Aspiration Awards 2025: Centre of the Year - The Public Services Department at Leeds City College

The Centre of the Year category recognises providers that have gone above and beyond to help their learners and support staff progression. The Public Services Department at Leeds City College is the winner of our Centre of the Year award for 2025, as it has shown outstanding commitment to social impact, whilst remaining highly adaptable in the face of education reform. 

A centre committed to public service 

The Public Services department at Leeds City College, a member of Luminate Education Group, delivers a range of qualifications from the NCFE suite of Uniformed Protective Services, which support progression to a career in organisations such as the army, navy, RAF, prison service, fire and rescue service, and the police force.  

It also delivers occupational qualifications, which allow learners to gain practical skills, knowledge, and understanding in their chosen vocational areas through a hands-on, involved approach. 

The qualifications offer a wide range of opportunities for learners to get out in their local communities, meet people of all ages, speak to employers, and develop them to prepare for their future careers. The department shared how NCFE courses support their learners to progress and explore different paths by allowing a seamless combination of academic studies with social action, volunteering, and work experience. 

Tom Griffiths, Head of Department, shared: “Within our Level 3 course, many students aspire to join the West Yorkshire Police Constable degree apprenticeship or study policing, criminology, and law at university. We have other learners who’ll leave us to join West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, HM Prison Service, and the Armed Forces.  

“We also have learners studying across the cohorts that are exploring apprenticeships, and we recently had two learners who have now completed their studies and are working in a local school as part of their estates and maintenance team.” 

Adapting to education reform 

The uncertainty surrounding education reform, particularly in relation to course offerings post-September 2025, has presented a challenge for further education organisations. To guarantee the continued delivery of high-quality education, the Public Services department has actively collaborated with important parties, such as MPs, the Department for Education, and NCFE. 

It also conducts self-assessments to ensure its performance remains consistent every year. The learners’ results speak to the department’s commitment to quality, as they continuously outperform national averages by 5–10%. Staff members share this successful approach with other organisations such as Ashton Sixth Form and Gateshead College, by helping them enhance their quality assurance procedures. 

Increasing collaborations for student and staff success 

The Public Services department has established strategic partnerships to improve student learning and employability. Notably, a four-year partnership with Leeds Learning Alliance has resulted in new initiatives to support underprivileged students, such as those not in education, employment, or training. The department has also partnered with Leeds-based charity CATCH to offer an Introduction to Youth and Community Services course, which combines practical work placement experience with fundamental English and maths skills.  

Building on this achievement, the department plans to work with Leeds City Council, Leeds Learning Alliance, and the Leeds City College Apprenticeship Team to introduce an inclusive apprenticeship programme, which will train teaching assistant apprentices in relational and trauma-informed practices. The department also plans on implementing a youth support worker programme, aimed at decreasing school expulsions and suspensions.  

The Public Services department recognises that staff development is integral to sustained excellence. Four team members are undertaking or have completed apprenticeships through Luminate Education Group, covering teaching, leadership, and management. The department allows staff to take on apprenticeships to upskill and work towards their objectives. 

One staff member, Jordan Wright, explains: “Having begun my career with a teaching assistant apprenticeship, I explored different ways to contribute to the education sector. Through the department’s apprenticeship programme, I developed the right skills which allowed me to eventually become a programme manager.”   

Social impact and community involvement  

West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the British Army, and the Royal Navy all sit on the employer board that Leeds City College has set up. This board meets every two months and discusses important topics, such as how young people view emergency services, and how to recruit more women and members of ethnic minorities who are currently under-represented in the field. 

Directly addressing the barriers faced by under-represented students, the department launched the Looking After Our Own Care and Culture project. The initiative provides resources and practical support in maintaining natural hair while meeting uniformed service grooming standards, fostering an inclusive environment where students feel understood and valued.  

The introduction of the Pathfinders programme, a customised cadet programme that supports under-represented students, is one of the department's greatest accomplishments. Through monthly visits, students get the chance to interact with emergency services and members of the armed forces, allowing them to investigate career options and get past entry barriers. For students, the highlights of the programme include visiting the West Yorkshire Police Training Centre, Moortown Fire Station, and even the HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s flagship vessel, in Liverpool. 

Its collaboration with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services has also led to initiatives addressing risk reduction. Following disorderly incidents in Leeds on Bonfire Night 2023, the department facilitated pop-up events to engage young people constructively. Additionally, students have participated in road safety education through the Crash and Burn programme and life-saving CPR training via the Restart a Heart initiative. 

Congratulations to all staff and students! To read more inspirational stories from this year’s award winners, visit our Aspiration Awards 2025 page.  

Pictured: Staff from our Centre of the Year, the Public Services Department at Leeds City College, are presented with their award by Kyle O'Connor, Business Development Manager, at NCFE