Greenhead welcomes leading industry figure, Chris Tams as Guest Speaker

Last week, students from our Music, Film Studies and Business courses had the pleasure of listening to leading industry figure, Chris Tams deliver a talk about his career as Director of Membership and International at the British Phonographic Institute (BPI).

Organised through ‘Speakers for Schools’, Chris’s talk covered various topics including more information about the work of the British Phonographic Institute, which is the Trade Association for Record Labels in the UK accounting for 85% of all sold music in the UK, its work organising the BRIT Awards, how they manage their clients, how they track music growth and trends and more.

It was a really insightful talk and incredibly worthwhile for our students with a keen interest in the music and tech industry and how it runs behind the scenes.

Thank you to Chris Tams for taking the time to come into College and to Speakers for Schools for helping organise the event.

A2 student Nick develops app for RSPCA

A bespoke app, created for the RSPCA by A2 student Nick Marshall, has been commended by the charity and will be launched to the public later this spring.

Nick, who is hoping to go into a career in Software Engineering, developed the majority of the ideas for the app during the College’s Step Into Your Future week in June 2023, alongside his peers, but has since taken the development of the app further, working closely with the RSPCA representatives to get a full understanding of what features they required. After months of hard work (alongside his studies), Nick reached the final goal, a point where the local RSPCA have now taken delivery of the app and are now in the stages of rebranding it for an official release.

When asked about the features the app has, Nick said “The app has been designed to allow for better and easier communication between the local RSPCA and its supporters and volunteers. It features an updates tab, where users can be notified of things happening within the local RSPCA, an events tap where users can view upcoming events and all the event information, a maps tab to allow users to see nearby RSPCA branches, and an animals tab where the RSPCA can post photos of animals that either need a home or are being rehomed.”

Fay Gibbons and Lauren Moore from the RSPCA have both showered the app with praise, stating “We’ve launched it in-house with our staff and volunteers who think it’s amazing and you’ve really opened up our eyes to this new communication tool that can seriously benefit our charity!”

They have even published an article on their website publicly thanking Nick for his hard work on the app – https://www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk/news/thank-you-nick-greenhead-college-huddersfield/

A very worthwhile use of Computer Science skills and a great way of networking with a local business and the community, all while building up a portfolio. Excellent work Nick!

Greenhead College launches Higher Education Extension 2024

The first of 5 twilight academic sessions for the Higher Education Extension Scheme took place at Greenhead College last Tuesday 9th January.

As a hub for the scheme, we were delighted to host the event which welcomed students from Greenhead College as well as other schools/colleges in Kirklees and Calderdale.

The Higher Education Extension is a collaborative programme between Cambridge University and various Colleges across the UK with the aim of building subject specific knowledge on a topic that isn’t on the A Level syllabus, widening their knowledge, building confidence in their own abilities, raising aspirations and helping develop skills necessary for undergraduate study.

15 different subject talks were delivered by Greenhead College staff and Leeds University in a range of disciplines including Architecture, Biology/Medicine, Business & Leadership, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Geography & Environmental, History, Law, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages, Physics/Engineering, Politics and Psychology.

The next event will take place on Tuesday 6 February.

Student Success as Donnell signs for Huddersfield Town Football Club

Photo credit: HTAFC Photographer, Will Early

We’re delighted to share that A2 student Donnell Garrick has signed for Huddersfield Town Under-19s Football Club following the successful completion of his trial period.

This is both an incredible achievement and opportunity for Donnell, who was scouted for the club whilst playing in the FA Youth Cup for semi-professional team, Emley AFC.

Donnell currently studies A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physical Education at Greenhead College and, until his signing, was an integral member of the Greenhead College Football Team. Whilst he is now ineligible to play for the College, he still supports the team every Wednesday.

Head of Academy Recruitment Lee Mellor commented: “Donnell has applied himself very well during his trial period with us and has earned this longer opportunity with us. He’s clearly got talent, but now the hard work with our coaches begins for him daily!

Following the completion of his A Levels in the summer, Donnell will then sign a one-year professional contract with the club.

Congratulations, Donnell, on your remarkable success. We are excited to see where your football career takes you.