Leeds City College Celebrates Student Achievements

Recognition events highlight dedication across campuses

Leeds City College held a series of awards ceremonies during June and July 2026 to acknowledge the accomplishments of its students throughout the 2025-26 academic year. These events brought together learners from various campuses and courses to celebrate their hard work and progress.

Star Awards Ceremony

The annual Star Awards took place on 8 July, marking the tenth year of the event. It was a joint celebration involving Leeds City College, Leeds Sixth Form College, and Pudsey Sixth Form College. The ceremony was sponsored by Reed Recruitment and FE Tech.

Bill Jones, CEO of Luminate Education Group, the parent organisation of the colleges, described the awards as “the highlight of the academic year.” Diana Bird, Executive Principal at Leeds City College, who started her role in April 2026, addressed attendees during her first Star Awards event. She emphasised the diverse paths students had taken and the importance of celebrating their achievements.

A range of awards were presented, including:

• Future Navigator Award: Awarded to Jaweria Nasim, an Access to Science student, recognising her resilience in overcoming challenges to secure a place to study Biomedical Science at the University of York.
• Continued Development Award: Presented to adult student Heath Burton for returning to education after 30 years as a surveyor and pursuing a career change into social care.
• Other awards covered categories such as STEM Initiative, Community Connection, and Artistry Excellence.

Bill Barton, Chair of the Leeds City College Board, gave a closing speech expressing his inspiration from the event and praising the talent within Leeds. The evening concluded with staff and guests engaging in networking and discussions reflecting on student achievements.

Alf Cooke Awards

On 23 June, the Alf Cooke Awards ceremony took place, recognising learners from the Printworks, Somerville House, and Temple Newsam campuses. The event celebrated student commitment and progress across various subject areas.

Stephanie Moon, a Yorkshire chef and former BBC Great British Menu contestant, delivered the opening speech. Lee Pryor, Principal of Printworks campus, highlighted the significance of the awards in recognising not only academic results but also resilience and personal development among students ranging from apprentices to adult learners.

Sir George Martin Trust Awards

The fifth Sir George Martin Trust Awards ceremony was held on 24 June, focusing on Access to Higher Education adult learners. Six students from Social Science and Health Science pathways were commended for their efforts and each received a £600 prize from the trust, which supports charities and individuals in West Yorkshire.

Carla Marshall, Trust Manager for the Sir George Martin Trust, noted the continued inspiration drawn from the students’ stories and expressed hope that the cash prizes would assist their future endeavours.

As the 2025-26 academic year concludes, Leeds City College looks ahead to further recognising student achievements in the coming year.