Milestone Year Comes to a Close with Special Event
Craven College brought down the curtain on our celebratory year last Friday with our 200th Anniversary End of Year Event, when special guests gathered together to enjoy student performances, a formal reception and exhibition, and tours of the campus.
Throughout the year, our staff and students have come together to celebrate in a myriad of ways to commemorate the longevity of Craven College as an educational institution proudly unlocking potential and changing lives for the people of Skipton and the surrounding communities for an incredible 200 years.
Guests were treated to a performance of a Christmas Medley by Performing Arts students whilst enjoying delicious refreshments created by Catering Students. The wonderful exhibition showcasing Craven College of the past, present and future gave visitors the chance to immerse themselves in our rich heritage and join together with us to imagine what the future might hold.
Travel and Tourism students then hosted guests in tours of our campus taking in the huge variety of different ways academic areas have weaved the celebration of 200 years into their learning curriculum. From advances in healthcare and science, to sharing of children’s literature over the last 200 years, from how our construction students envisioned the College of the future to artwork painted on live horses and of course our newest staff members Woolly and Whinny, everyone was amazed at the creative processes to mark 2025!
Taking in areas across Aireville Campus and down at the Auction Mart including over a hundred knitted sheep in our brand-new Immersive Room, our newest Construction facilities and Craven Arena, the tour was designed to give our guests the opportunity to experience firsthand our College and spaces and speak with staff and students.
Special guest the Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE said, “I was delighted to join the 200-year celebrations at Craven College today. The College has consistently delivered practical learning for two centuries. First it was to supply skills for the mills, now it is to meet the diverse needs of our modern local economy. On display today were the varied courses and apprenticeships and at its heart the exceptional students and staff. Here’s to the next Craven College Century!“
Anita Lall, Principal and CEO added, “When this college first opened its doors, the world looked very different. Yet the founding belief — that education has the power to unlock potential and change lives. — has remained constant. For 200 years, that belief has shaped classrooms, careers, families, and futures.
“Further education is the engine room of opportunity, but this college has been something even more profound: a home and a community.
“It’s been an honour and privilege to be part of the college during its 200-year celebration. For 200 years we have believed in the power of potential. We still do. And we always will
So today is not just a celebration of years. It’s a celebration of impact — of every life touched, every barrier broken, every ambition made possible.”
Dr Alison Birkinshaw, Chair of Governors commented at the event, “Education is the biggest liberating force which pays back down the generations, and it is a wonderful thing to see Craven College continuing to benefit the individual, their families, the employers and the local community still, 200 years and many generations later.
“No doubt there will be change over the next 200 years, much of which we can’t possibly predict. But I am confident that Craven College will continue to serve the people of Skipton and beyond well into the future”.
From our roots educating the adults of Skipton, there’s a certain symmetry as we currently offer over 90 part-time courses alongside our vocational and apprenticeship offerings – remaining close to our roots whilst continuing to grow and adapt to the ever-changing educational landscape.
