Dear 

In February Leeds Trinity introduced a new employability package in order to provide additional support for final year Leeds Trinity students and recent alumni (up to three years after graduating) starting and furthering their careers, after an exceptionally challenging year.

The myFuture: Next Steps package has been created by the University’s graduate employment 'myFuture' team, with a range of services relating to careers and employability. The package complements the ongoing careers and employability services, such as one-to-one appointments on CVs, cover letters, personal statements and interview preparation, searching for a job and careers events. Read more.

We have also added some additional benefits and discounts that are available to all alumni.

Huge congratulations to alumnus Phil Mellen (PGCE in Early Years Education, 1994) who has recently signed a five year record deal. 

Phil became ill with Coronavirus in March 2020, while working as Deputy Director of Children and Families at Leeds City Council. Due to the prolonged impact of the virus on his health, Phil stepped back from his career in education and decided to use the period of imposed isolation and inactivity to pursue his music ambitions.

Since releasing his music under the alias BlackSheepLad, Phil’s songs have had airplay in over 30 countries and his Christmas song, Better this Christmas, has been streamed over 40,000 times. Read more. 

On 8 March we celebrated our alumni and colleagues for International Women's Day 2021. We are very proud to have so many inspirational women linked to the University. 

We are incredibly proud of all our alumni. If you would like to share your story or achievements, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Congratulations to all Leeds Trinity staff who have been promoted in the recent academic promotion round. New appointments included Professors, Readers and Senior Professional Practice Fellows. 

This is the first time that Senior Professional Practice Fellows have been appointed. They will help to shape the agenda in their subject areas, and take responsibility for leading and developing professional practice contributions to the portfolio of University activities.

The roles will include the delivery of professional practice within the curriculum and wider student experience, including preparation for placements and career development for the graduate jobs market – ensuring this is informed by research and knowledge exchange outcomes. Read more.

The delivery of online Offer Holder Days this year has enabled us to involve our alumni in the live sessions.

Prospective students have been able to hear about how courses have benefitted our alumni, and how graduates have utilised their courses and professional experience in their career development.

A big thank you to all alumni who have taken part.

Sam Ashton (Secondary PE and Sports Coaching, 2019) got much more than a degree from her time at Leeds Trinity. 

Sam was heavily involved with the Students' Union with her role as Social Secretary. She created the Big Mixed Social on a Wednesday, which enabled clubs and societies to celebrate together, instead of just in their own groups. 

She saw the world through placements in Ohio and two visits to Rwanda. 

"Each one of these placements was incredibly valuable for me. They were experiences that helped shape me into the person I am today and they have also given me an edge that others may not have."

In 2022 Sam will embark on a very exciting new role as a teacher in Kenya. Read Sam's alumni profile.