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Kevin O’Hare

There is no biographical profile of the Principal on the College's website. This detail is from the 2022 appointment article.

Our Interim Principal Kevin O’Hare has been appointed as the new Principal of Keighley College.

Kevin took over from the college’s former Principal, Steve Kelly in December last year.

As interim Principal for the last four months, Kevin has made a positive impact in building relationships with both students and staff, which has contributed to, and is enhancing the college’s culture and presence in the community.

He has also played a key role in the college’s recent successes, such as hosting Keighley’s first ever TedX event. There has also been significant progress across the education institution’s A level, special educational needs and disability (SEND) and high needs provisions.

Kevin has worked in the FE sector for 29 years. During this period, he has undertaken roles at every level of the curriculum. He has taught from entry to degree level, and has led, written and quality assured programmes across vocational, academic and apprenticeship programmes.

He joined Leeds City College, which is part of Luminate Education Group, in 1992 when there were limited options for creative learners in Leeds. With a small number of learners he helped establish a programme which has grown to include 850 learners over a range of subject areas.

He has an outstanding track record as a leader in education with a particular interest in Creative Arts and Digital programmes; his previous role was Head of Visual and Digital Arts at Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus.

Kevin sits on a number of professional boards and governing bodies, including as a Director of East Street Arts, and has worked with local organisations such as Games Republic, The Tetley, and Leeds Playhouse.

Previous Principals/CEOs

Steve Kelly

There is no biographical profile of the Principal on the College's website. This detail is from the 2020 appointment article on the Discovery Keighley website.

Mr Kelly, who has worked in the FE sector for 30 years in a number of settings, including Young Offenders institutions, started out as a learning support assistant. He further progressed, becoming a Special Education Needs lecturer. He has also taught and managed performing arts, health and social care and teacher education.

Steve has worked in a number of roles, including Director of Student Experience and Head of Students Service and Support. He was also responsible for a number of curriculum areas and quality. Before starting at Leeds City College, he was a member of the management team at Sheffield and Chesterfield colleges.

He joined Leeds City College in 2017 as the Director of 14/19 and Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), growing the provision which received an outstanding rating from Ofsted in 2018. Under his leadership, the college was recognised as a centre of good practice for SEND, and to date remains the largest provider of High Needs Education in the country.

Steve has also sat on a number of professional boards and governing bodies including the Springwell Trust. He served a term as a governor of the White Rose City Academy.

Mr Kelly also sits on the Education and Widening Participation committee, as part of the Board of Sheffield Theatres which includes the Crucible and Lyceum, where he supports the team to promote the arts.