Hartlepool College of Further Education

Last Friday, Hartlepool College proudly hosted the 8th annual ME+ Conference, bringing together almost 200 lecturers, tutors and support staff from post-16 colleges across the North East to celebrate everything that's brilliant about English, maths and ESOL teaching.

The day featured sessions from guest speakers, exam boards and sponsors, a keynote from Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, and an address from our Principal & CEO Darren Hankey, plus the chance to spotlight our own home-grown talent, including Sam Costello, Elli Donnelly, Leanne Kelly and Richie Peacock.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, and to our outstanding staff for coordinating, supporting, and speaking at this event - here's to another eight years! 🙌

Read more: https://www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk/whats-happening/news/hartlepool-college-hosts-me-2026

Check out the full photo gallery from the day: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hartlepoolfe/albums/72177720334339318

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One College. Two Goals. Meet Shannon Rochester, who has spent the past four years at Hartlepool College progressing from a National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development to a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Exercise Science in partnership with Teesside University, graduating this summer. Alongside her academic journey, Shannon has successfully balanced an amateur boxing career, becoming a three-time national champion.

Ian Clark, Head of High Performance Sport, said: "Shannon has shown real determination, commitment and responsibility throughout her time at the college, training like a full-time athlete while completing her qualifications and progressing into higher education."

We're incredibly proud of Shannon's hard work, ambition, and resilience in both her boxing career and her academic life.

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This week saw our Awards Evening for the School of Health, Care & Education, celebrating an outstanding year of achievement across the school.

Over 20 students were recognised with some brilliant citations, reflecting on a year that's included learners carrying out outstanding community work in care homes across the town, supporting literacy schemes with primary schools, taking part in fundraising and sponsored activities, and delivering micro-teach sessions.

Led by Simone Flender-Bradley, Head of School, the evening was a chance to reflect on everything our learners and staff have achieved this year.

We're incredibly proud of every student recognised, and it was a fantastic evening for all involved. A huge thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate with us, to our students for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, and to our staff for their outstanding teaching.

📸 Check out the full photo gallery on Flickr: https://bit.ly/4vo2Ykv

Yesterday saw our Awards Evening for our Schools of English & Maths and Professional & Creative Studies, a brilliant celebration of everything our learners and staff have achieved this year.

22 students were recognised across categories including resilience, embodying our HARTS values, and being a positive influence on their peers - proof, if any were needed, of why we do what we do.

Leah Frater, Deputy Head of Professional and Creative Studies, said: "The night was an amazing achievement for all involved, and it's always so inspiring to hear each learner's citation from our staff. Well done to all."

We wish every one of our learners the very best of luck with the next part of their journey.

Continuing this week of celebrating our learners' achievements, stay tuned for news about our Annual Art & Design Show, which coincided with last night's awards, our other Schools' Awards Evenings!

Check out the full photo gallery on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hartlepoolfe/albums/72177720334261988/with/55340810245

After 34 years providing outstanding teaching at Hartlepool College, Carpentry and Joinery Lecturer Graeme Fallowfield has hung up his tool belt and retired today.

Graeme started out as an apprentice at the College himself before returning to teach in 1992. His teaching and guidance have transformed the lives of so many staff and students across our community over multiple generations. This year, he welcomed the sons of two former students into his workshop - a full-circle moment demonstrating the impact of his teaching.

Graeme's generosity has reached far beyond Hartlepool, too. In 2014, he and his wife Bev travelled to Kenya and Tanzania with The Meserani Project, helping build classrooms and equip schools for children in the region. Away from the classroom, Graeme plays the Cornet with Cleveland Police Community Band and has performed annually at our Remembrance Services.

Fittingly, his last day falls on Thank a Teacher Day. Thank you, Graeme, for over three decades of skill, patience and craftsmanship, and for the trade you've passed on to hundreds of students. Enjoy your retirement!

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped kit out the School of SEND & Foundation Studies for the year ahead!

We're thrilled to have received a total of £600 in sponsorship and donations, and some fantastic in-kind support, to provide our learners with a brand new football kit and the accessories they need to build on this year's successes and grow our sporting provision going into 2026/27.

£450 of this total was made possible through the combined efforts of three Masonic organisations. An initial £50 donation from Haven of Rest Lodge No. 4350 was increased to £150 by the Hartlepool Freemasons - Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association (HMBA), before being further enhanced by the Durham Freemasons Charity to a fantastic total of £450. We are grateful to Jamie Allison, who supported the sponsorship and is pictured representing the organisation.

We would also like to thank Garthys World for their generous £150 donation. Based in Hartlepool, Garthys World provides affordable website design services for businesses across the UK, ranging from small business websites to full e-commerce solutions. Holly Haygarth is pictured representing the company.

In addition, Logo To Go, a professional embroidery, printing and personalisation business that works with schools and businesses across the region, kindly offered a 48.5% discount on the kit in return for displaying their logo on the jersey sleeve.

The support we have received will make a real difference to our learners, helping to provide not only a new kit but also the equipment and accessories needed throughout the next academic year. Thank you to everyone involved for supporting the School of SEND & Foundation Studies.