Our 200th Anniversary Year Marches on in May
We can’t believe that we’ve already celebrated 5 amazing months in 2025, each one rich in activities to commemorate this very special year.
As with every year, May has brought exam season to colleges across the country and Craven College is certainly no different as we support our students through this important time in their education journey.
We are currently working on a really exciting project – a time capsule to be buried in College grounds. Our aim is to collect 200 items to represent the College and the local communities and areas we have been serving for 200 years! We have asked each of our departments to contribute a small item to represent their area and have been collecting other pieces to showcase the College as a whole and Skipton.
The time capsule will be buried on our campus and hopefully, when it is opened in the future (in another 200 years?!) will give a snapshot of Craven College in 2025.
May’s 200 years celebrations have been about our students and their voices.
Our Student Union have been sharing their thoughts on a range of questions about Craven College to go in our time capsule, here’s just a small taste of what they’ve been saying: –
I LOVE CRAVEN COLLEGE…
“…because it is a good place to make friends! It gives you a lot more independence than school which prepares you for the outside world. There are members of staff to talk to students if you feel upset or down and they don’t judge.”
I AM PROUD TO BE A STUDENT AT CRAVEN COLLEGE…
“…because our college is very inclusive and accepting of all races, ethnicities, sexualities and gender. Our Student Union is passionate about holding events to celebrate diversity and we have Wellbeing Champions.”
I FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING AT CRAVEN COLLEGE…
“…because being part of the Student Union means all the students have a voice and can create cool events, celebrate national days and do fundraisers too.”
Meanwhile, our Performing Arts students once again put on an amazing demonstration of their skills at the Auction Mart Theatre presenting Newsies Jr.
Based on the Disney film of the same name, the show tells the story of hero Jack Kelly. In 1899 Newsies were mostly children and teenagers living in crowded tenements or on the streets of New York City. The 1899 New York Newsboys’ Strike was a youth-led protest against unfair pricing by newspaper publishers with newsboys demanding lower costs for the papers they sell.
As we celebrate our 200th birthday, it is really fitting that this year’s production focuses on celebrating solidarity, resilience and the power of young voices standing up for a cause.
On VE Day we looked at Craven College during the war years, and students and staff came together to share a special tea party and a sing-along.
Our Exams Officer Jenny Cox has taken to the pool and is aiming to swim 200 lengths across two days in June to raise £2000 which will go towards developing the College Sensory Garden at our Aireville Campus. The garden is an inclusive space which is accessible for all students and will benefit the user’s wellbeing, physical and mental health. It will be a welcoming area that allows all students and staff to celebrate nature and enjoy its calming mindfulness.
Jenny has raised an amazing £1000 to date and is incredibly grateful for all sponsorship received so far. If you’re able to support Jenny in her cause, you can do so here.
Alongside all this wonderful 200-year themed activity, life goes on at Craven College. Beauty Therapy students “took over” the Devonshire Spa, several of our Construction students started on their SkillBuild journey including competition winner Sam Kitchen, whilst Level 1 Introduction to Hospitality students treated their customers to a delicious afternoon tea experience.
We currently have no courses running this academic year.
