Class of 2026 Celebrates Bright Futures at B&FC Graduation Day

The Chamber was pleased to support ‘The Class of 2026’ – as more than 900 higher education students at Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) – celebrated brighter futures at Graduation Day.

The annual event at the Winter Gardens brought together graduates, families, friends and tutors in the iconic Empress Ballroom to celebrate success and the opportunities that now lie ahead.

Graduates were awarded Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, Honours Degrees, Certificates of Higher Education and Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.

Across two ceremonies, 933 students graduated, including 355 apprentices – representing 38 per cent of the cohort and reflecting the increasing popularity of higher-level routes that enable students to earn while they learn.

Among Honours Degree students, 122 of the 241 graduates achieved First Class Honours, meaning more than half attained the highest possible classification.

The ceremonies featured welcoming remarks from Alun Francis, Chief Executive of B&FC, and an address from Professor Sarah Kemp, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) at Lancaster University, who conferred the awards alongside Peter Greenall, B&FC’s Vice-Principal for Higher Education and Frontier Economy.

Graduation Day coincided with the publication of the annual National Students Survey (NSS) results, which showed increased satisfaction in four of the seven themes. Academic support at B&FC was rated at 94.5 per cent – more than four points above both the England average and the NSS benchmark.

Alun Francis said: “Graduation Day is the highlight of our academic year – a truly memorable celebration of achievement, dedication and brighter career prospects for almost one thousand B&FC students and apprentices.”

“This year’s achievements demonstrate the growing range of higher education and career pathways now available to our students. We know that one size doesn’t fit all, which is why our focus is on delivering provision with increasing flexibility that fits around the needs and circumstances of learners and employers.

“When our new Multiversity opens in September 2028, this approach will be central to connecting our future offer even more closely with industry, innovation and the needs of the regional economy – creating brighter and confident futures for individuals, employers and communities alike.”

Graduation Day 2026 was also addressed by two student speakers – Sarah Higgin and Leighton Thompson – who reflected on their educational journeys and the support that helped them to succeed at B&FC.

Sarah, who graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), spoke about the shared experiences that shaped her cohort and prepared graduates for the future.

She said: “As we step into the next chapter, whether continuing studies, starting new careers or exploring new paths, let’s carry forward the lessons we’ve learnt. Let’s be bold enough to take risks, kind enough to lift others up, and confident enough to walk into new rooms like we absolutely belong there.”

Leighton, who graduated with a BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, described the day as “the end of a challenging but rewarding journey – filled with hard work, late nights, support, encouragement and achievement.”

He added: “We should all be proud of what we have achieved. I wish you every success in your future lives and careers, and I hope today is a reminder of what can be accomplished through hard work and determination.”

Graduation Day ended in joyful celebration with hundreds of new alumni crossing the stage, posing for proud photographs and sharing the moment with everyone who supported them throughout their studies.

The Class of 2026 included graduates from across Blackpool, Lancashire and beyond – many of whom balanced study with employment, family commitments and professional responsibilities.

Blackpool and The Fylde College teaches around 13,500 students each year across multiple sites. It holds a prestigious ‘Triple Gold’ Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating and was recently named the Defence Technical Excellence College for the North West. Ofsted rated B&FC ‘Good’ in March 2025, with four ‘Outstanding’ sub-judgements and awarded it the highest possible rating of ‘Strong’ for its contribution to meeting regional skills needs.

Visit the blackpool.ac.uk website to find out more about learning opportunities for the 2026/27 academic year – including course information and open days.