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Crufts 2026 Spotlight: Student Ellie and Winnie the Border Terrier Steal the Show!

Posted on by Carly Granger

One of our A1 students, Ellie, had an incredible experience earlier this month as she competed at Crufts alongside her furry companion, Winnie. Known as the world’s largest international dog show, Crufts took place from Thursday 5 March to Sunday 8 March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Ellie and Winnie stepped into the spotlight on Friday 6 March, an exciting day dedicated to Border Terrier judging.

Winnie is a Border Terrier who’s full of personality! Ellie describes her as one of a kind – super obedient, really caring, and amazingly intuitive, always seeming to know exactly how Ellie is feeling. Winnie also goes by the show name ‘Cupids Bat Out Of Hell’, which perfectly matches her unique look, as Winnie has a white, heart-shaped marking on her chest, making her truly one of a kind.

Friday 6 March, was a busy day for the pair as Winnie was entered in two Border Terrier categories: the female Puppy Class and the female Junior Class. Despite Winnie’s outstanding showing, unfortunately, she did not place at Crufts 2026. The competition was tough, with over 20 international dogs competing, but for Ellie, the experience meant everything. “I really enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere and having my mum by my side, with my family watching,” she said.

Ellie’s passion for competing runs in the family. Her grandmother has always enjoyed Crufts and even competed there, and her mother has been by Ellie’s side every step of the way. Ellie has always loved Border Terriers, so she bred Winnie with the show ring in mind. Winnie’s dad is also a show dog, giving her strong roots in the world of competitions.

Over the past 8 to 9 months, Ellie and Winnie have been dedicated to training, building their skills and confidence together. They’ve taken part in Ringcraft classes, which are smaller practice competitions, as well as Open Shows. While these don’t qualify them for Crufts, they’ve been vital in helping Ellie and Winnie gain experience and prepare for the big stage. Ellie and Winnie are looking forward to an exciting summer, hoping to compete at The Royal Windsor Championship Dog Show and The Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship Dog Show which are both Crufts qualifiers.

Ellie is excited to hopefully pursue a future in veterinary, turning her love for dogs into a rewarding career where her passions and ambitions come together perfectly.

Cleaner

Posted on by Claire Owens

Working hours:

Role 1                          12.5 hours per week – 52 Weeks per year

                                     4.00pm to 6.30pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

                                     3.00pm – 5.30pm Wednesday

Role 2                           10 hours per week – 52 Weeks per year

                                      4.00pm – 6.00pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

                                      3.00pm – 5.00pm Wednesday

Role 3                           15 hours per week – 52 Weeks per year

                                      4.00pm – 7.00pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

                                      3.00pm – 6.00pm Wednesday

Application closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026

For more information including how to apply for this role, please see the information below.

College Community Raises Over £1,600 for the British Heart Foundation

Posted on by Carly Granger

Students and staff came together in a powerful display of community spirit ahead of the February half-term, as the College hosted its annual Charity Day alongside a month-long Charity Football Tournament.

The events proved to be a resounding success, with participants showing remarkable enthusiasm and generosity throughout February. Aptly, all fundraising activities took place during Heart Month, adding even greater significance to the College’s efforts in support of heart health. Thanks to these collective efforts, an impressive total of £1,671.30 has been raised for the British Heart Foundation.

This year’s chosen charity holds a particularly special place within the College community. The idea to support the British Heart Foundation was put forward by tutor Diane Beavan, following her family’s personal experience. After the charity played a vital role in giving her husband the opportunity to undergo life-changing heart surgery, it became a cause close to their hearts. Since then, Diane and her family have continued to raise funds for the charity and will be taking on the London Marathon this year in support of the British Heart Foundation.

The Charity Football Tournament, held in the lead-up to the main event, saw teams compete with energy and determination. The Charity Day itself brought the entire College together in support of a meaningful cause. From fundraising activities to enthusiastic participation, the commitment from both students and staff was instrumental in achieving this outstanding result.

College representatives expressed immense pride in the community, highlighting how every contribution – big or small – helped make a genuine difference. The funds have now been officially donated to the British Heart Foundation, supporting their ongoing work in research, prevention, and treatment of heart and circulatory diseases.

A photo gallery capturing highlights from the events will soon be available on the College website, offering the community a chance  to revisit some of the memorable moments.

As a special thank you, the British Heart Foundation has produced a dedicated video expressing their appreciation. The community is encouraged to watch the video to see the impact of their support and hear directly from the charity.

The success of this year’s Charity Day is a testament to the generosity and unity of the College community, demonstrating how collective action can create meaningful change.

Former Greenhead Student Builds Career in Commercial Operations

Posted on by Carly Granger

James Ince, a former student of Rastrick High School and Greenhead College has carved out a successful career in commercial operations, combining a background in sales with operational expertise to become a Commercial Operations Manager.

After attending Rastrick High School, James studied Politics, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics and Film Studies at Greenhead College from 2018 to 2020. While his academic pathway did not lead directly to university, the skills and mindset developed during his time at College have played a significant role in shaping his professional journey.

Reflecting on his time at Greenhead College, James said:
“My time at GHC taught me that, whilst there is no escaping the need to work hard, working efficiently is key too! The college gave the freedom to understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’ way of working and catering to my own strengths was a way to get to where I wanted to be.”

Finding a Passion for Operations

James’s interest in commercial operations grew from a desire to better understand how businesses function behind the scenes.

“My view was that working in operations would give me a strong understanding of how the business works day-to-day and the challenges behind the scenes,” he explained. “As I became more familiar with internal processes, I found myself naturally getting involved in improving internal systems and helping to build a stronger foundation for growth alongside the wider team.”

Having spent four years working in sales before joining The Pink Link, James saw an opportunity to combine his commercial awareness with operational knowledge. This blend of experience enabled him to move into a broader role, contributing strategically to business growth while maintaining a practical understanding of internal processes.

A Pivotal Career Decision

One of the most defining moments in his early career came when he decided to move away for work. After about six months, he realised the role and environment were not a good long-term fit.

Choosing to return home and take on an administrator position initially felt like a step backwards. However, in hindsight, it proved to be one of the most important decisions of his career.

“The experience helped me understand more about myself; how I work best, what kind of culture suits me and the type of business I want to be part of,” he said. “This has not only influenced the direction my career has taken but also how I chose to conduct myself at work.”

Life as a Commercial Operations Manager

Now working as a Commercial Operations Manager, no two days are the same. James’s responsibilities range from working on commercial pricing and improving internal processes to reviewing driver performance data and KPIs. On other days, he visits customers or travels to network partner businesses.

Key to his success, he says, has been adaptability and a willingness to make decisions with confidence.

He also credits his former Philosophy, Religion and Ethics teacher, Ian Kennedy, with having a lasting impact on his development. “Mr. Kennedy seemed to really understand how to get the most out of everyone in his class and how to deliver the teachings in his lessons to resonate with everyone. His ability to ‘work the room’ and make sure no one was left behind was amazing and admirable.”

Advice for Current Students

For students considering a future in business or commercial operations, James’s advice is to remain open-minded – particularly about starting out in small or medium – sized enterprises (SMEs).

“There’s a lot of focus on large corporate roles but many SMEs are actively looking for motivated young professionals and can offer great opportunities to learn quickly,” he said. “In a smaller business, you often see more of how the whole company operates rather than just one department, which can really help you build a strong foundation early in your career.”

From college classrooms to commercial strategy meetings, James’s journey demonstrates that career paths are rarely linear — and that adaptability, self-awareness and a strong work ethic can open unexpected doors.