North Street Campus Hosts Fifth Annual International Day

Students and community come together to celebrate culture and inclusion

Leeds City College’s North Street campus marked its fifth annual International Day on 16 June 2026, coinciding with Refugee Week. The event brought together students, staff, local organisations, and civic leaders to celebrate cultural diversity and promote inclusion within the college community.

Event highlights and activities

International Day at North Street campus has become a significant occasion, particularly as the site hosts the college’s specialist ESOL provision for 16 to 19-year-olds. The programme supports young people in developing their English language skills, achieving qualifications in English and maths, and progressing to further education or employment.

The newly appointed Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Steven Holroyd, attended the event as part of his early community engagement visits. Various local organisations and charities, including Forward Leeds, The King’s Trust, and My Place, hosted information stalls offering students access to support services and progression opportunities across Leeds.

Students led a variety of cultural displays and activities, showcasing international food, art, music, and performances. A staff band, “Dance to the Beat North Street,” was formed specifically for the occasion. Additionally, O’delices D’Appo, an African cuisine and French pastry business based in Leeds Kirkgate Market, contributed food donations, enabling a shared tasting experience featuring dishes from around the world.

Recognition and student achievements

During the event, North Street campus was awarded Leeds City College’s Climate Cup, recognising it as the college’s most sustainable campus and acknowledging its commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.

One of the ESOL students, Zahra, presented her award-winning poem at the event. Zahra won the Sanctuary Foundation’s Art and Poetry competition in the key stage 5 category. The competition is run in partnership with the British Library, where winning entries are displayed. Zahra attended the prize-giving ceremony at the British Library on 15 June, where her poem was read by actor Juliet Stevenson.

Community response and future plans

The event received positive feedback from those who attended. One student commented: “We have a lot of countries represented here. It’s very multicultural. We’ve eaten some nice food with our friends and had a great time together.”

As the North Street campus marks five years of International Day, preparations are already underway for the next event, continuing the college’s efforts to foster cultural understanding and community engagement.