Dear Parent, Carer or Next of Kin,
Welcome to Shipley College
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you and your young person as they begin their journey with us at Shipley College.
Starting college is an exciting milestone, bringing new opportunities, new experiences and the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for a successful future. We are delighted that you have chosen Shipley College and are committed to ensuring that your young person enjoys a positive, rewarding and successful experience during their time with us.
At Shipley College, we believe every student has the potential to achieve great things. Our role is to create the conditions in which every learner can thrive, challenge themselves and achieve to the very best of their ability. We have high aspirations for all of our students and will support, encourage and inspire them to become confident, resilient and independent young adults who are prepared for their next steps.
Everything we do is underpinned by our College values:
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Transformational – Championing lifelong learning and fostering growth and ambition.
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Heritage – Valuing our history and protecting our unique Saltaire campus while embracing the opportunities of the future.
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Relationships – Building strong partnerships and working together to achieve shared goals.
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Inclusion – Creating a welcoming, caring and fair environment where everyone feels they belong.
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Vision – Inspiring and supporting every individual to reach their personal and professional ambitions.
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Excellence – Delivering outstanding education and striving for exceptional outcomes in everything we do.
We know that the strongest outcomes are achieved when colleges and students' close networks work together. We look forward to building a positive partnership with you throughout the academic year, ensuring your young person is supported academically, personally and professionally. By working together, we can help them make informed decisions, embrace every opportunity available and leave Shipley College with the widest possible range of choices for higher education, apprenticeships or employment.
We encourage every student to get involved in college life, make the most of enrichment activities, develop new friendships, challenge themselves and take every opportunity to grow. We want every learner to leave us not only with excellent qualifications, but also with the confidence, skills and character to become the very best version of themselves.
Thank you for placing your trust in Shipley College. We are excited to welcome your young person into our community and look forward to working alongside you throughout the coming year to help them succeed, flourish and realise their ambitions.
Together, we will help them build a future they can be proud of.
Yours sincerely,
Ruth Tomlinson
Vice Principal – Study Programmes
Shipley College
MEET YOUR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT(on Thursday 10th of September)4:00pm – 4:30pm4:30pm – 5:00pm5:00pm – 5:30pm5:30pm – 6:00pm
We’re inviting all parents, carers and next of kin of our Study Programme students to join us for a 30-minute welcome session at Shipley College on Thursday 10th September.
It’s a great opportunity to meet your young person’s Head of Department and key College staff, find out more about their course and College life, and hear how we’ll work together to support them throughout the year.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and find out who to contact if you need support or information.
Please select your young person’s department below and book the time that suits you.
Choose your times below:
(on Thursday 10th of September)
4:00pm – 4:30pm
4:30pm – 5:00pm
5:00pm – 5:30pm
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Care, Health and Education.
Meet the team and find out more about supporting your young person throughout their time at Shipley College.
BOOK HERE FOR HEALTH, CARE & EDUCATION
Creative Industries & Enterprise
Meet the team and find out what you can expect during the year and how we can work together to support your young person.
BOOK HERE FOR FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE
Foundation Learning
Meet the Foundation Learning team, learn more about the support available and ask any questions you may have.
BOOK HERE FOR FOUNDATION LEARNING
Places are limited, so please book your preferred 30-minute slot in advance.
We look forward to welcoming you to Shipley College.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD
We place great importance on supporting young people through each stage of their College life.
- We are a small, friendly College, easy to get to by bus and train
- We have a consistently high student satisfaction rate, offering pastoral support and career guidance
- We have tutors with years of practical industry experience, meaning students get an insider's look into the subject area
- We have a six weekly review process to ensure that our students are on track at all stages
- We offer lots of enrichment activities for students to get involved in which helps them develop and grow as individuals
- You receive a report on their progress on a full-time course after the Autumn and Spring terms finish. For apprentices, progress reports will be sent to their employer but you can contact their tutor for an update.
There is useful further information elsewhere on the website - please have a look at important information for students, student life at Shipley College, our careers service and student services pages.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT
Shipley College is proud of our inclusive community. We aim to ensure that all young people who come here achieve their potential, regardless of their individual needs.
The College is committed to supporting the learning of all students. The Additional Learning Support (ALS) team offers extra assistance, help and advice to students who require particular support to ensure they can access their chosen course and make progress.
Contact the ALS team at sendadmin@shipley.ac.uk for more information, visit our Additional Learning Support page, and see our information on the Local Offer.
As a small, friendly college, we are a popular choice with school leavers because of the support we give.
Located in the centre of Saltaire Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we have a safe and unique environment that is easily accessible by bus, train, and car. Find out more about our wonderful surroundings on our Saltaire page.
We value your interest as a parent or carer, whether helping your child find the right course
or encouraging them in their development.
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE TEAM ARE HERE FOR YOU
Our Student Experience Team is a key point of contact for parents - if you have any questions you can contact them directly at studentexperience@shipley.ac.uk or 01274 327281.
Student Experience also provide workshops, every lunchtime during term time, that your child can attend for advice on jobs and apprenticeships, general careers advice, help with applications or interviews, and support with a UCAS application.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Alongside their studies, our students can also get involved in a range of additional activities, clubs, fundraising, and volunteering opportunities. They can learn new skills, develop confidence, and make new friends.
Our students gain the qualifications and skills to progress in their futures and 92% of full-timers progress into further study or work. To find out more about the College, see About Us.
GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT PLACE.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We have a range of support available including for meals and travel, depending on your circumstances. Just contact our friendly and knowledgeable Student Experience team to find out what is available to you - studentexperience@shipley.ac.uk or 01274 327281
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding is the way that we promote wellbeing for young people, and help keep them safe. The College prides itself on our safeguarding measures. If you have a concern, raise it with any member of staff and we will deal appropriately and sensitively with the issue. You can find more information in Policies and Procedures.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any further questions, please leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
AUTUMN TERM 2026-27:
Term starts: Tuesday 1st September 2026
Term ends: Friday 18th December 2026
Autumn half term break:
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Monday 26th October - Friday 30th October 2026
Autumn term staff training/QI days (College closed to students)
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TBC
WINTER TERM 2026-27:
Term starts: Tuesday 5th January 2027
Term ends: Friday 25th March 2027
Spring Half Term break:
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Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February 2027
Spring term staff training/QI days (College closed to students):
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TBC
SPRING TERM 2027-28:
Term starts: Tuesday 13th April 2027
(Closed Bank Holiday - Monday 3rd May 2027)
Term ends: Friday 28th May 2027