a focus on economic development and strategic collaboration
Following a high-level meeting between York City Council and Ukrainian representatives, both cities have identified key areas where shared expertise can bring mutual support. Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas recently welcomed Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and other Ukrainian delegates to discuss opportunities for joint initiatives. The meeting highlighted York’s strengths in transport, civil engineering, and links…
Details of Council’s first Passivhaus homes for shared ownership released
Details of shared ownership homes at Duncombe Square have been released today (27 August), meaning that the 200 people who have expressed an interest in them can consider taking the next step towards buying a home. Duncombe Square is City of York Council’s first Passivhaus development of 34 high quality, zero carbon-in-use homes, built to…
UN report on AI to launch at global conference in Bradford
A major new United Nations report calling for artificial intelligence (AI) to be used to support people, not take their place, will be launched at a global conference hosted by the University of Bradford. The Human Development Report 2025, produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will be a key focus of the annual…
Bradford College celebrates 100% pass rate successes
Bradford College students joined the hundreds of thousands opening their GCSE, BTec and Cambridge National results this week (Thurs, 21 August). While the GCSE pass rate has fallen again across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Bradford College is bucking the trend with some exceptional results. Overall, 67 courses for 16-18-year-olds had a 100% pass rate,…
York celebrates Key stage 4 (GCSE) students’ success
City of York Council education leaders have congratulated students across the city on their GCSE results today (Thursday 21 August). Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young people and Education, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the students who have received their GCSE and Key Stage 4 results today, and thank the…
71% of GCSEs at The Grammar School at Leeds awarded top 7/8/9 grades
Students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have achieved excellent exam results, with 71% of all GCSEs awarded the top grades of 7, 8 or 9 (A/A*). 49% of entries were awarded grade 8 or above, and 25% awarded grade 9. GSAL’s GCSE Class of 2025 includes a GB swimmer, an international hockey player…
Your future starts here: Explore Foundation Year options at Bradford
Prospective students have been encouraged to enrol on a Foundation Year programme at the University of Bradford from this September. The Foundation Year, available through Clearing, is a pre-degree access programme which provides people with a basis for future full-time undergraduate study at the University of Bradford. This one-year course is designed for students…
TRU wraps up seven consecutive weekends of upgrade work
On Sunday (August 17), engineers completed a series of railway upgrades between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds following seven consecutive weekends of work, as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade. The work included major structural enhancements to bridges across West Yorkshire with progress made on the reconstruction of the A62 Leeds Road bridge in Deighton…
Pioneering mental health partnership goes from strength to strength
2025 is turning into a landmark year for Converge, the partnership between York St John University and mental health service providers that offers educational opportunities to adults who use mental health services. Now celebrating its 17th year, Converge has: won the Educate North Award for Community Engagement for the first time welcomed its largest intake…
First-ever T-level students celebrate success at Bradford College
Bradford College marked this year’s Level 3 results day (Thursday, 14 August) with an exciting milestone – the completion of its first-ever group of T-level students. The talented bunch has shown what dedication and hard work can achieve, with a 100% T-level pass rate (compared to a national pass rate of 91.4%), and 80% of students…
Proud student nurse mum calls on others to follow her Clearing path
A mum-of-three is urging others to apply for nursing through Clearing, after transforming her life by joining the University of Bradford’s Adult Nursing course. Bethany Higgins, 31, had spent years working as a healthcare assistant in a GP practice, juggling part-time hours and family life. But last August, she decided to pursue her dream of…
An Outstanding Results Day 2025
Well done to all of our Upper Sixth cohort who collected their results today – it’s been another exceptional year! We are proud to announce that our class of 2025 Notre Dame students have once again received outstanding results in their Level 3 qualifications, across A-levels, BTECs and CTECs, and T Levels. Some of this year’s…
York celebrates A Level students’ success
City of York Council education leaders are congratulating students who have received their A Level, T level and post 16 vocational results today (Thursday 14 August). Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education said: “Today is a great opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements of so many…
Impact Hub Yorkshire launches first zero-rate product to the UK social investment market
A new zero-rate funding product has entered the UK social investment market. The product, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was developed by Kamran Rashid, CEO of Impact Hub Yorkshire, following consultation with organisations and social enterprises most affected by financial exclusion. The Local Access Bradford District (LABD) programme, which…
Bradford named University of the Year for Social Inclusion
The University of Bradford is today named as University of the Year for Social Inclusion in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026. The University is also shortlisted for overall UK University of the Year 2026 and its ranking has increased to 42nd in the country (up from 48 in the 2025 guide and 49 in…
Coding your future by joining the AI revolution
People can be at the forefront of the ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution’ by studying Computer Science at the University of Bradford. With AI transforming how we work, learn, and communicate, the demand for skilled professionals is soaring. The University’s Computer Science programmes equip students with the knowledge, technical skills and adaptability needed to thrive in…
62% of A-levels at The Grammar School of Leeds awarded top grades of A/A*
Students at The Grammar School at Leeds have achieved exceptional A-level results, with 62% of A-levels awarded top A/A* grades. Seven pupils secured places at Oxbridge to study subjects including engineering, law, classics and medicine, two of whom, Anna and Claire, each achieved four A*s. Over 80 of the cohort (190 students) achieved top grades…
York’s new hub for children and young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities gets new name
SEND CENTRAL has been chosen as the name for York’s new city hub for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Local children and young people with SEND were asked to take part in a competition to come up with a title for the new hub at Clifton Family Hub earlier…
New era of support: Leeds Mencap announced as Lord Mayor’s official charity for 2025-2026
Image Credit: Lee Call Photography & Film Leeds Mencap, a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex needs in the city, has been officially selected as the charity for the term in office of the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen. This is set to significantly…
‘Intense competition’ for UK power connections creating uncertainty despite growing infrastructure opportunities
Turner & Townsend is advising clients to focus attention on navigating the impacts of a lengthening ‘connection queue’, as electricity grid reform and investment simultaneously create infrastructure demand and market uncertainty. The global professional services company’s Summer 2025 UK Construction Market Intelligence report (UKMI) predicts infrastructure tender values will rise at a faster pace than…
Community leader Dennis Robbins recognised with honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University
Dennis Robbins received his award for his outstanding service to the city. The award celebrates Dennis’ exceptional and inspiring leadership of The Hunslet Club, one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing youth organisations, along with his lifelong commitment to helping young people reach their potential. Dennis first joined The Hunslet Club as a member in…
TPE customers set to be kept on the move during major TRU work thanks to upgraded Huddersfield diversionary route
TransPennine Express (TPE) will increase the number of services on a key diversionary route between Manchester and Leeds to three trains per hour from last weekend, keeping passengers moving while the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) continues to transform the railway. The uplift in services on the Calder Valley route, between Manchester Victoria and Mirfield via…
Celebrations in Bradford as £5m affordable homes development reaches completion
Special guests including Manningham Housing Association (MHA) residents, project partners, board members and staff joined together at Eccleshill in Bradford for the official opening of the BME organisation’s stunning new £5 million affordable homes scheme. The ribbon was cut by MHA Chair Rupert Pometsey, supported by Councillor Ian Paterson, who represents the Eccleshill ward in…
New research-informed podcast series launched to help boost SME productivity
A new joint podcast series from Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and business support experts Exemplas is bringing research-led insights to business owners and policy makers – offering practical, real-world advice on how to drive productivity and sustainable growth. The six-part series of bite-sized, accessible episodes are focussed on what really makes a difference when it…
TPE adds more services to support national Armed Forces celebrations in Cleethorpes this weekend
TransPennine Express (TPE) will be running extra services and providing more seats this weekend to support customers travelling to Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day. The popular three-day event, recently chosen as the national celebration, will take place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June and is expected to draw large crowds to the coastal town,…
GSAL Principal wins national Headteacher of the Year award
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to announce that Principal, Sue Woodroofe, has been named Headteacher of the Year (Independent) at the Tes Schools Awards 2025. The awards ceremony, which took place in London on Friday 20 June, celebrates the very best in education across the UK’s state and independent sectors. Known as…
Planning approved for student accommodation at the Merrion Centre
Major milestone reached in the next phase of the Merrion Centre’s evolution Leeds-based property investor and developer, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has received planning approval from Leeds City Council for a landmark student accommodation scheme at the Merrion Centre, further cementing the centre’s position as a dynamic, mixed-use city destination. The approved plans will…
LBU Impact Series: Leeds Beckett research team partners with urgent care provider IC24 to tackle stress in NHS 111 call centres
A new research-driven collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and urgent and primary healthcare provider Integrated Care 24 (IC24) is using innovative technology and psychological science to improve staff wellbeing and reduce stress for NHS 111 call handlers. The three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project, part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK, brings…
Plans to transform York city centre come under the spotlight at York Festival of Ideas
York Festival of Ideas in partnership with LNER is offering York residents and visitors an exciting opportunity to find out more about the major developments taking place in the city centre. The free event York: A 21st-century rail hub on Saturday 7 June will turn the spotlight on the York Station Gateway project, which is…
Leeds Beckett University celebrates reaccreditation of prestigious Small Business Charter Award
Leeds Beckett University has been reaccredited after a recent assessment, recognising the ongoing impact of its work supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship and local economic growth. The award, granted by the Charter Association of Business Schools and the Small Business Charter, places Leeds Beckett among a select group of UK universities acknowledged for their deep…
College’s £17m building hits milestone as steel frame completed
The four-storey steel frame of Bradford College’s new £17 million building is now in place—marking a key step in transforming the Thornton Road site. Led by Morgan Sindall, the new Junction Mills building will offer students specialist training in motor vehicle, advanced electrical, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, vital in supporting the growth of low-carbon skills…
Bradford to open joint college with university in China
The University of Bradford has announced a new international joint college with one of China’s leading research technology universities. The Yangzhou University–University of Bradford Joint College of Advanced Manufacturing will welcome its first students in September 2025. Based entirely in China, the Joint College, which has been formally approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education,…
Sporting chance for active schools scheme thanks to new £4m investment
An initiative to encourage Bradford children to become more active has received a huge boost thanks to a £4 million investment from Sport England. Over the next three years, the JU:MP (Join Us Move and Play) programme will work with children and their families from across the district to help improve physical activity levels. The…
Bradford College connects to Energy Network in Net Zero Push
Work to connect Bradford College to the £70m Bradford Energy Network is officially underway, marking a significant move away from fossil fuels and towards achieving Net Zero. Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source. Underground pipes carry hot water to buildings on a network, enabling the rapid decarbonisation of…
Is the air we share a toxic soup of invisible pollutants?
The Air We Share is a Pint of Science talk that offers a fascinating insight into the one thing we all cannot live without – air. Cell Biologist/ Pharmacologist Dr Jacobo Elies from the University of Bradford lifts the lid on the toxins we breathe on a daily basis. He says: “Pollutants are everywhere but most…
GSAL Nursery to welcome 2-year-olds from September 2025
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to announce that from September 2025, its nursery will begin welcoming children from the age of two, marking an exciting new chapter in the school’s early years provision. This expansion reflects GSAL’s commitment to supporting families from the earliest stages of their child’s education, offering a nurturing…
Bradford City Centre sees positive growth as footfall rises 25% in early 2025
Bradford City Centre is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with both footfall and dwell time on the rise following a challenging year for local businesses. The Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), which represents almost 600 member businesses in the city centre, closely monitors a range of performance indicators. Figures from the first quarter of 2025…
Bradford’s historic Little Germany sets its sights on a new chapter
Following the completion of a successful round of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a team led by Impact Hub Bradford has revealed plans to regenerate the city’s historic mercantile quarter, Little Germany. Home to 55 Grade 2 Listed buildings, the area is home to one of the most remarkable heritage destinations in the…
£700k investment in University computer science labs
The University of Bradford’s Computer Science labs have officially opened following a £700,000 makeover. The refurbishment has created five state-of-the-art functional labs in the University’s Horton D building, providing students with the best learning environment possible and increasing capacity to allow for future growth. Cutting-edge facilities Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford,…
Further investment in York’s city centre
York’s historic city centre is set to be ready for the next, and future, millennia. With funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, the council and its partners will reimagine the city centre and develop a ‘city centre spatial plan’ (known as Reimagining York Streets, to tell a new story about the city centre)….
Funding delivers upgrades to 11 community buildings in York
The impact of funding to safeguard the future of community spaces in York’s outer wards was highlighted at a celebration held last Friday (28 March) in Bishopthorpe. In partnership with Community First Yorkshire, City of York Council has supported 11 venues through the Community Buildings Fund, worth a total £133,059. The programme has also benefited from…
York is saying ‘Yes to Quit’ with new smoking campaign
York is saying ‘Yes to Quit’ with a new smoking campaign. The Yes to Quit campaign has launched across TV, radio, transport links and social media this week, throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. It asks audiences ‘what will you miss?’ more than smoking, such as weddings, births or quality time with others – two in…
Neurodiversity celebration week: York schools accredited as ‘ADHD friendly’ as part of citywide support for students with neurodiversity
Eight York schools have been accredited as ‘ADHD friendly’ as part of a citywide commitment to support neurodiverse children and young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Awarded by the ADHD Foundation*, the schools were accredited as ADHD friendly because they committed to making their schools safe, nurturing, welcoming and exciting places,…
New expert report published to share practical advice for growing local economies
Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with leading business support provider Exemplas, have designed a new blueprint for boosting the growth of local economies, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering grassroots business support programmes to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) on behalf of the…
Local social workers recognised in national ‘Amazing Social Worker’ awards
City of York Council is proud to announce that 15 of its social workers have each received a nationwide award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the social work profession. ‘Amazing Social Workers’ is a campaign run by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and champions exceptional work across the profession. The awards…
Nature-inspired bench art revealed ahead of Front Street celebration event
Art of Protest has installed the first phase of new artwork in Acomb ahead of the mural reveal and celebration event later this month. Each of the 8 wooden benches have been transformed with a unique design to reflect links to nature. Each bench is painted with a leaf design from the local woodland. This…
Magistrates charge company guilty of fly posting £5,400
A local company illegally putting up posters in and around York has been found guilty by York Magistrate’s Court and ordered to pay £5,421. Between July and October 2024, a large number of posters appeared in and around York and were reported to City of York Council. The notices were A1 (roughly 60 x 84centimetres),…
GSAL student joins prestigious Children’s Commissioner youth ambassador programme
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is proud to celebrate the achievement of sixth form student, Naemi Asmerom, who has been appointed as one of only 17 youth ambassadors nationally for the Children’s Commissioner for England, following a highly competitive selection process. The youth ambassador programme, led by Dame Rachel de Souza DBE, provides young…