Leeds City College Celebrates Student Achievements

July 25, 2026 Off By

Annual awards highlight dedication across campuses

Leeds City College recently held a series of awards ceremonies recognising the accomplishments of its students during the 2025-26 academic year. These events, taking place throughout June and July, brought together learners and staff from various campuses to celebrate academic success, resilience, and personal development.

Star Awards mark a decade of recognising talent

On 8 July, the college hosted its tenth annual Star Awards, uniting Leeds City College, Leeds Sixth Form College, and Pudsey Sixth Form College. The event honoured students across multiple categories, with sponsorship from Reed Recruitment and FE Tech.

Among the recipients was Jaweria Nasim, an Access to Science student who received the Future Navigator award. Her journey included overcoming challenges that nearly led her to leave college, before securing a place to study Biomedical Science at the University of York.

Adult learner Heath Burton was awarded the Continued Development Award for returning to education after a 30-year career as a surveyor, aiming to pursue a new path in social care.

Other awards recognised achievements in STEM initiatives, community engagement, and artistic excellence. Bill Barton, Chair of the Leeds City College Board, delivered a closing speech, reflecting on the talent within the city.

Diana Bird, Executive Principal at Leeds City College since April 2026, attended her first Star Awards and commented on the diverse journeys of the students and the importance of celebrating their achievements.

Alf Cooke Awards celebrate student growth

On 23 June, the Alf Cooke Awards took place across the Printworks, Somerville House, and Temple Newsam campuses. The event acknowledged students’ hard work and commitment in various subject areas.

The ceremony began with a speech by Yorkshire chef Stephanie Moon, known for her appearance on BBC’s Great British Menu. Lee Pryor, Principal of the Printworks campus, emphasised that the awards recognise not only academic results but also resilience and personal development.

Sir George Martin Trust Awards support adult learners

The fifth Sir George Martin Trust awards ceremony was held on 24 June, focusing on Access to Higher Education adult learners. Six students from the Social Science and Health Science pathways were awarded £600 prizes in recognition of their efforts throughout the course.

Carla Marshall, Trust Manager of the Sir George Martin Trust, noted the inspiration drawn from the students’ stories and expressed hope that the financial awards would assist their future endeavours.