IT’S the British comedy-drama film fans have been waiting for - The Duke, starring screen legends Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. And the much anticipated film has been brought into creation with support from Bradford School of Art.

A group of BA (Hons) Media Make Up With Special Effects for the Creative Industries students helped out on the film set in Bradford, supporting make-up artists. During filming, in early 2020, parts of the Old Building housed costumes and make-up.

Nathan Kelly, Head of Arts and Creative Industries at Bradford School of Art, part of Bradford College, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to be part of British film history and gain a glimpse into Yorkshire’s film and TV industry. The Duke was brilliant for us because the work our students did can form part of their CV. This helps develop the skills pipeline, creating jobs and enabling our students to find jobs in the region’s creative industry.”

Ashleigh Jacques was among students who had work experience on the set. She said: “To work on something with big names as that was brilliant!” But she soon discovered it wasn’t all glamour: “We had a very early start, for the first few hours we were getting coffee and tea. It was dark and cold and nobody could survive without a cuppa! It’s not all false eyelashes and big hair. You’ve got to know who’s in charge and be ready to take orders. I was assisting the other make-up artists, making sure everybody’s work station was tidy, cleaning brushes and handing over hairgrips. I had to make sure they had exactly what they needed.”

Ceri Lewis, Programme Leader for the BA Media Make up degree, said: “The whole experience was really good for the students. Being on set, seeing it all set up, and sometimes just observing and doing manual tasks, it opened up a horizon. You learn an awful lot about wigs, costumes and dresses. The students are learning transferrable skills. It has helped them gain experience of being on set so when they get roles on sets in future, they’re not taken aback by directors’ orders.”

The degree is endorsed by Screen Skills, the industry body for career development and training in the film, TV, animation and games industry, and officially been recognised as providing industry-standard training and education. The School’s connections within film and TV industries ensure that students are ready to work within that sector as well as provide opportunities. It is one of the founding colleges of Connected Campus, a consortium of colleges launched by Screen Yorkshire in 2021 to make the creative industries more accessible to young people. The School of Art has also supported production of TV dramas including Gunpowder, The Syndicate and Ackley Bridge. Visit bradfordcollege.ac.uk

* TALENTED male footballers are invited to try out for a scholarship programme run by Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC in partnership with Bradford College. A trial for boys aged 16-18 takes place at Horsfall Community Stadium on Thursday, February 24. Aspiring footballers have chance to take part in a training and games programme alongside full-time education from September.

Gary Bradwell, Curriculum Area Manager for Sport & Fitness at Bradford College, said: “If you have passion, skills and talent and are keen to take part in a programme of study while developing your footballing, we invite you to try out for this.”

Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bradford College first launched their scholarship programme last year, when they set up new academies for male and female footballers. All football activity takes place at Horsfall Community Stadium's state-of-the-art 4G surface. Players will have access to GPS data, match analysis and a potential pathway into professional football, under the supervision of UEFA qualified coaches. The academy also offers pathways to other areas of football such as healthcare, sports science and coaching. Academy technical director Tom McStravick said: "The scholarships are a great way towards a professional football career. We also offer the chance to take part in community projects, volunteering and outreach work.” Email thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com or call 07821579451.

* A MEMORIAL garden will be created at Odsal Stadium as part of a partnership between Bradford Bulls and Bradford College.

Head of Business Development and Apprenticeships Kelly McAllister said: “Many families and friends of supporters request to scatter ashes at the ground, the club recognised the need for an open space for the community. We're delighted to be part of such a meaningful project.”

Students will support the Bulls in creating a peaceful environment by assisting with construction of benches, flower bed planters and the garden structure. Joe Pitts at Bradford Bulls, said: “Once we've planned out the garden we'll be asking for organisations to provide bricks, stone, timber, hardware and looking to work with people with gardening experience."

Visit bradfordcollege.ac.uk. Email joe.pitts@bradfordbulls.co.uk

* GHIZLANE Mountacer has turned a long-held dream into a new career after her beauty course led to employment at a Bradford salon.Within four months of starting a Level 2 Beauty Therapy course at Bradford College, Ghizlane did a work placement at Image Revolution. Now she's a general assistant at the Wibsey beauty salon. Ghizlane, who is Moroccan, said: “I'm learning so many new things in my role.”

A telesales executive before her first child was born, she aimed for a beauty career: She enrolled at Bradford College last September, studying areas such as facials, manicures and waxing as well as anatomy and physiology. “My tutor Sophie Metcalfe taught me so much and was always there," says Ghizlane. Mikiala Hussain, owner of Image Revolution, said:“I’m 100per cent happy to have taken on Ghizlane. She's an asset to the business.”