Last week, we hosted an incredible event in conjunction with Read Holmfirth to celebrate international bestselling author, Philippa Gregory’s book ‘Normal Women’.
Philippa attended the event, and spoke all about her book and experiences as an author to students from Greenhead College and 9 other local secondary schools.
In advance of the event, students from GC and each other schools researched the lives of ‘normal women’ from Yorkshire. They then had the fantastic opportunity of presenting their findings to Philippa herself during the event.
GC’s presentation was delivered by Saoirse and Violet who researched local author, Jennifer Saint, who they were both very inspired by. Some of the other talks by other schools covered women such as Helen Sharman (astronaut), Jodie Whitaker (actor) and Annie Kenney (suffragette).
It was a very inspirational day, Philippa answered lots of the students’ questions and has hopefully inspired them to read more.
Staff and students at Greenhead College are celebrating as the College, once again, achieves “Outstanding” status in all six key judgement areas in its latest Ofsted inspection – a status it has held and maintained since its very first report in 2004.
The rigorous four-day inspection was the College’s first under the recently updated Ofsted framework, which emphasises the importance of the provider’s contribution to the skills agenda. The College was deemed “Strong” for its contribution to meeting skills needs, detailing that “Senior leaders and governors ensure that teachers focus explicitly on the skills that employers value highly, such as communication, resilience and critical thinking”, using examples such as “in economics, students use common data analysis software to develop their technical and digital skills and practise critical analysis and coding.”
The report recognises the College’s exceptional students, quoting
“Students’ attendance, behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They arrive to lessons punctually and eager to learn.”
The report also praises students’ contribution to the College’s inclusive, kind and tolerant community.
Staff members were praised throughout the report, citing that
“students benefit from expert teachers who use their extensive skills and passion for their subjects to spark students’ interest and curiosity.”
It also commented that safeguarding procedures at the College are effective, and students feel safe at Greenhead, due to the “care and expertise of staff.”
The College’s “expertly designed tutorial programme” and its “rich and comprehensive enrichment programme” were also commended.
Mo Bunter, Principal at Greenhead College commented “As Principal of Greenhead College, I am incredibly proud of our Ofsted inspection that took place in February 2025. Maintaining Outstanding in all judgement areas and securing Strong for the College’s contribution to meeting skills needs, reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of all staff. It demonstrates the level of support and opportunities afforded to our students, to enable them to achieve to their full potential.”
Mo then went on to say that “the purpose of the College is to ‘Be exceptional’, in essence what this means is that we expect leaders, teachers, tutors, support staff and students to be the best version of themselves that they can. We know that this is not always possible, but what is important is that when it doesn’t go to plan, reflection takes place, support is sought and we adapt what we do. This continuous improvement model is key to the longevity of Greenhead College being outstanding since its first inspection in 2004.
As you will see from the report, Greenhead College has a focus on developing resilient, well rounded respectful young people who are effectively prepared for their next steps, whether that is university, apprenticeships or employment.”
Richard Armstrong, Chair of Governors echoed Mo’s comments whilst also saying “the success is testament to the talented and hardworking staff, committed students and a Governing Body and College Leadership Team who consider students and staff at the heart of key strategic decisions, ensuring that the College is proactive, outward facing and innovative in approach. Like students, the whole College strives to be ‘the best version’ of itself every day.”
Our A1 Economics and Geography students recently enjoyed a talk from Sam Sharp, manager at Huddersfield BID. Sam spoke to students about BID’s work to help increase footfall in the town centre, from events to street rangers to graffiti removal. Students then had the opportunity to ask Sam their questions and find out more about Sam’s work.⠀ ⠀ Commenting on the talk, A1 Economics student Ife said “It was really interesting because I’ve never heard of BIDs before and would have thought it was part of the council/what the council do. It was nice to see what they do and the economics behind making the community better.”⠀ ⠀ This talk will help bring to life various economic ideas coming up in lessons, such as the multiplier effect.
We are delighted to share that Greenhead College has been shortlisted for two awards in the Educate North Awards 2025.
The Educate North Awards is a prestigious event which celebrates and recognises, excellence in the education sector. The winners will be revealed at a special awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd April 2025.
Greenhead College has been shortlisted in the following categories:
The FE College of the Year award – an award to honour the leading further education institution within the North of United Kingdom.
Liverpool Hope Prize; Outstanding Achievement for Social Mobility – an award which recognises institutions that have championed, encouraged or engaged in promoting social mobility, diversity or attainment to Higher Education for students (of any age) from lower or fixed income backgrounds.
Mo Bunter, Principal at Greenhead College commented:
“I am incredibly proud that Greenhead College has been shortlisted for both the Outstanding Achievement for Social Mobility and Further Education College of the Year Awards.
The underpinning philosophy of the College is to maximise opportunities to all our students and those of our Local Partner Schools. We are an innovative College that achieves outstanding outcomes for learners, through an inclusive and personalised approach to learning. This ensures that all students have equal opportunity to maximise their potential.
The College works closely with our eleven Local Partner Schools to raise aspirations, and by providing them with skills to be more successful at Key Stage 4, whilst also helping to better prepare them for their next steps, whatever they may be.
Our Believe and Achieve programme affords disadvantaged students with additional support to ensure they are effectively prepared to fulfil their potential academically, whilst helping them to secure their first-choice destination after College. This is achieved through a suite of opportunities to better prepare them for those next steps.
Not only do these students achieve outcomes in line with their peers, they also secure their preferred choice destination. It is a whole team approach, that is sophisticatedly crafted by Jo Prophet, the College’s Lead for our Believe and Achieve programme.”
