As we reach the final week of this year’s enrichment programme at Elliott Hudson College, it is a perfect moment to reflect on everything our students have achieved beyond the classroom. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, commitment, and growth they have shown throughout the year. “Our enrichment programme gives students the opportunity to grow beyond the classroom, building confidence, resilience, and essential life skills that will support them in their futures” says Mrs Clare Carr, Assistant Principal – Student Experience. “It has been wonderful to see so many of our students embrace these opportunities and achieve so much.”

Duke of Edinburgh

Our students continue to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award programme, showing real commitment and determination throughout their journey. They have dedicated time each week to developing new skills, staying active, and giving back through volunteering. The highlight of last year was their four-day expedition through the Yorkshire Dales, travelling from Settle via Malham Cove to Gargrave or Skipton. They demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and independence, and we are incredibly proud of everything they achieved along with the unforgettable memories they made together. The group are looking forward to the summer expedition to the Peak District.

Bar Mock Trial

Our students showcased outstanding skill and confidence in the Bar Mock Trial Competition, achieving an impressive second place in their regional heat. Throughout the programme, they developed advocacy, teamwork, and public speaking skills, stepping into the roles of barristers and witnesses with professionalism. We are incredibly proud of how they represented Elliott Hudson College, demonstrating both legal understanding and composure under pressure an inspiring achievement that reflects their hard work and dedication.
“Coming second in the regional heat is definitely the main highlight and my biggest memory, because it’s the furthest our team has ever come,” said student, Jaipreet. “We were all incredibly proud of the commitment we put into this, and it really showed on the day.”

British Library – Story Explorers

Working in partnership with the British Library, our students helped developed the “Story Explorers” exhibition at Leeds Central Library. The exhibition, which the students launched in February, is running at the Leeds Central Library until the end of August. The students worked together throughout the year to develop the exhibition and were able to engage with children and families during the launch event.

“The event was based around exploring stories in four core themes: jungle, library, under the sea, and space, with a focus on creating a fun, interactive experience for children and families through a range of activities ,” explained Serene Din, Year 13 Student, adding that the project was aimed at “influencing kids to get involved and explore new things through books.”

Podcast Enrichment

Students involved in our Podcast Enrichment programme had the exciting opportunity to visit the University of Leeds, where they produced and recorded their own podcasts. Supported through funding from Go Higher Yorkshire, the experience allowed them to develop technical, creative, and communication skills. We are so proud of their confidence and originality, as well as their willingness to step outside their comfort zones to create engaging and professional content.

Student, Harry W said “This enrichment was an excellent opportunity and an adventure for me. It opened my eyes to the ins and outs of a podcast and the level of detail, precision, and time that goes into one. Being given the chance to record my own podcast helped me to develop my confidence in audio recordings (something which I have always been anxious of) and really allowed me to set my eyes on where I want to continue my educational journey – the University of Leeds.”

Future Healthcare Professionals

Future Healthcare Professionals is a careers enrichment run at the college, to help students who are working within the NHS and healthcare industry, to gain a better understanding what it is like and to how they can get into the industry.

We ran a Midwifery workshop led by midwife and EHC alumni Shano Khorshed, who demonstrated to current students what they needed to do to pursue a career in midwifery.

The students engaged thoughtfully with real-world experiences, asking insightful questions and showing genuine passion for the field. We are incredibly proud of their maturity and ambition, as well as their commitment to exploring pathways that will allow them to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Student, Amy C said: “Shano gave us a realistic overview of midwifery. She let us know about career progression and taught us some new terminology which was helpful for interviews such as being an ‘autonomous practitioner’. My favourite part was listening to a baby’s heartbeat!”

Alice in Wonderland Production

Our Drama enrichment students delivered a fantastic performance of Alice in Wonderland, reimagined and written by our own Mrs Forryan, alongside the performing students. In just six weeks, they worked tirelessly to learn, rehearse, and bring this creative adaptation of the classic story to life. Their teamwork, confidence, and dedication shone through on stage. We are immensely proud of their achievement and the joy they brought to audiences both young and old through such a vibrant and imaginative production.