Greenhead College is extremely proud to celebrate the achievements of A2 student Kiera, whose commitment, resilience and talent have seen her rise to the very top of age‑group triathlon, representing Great Britain on the international stage at just 17 years old.

Kiera’s journey from sporting all‑rounder to international competitor has been recognised nationally by British Triathlon, who recently profiled her inspiring rise through the sport.

Kiera has always embraced sport. Growing up, she took part in a wide range of activities, including gymnastics, diving and hockey, developing strong athletic foundations from an early age. Her involvement in swimming through her local club, combined with a growing talent for cross‑country running – where she regularly finished in the top five – proved to be a natural pathway into triathlon.

Inspired by her sister, Kiera joined Wakefield Triathlon Club in 2020. Despite the challenges of starting a new sport during a difficult year, she progressed quickly through the junior ranks before stepping up to the adult squad with Team Manvers, confidently taking the next step in her triathlon journey.

Kiera’s first triathlon came in 2021 at Castle Howard, part of the Castle Series, and from that moment a passion was sparked. She now returns to the Castle Series every year and, for the past two seasons, has competed in adult races – a significant achievement at such a young age.

At just 15 years old, Kiera set her sights on Age Group competition. In 2024, she competed at Mallory Park, aiming to qualify for the 2025 European Age Group Sprint Championships. An outstanding performance earned her qualification for the championships in Istanbul, where she finished an impressive fourth place, narrowly missing out on a medal in her first appearance representing Great Britain.

Her success has continued, with Kiera now qualifying for both the World and European Sprint Championships in 2026. She will compete at the European Championships in Tarragona this summer, with ambitions to build on last year’s result and challenge for the podium.

Kiera draws inspiration from Olympic triathletes including Georgia Taylor‑Brown and Beth Potter, as well as closely following Kate Waugh’s transition into longer‑distance racing. She is also strongly influenced by her coach, Grace Robinson, whose own IRONMAN experience continues to inspire Kiera’s approach to training and competition.

Reflecting on her experience, Kiera said:

“Balancing such a highly demanding sport alongside studying A Levels can be very tricky, but with the right organisation and commitment it is possible. Throughout my time in triathlon, I have been able to manage this balance and get the most out of both my training and my studies.”

As exam season draws near, Kiera’s story offers timely inspiration, encouraging students to trust their preparation, stay focused under pressure and believe in their potential. As she prepares for a busy summer of international racing alongside completing her A Levels, we wish her every success and look forward to following her continued journey.

Greenhead College was delighted to recently welcome our incoming Chair of Governors, James Wilkinson, who joined us to speak with students from our Economics and Business courses.

James is Director of Finance at Cafédirect, a pioneering social enterprise that works closely with coffee bean farmers across the globe. During his visit, he spoke to students about Cafédirect’s commitment to ethical trading, its partnerships with farming communities, and the wider impact of operating within the Fairtrade scheme.

Delivering an engaging talk to both our Economics and Business students, James explored how theoretical concepts taught in the classroom are applied in real‑world business settings. Topics included the role of co-operatives, fair pricing, and how socially responsible business models can support sustainable livelihoods for producers.

The session linked closely to both syllabuses and provided students with valuable insight into how economic theory and business practice intersect. By using real examples from his professional experience, James helped students deepen their understanding of key topics while also highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making in contemporary business.

An A2 Economics student reflected on the session, commenting:

“James helped me link the Economics theory to the real world. For example, understanding how co-operatives help farmers negotiate a better income and how the Fairtrade scheme works.”

Opportunities such as this are an important part of the Greenhead experience, helping students to contextualise their learning and gain a broader perspective on the subjects they study.

A big thank you to James for taking the time to speak to our students, and we extend a warm welcome as he takes up his new role within the College community. We look forward to working with him and benefiting from his expertise in the future.

Greenhead College has been formally acknowledged for its early contribution to a major national initiative, The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, which will soon be launched as a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

The College played a key role in helping to digitise the historic Court Circular – the official daily record of engagements carried out by members of the Royal Family.

Led by Alan from our History Department and Helen, a Tutor at the College, this fascinating project involved the transcription and conversion of Court Circular records into detailed digital spreadsheets, making this invaluable historical material more accessible for future use.

The contribution has since proved essential in the development of The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial, an online resource drawing on decades of Court Circular data to chart the extraordinary public life and service of Queen Elizabeth II.

In recognition of our contribution, the Court Circular has formally credited the College, acknowledging the importance of our early involvement in the project.

Commenting on our involvement, Alan said:

“We had a wonderful group of dedicated students who worked throughout the academic year to digitise the late Queen’s activities as recorded in the Court Circular. We were so impressed by the sheer range and scale of the Queen’s endeavours – her sense of duty and love for our country were truly inspiring.”

The launch of The Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial follows the Government’s announcement of its final recommendations for a national memorial, which coincided with the centenary of the late Queen’s birth. The digital memorial will sit alongside a physical memorial, providing a permanent and accessible tribute for the public, researchers, and future generations.

The College is proud to have contributed to the preservation and enhancement of access to an important part of Britain’s historical record, and to see its community’s work recognised as part of a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Greenhead College was delighted to welcome seven Fellows from Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, as part of the Higher Education Extension (HEE) programme.

Alongside students from other local sixth forms, the visit saw Selwyn College deliver a series of lectures designed to support academic development and encourage ambitious thinking among our A1 students.

The HEE programme supports young people in developing the skills, confidence and academic curiosity needed for success at university and in highly competitive careers. Acting as a central hub for the Huddersfield and Halifax regions, Greenhead College works closely with Selwyn College to coordinate the programme on behalf of a number of local schools and colleges.

This unique Selwyn College initiative aims to raise aspirations among disadvantaged 16–18‑year‑olds across West Yorkshire, while highlighting pathways to study at the University of Cambridge and other Russell Group universities.

Following the lectures, students had the opportunity to engage directly with the Fellows during a question‑and‑answer session. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including studying STEM and Arts/Humanities subjects, the application process, and day‑to‑day life at the University of Cambridge.

Students particularly valued the chance to ask thoughtful questions and gain first‑hand insight into university study from leading academics. One student commented:

“We are very grateful for this opportunity and were delighted to have talks delivered by exceptional leaders from Selwyn College. It was really appreciated.”

We would like to thank Greenhead College staff for their support in organising the event, and Selwyn College for their ongoing partnership and commitment to widening participation and academic enrichment for our students.