Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group serves the education and skills needs of the Yorkshire region from its Colleges in Castleford, Selby and Wakefield.

The Group was formed following the merger of Selby College and Wakefield College on 1st March 2022.

The Group offers an expansive range of post-16 provision, apprenticeships, higher education, adult qualifications and distance learning, through its wide variety of full and part-time courses. It also works closely with employers locally, regionally and nationally to deliver work-based training programmes to meet existing and future skills shortages.

Across its three Colleges, the Group serves approximately 10,000+ full-time students, with more than 2,000 Higher Education students and Apprentices. With a combined turnover of £36 million, the Group currently employs more than 890 teaching and support staff.

SUPPORTING YOUR SUCCESS

Feel Safe, Be Safe - You can talk to us about anything... Bullying, harassment, violent or coercive relationships, abuse, drugs, home issues, homeless, sexual harassment or violence, exploitation, mental health. We're here to help and support you.

Safeguarding Support - If you feel unsafe in any way, please tell a member of staff. You can do this by calling in Student Central, or contact our Group Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Young Adult Carers - If you are caring for a family member at home, our Carer Lead can work with you to make adjustments to support you in College to ensure you succeed with us.

Student Wellbeing Officers - If you feel overwhelmed either at college or by problems at home or you just need some support, whatever the reason, our Student Wellbeing Officers are here for you. Our team work closely with students and other services both in College and outside of College. The team can support via 1:1s, small groups, corridor chats and a variety of other drop-in opportunities, such as Wellbeing Wednesday, time to talk cafes, C-Card registrations and more.

Student Experience Support Leaders - Were here to see that you adapt well to College life and receive the support that you need to make the most of your studies. If you have any questions, queries or would like to speak to someone about anything to do with your time at College, you can contact one of our Support Leaders.

Financial Support - Providing information and confidential advice on student financial support in Further and Higher Education. This includes information on the 16-18 Bursaries, Discretionary Learner Support (for students aged 19+ including childcare costs), Advanced Learning Loans and Bursaries, Care to Learn and free College meals.

Attendance Matters - We expect 100% attendance to all lessons on your timetable and this will give you the best chance of success on your course. You can check your attendance through ProMonitor, and if you have any queries or need any support this can be raised with our attendance team in Student Central.

Careers Information and Guidance - For advice on these questions and/or your future options, the Careers Information and Guidance team is available to support you. 

Choice: We offer an expansive range of post-16 provision, Apprenticeships, Higher Education, Adult qualifications and Distance Learning and together, we will continue to expand this offer - meaning greater opportunity and the ability for students to stay with us to progress.

Expertise: We take the very best practice from colleagues across our Colleges and combine it to enhance students’ experiences inside the classroom and outside. We believe this will result in better results for our students, improved progression opportunities and career enhancement.

Resources: By being part of a larger group, more funding will be available for our students and Apprentices, meaning we can further invest in equipment and facilities, student support services and the teaching and learning experience. We’re also creating additional opportunities for enrichment and developing life skills, such as inter-college sport, master classes, guest speakers and so much more.

Facilities: As separate organisations, both Colleges have invested heavily in creating real-world learning environments and teaching spaces in recent years. As a Group, this investment will continue to ensure our learners have access to the highest-quality facilities.

Support: We will continue to share proven expertise in quality improvement, ensuring that students across our communities can access a high-quality learning experience with excellent standards of support.

Community: Our Colleges work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and partners and are integral hubs within their local communities and collectively, we will play an even bigger role in addressing social exclusion and raising aspirations by providing inclusive opportunities.

Wakefield and Castleford Transport

Leeds, Pontefract and Barnsley have great transport links to Wakefield with a choice of train or bus. Look at our map opposite. 

16-18 PhotoCard - If you're a full-time student, you can get half-fare travel in West Yorkshire. Available from major bus stations or online at wymetro.com  

Feeling lost? - There are detailed directions to all our campuses on our website: www.wakefield.ac.uk/get-in-touch 

Selby College Transport

If you are unable to find a service which is suitable for you, please contact Student Services for advice on 01757 211040 or email info@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk

Once you have applied to Selby College, we will send you details of how to get a bus pass, where your nearest pick up point is and answer any questions you may have. You may be eligible for financial support which can help cover the cost of your travel to and from College. 

All bus services are provided by Arrive except the College Minibus. 

Alongside our excellent travel links, we also have ample parking on-site. Student permits can be obtained at a very low cost for the whole academic year. 

Additional Learning Support:

What is Skills Support?

Additional Learning Support covers anything a student needs to succeed on their course. This could include:

• Study Skills

• Exam Preparation

• Revision Technique

• Assignment Skills

• Support for Literacy, Numeracy or English as a Second Language (ESOL)

When you start accessing Additional Learning Support, you will work with your support tutor to ensure that you receive the right support to complete and succeed on your course.

If you have a learning difficulty or disability your tutor will work on special strategies and techniques that meet your needs, for example - time management and organisational skills.

How we support our SEN learners

Meet and Greet

To begin the day students are met at reception to help them prepare for the day. They are then guided to where they need to be for the first lesson

In class Support

Students are supported in class by a Learning Support Practitioner (LSP). They guide students to access their learning to the best of their ability.

1-1 sessions/Workshops

A team of Learning Support Tutors (LSTs) offer 1-1 or small group sessions to consolidate learning and help to bridge the gap in their learning. These are offered on a weekly basis.

Drop in Sessions

Lunchtime drop in sessions are available where students can use the hub to catch up on assignments or homework and get support.

Break and Lunch Duty

LSPs are available during break and lunch time in the refectory so all students have somewhere and someone to sit with and talk to along with their peers.