Registration
The day begins at Wakefield Town Hall where you will register and be given a registration ticket which will indicate your place in the procession, your course leader and your seat number in the Cathedral. You will also be given any extra tickets which you may have ordered and your personalised Graduation Day programme. You can register from 9.30 onwards, but you must make sure you have done so by 11.30am. The registration desk can be busy, so feel free to collect your robes and have your photography done before registration.

Robing Services
Ede and Ravenscroft are the official suppliers of academic robes and photography for the Graduation Ceremony. All graduands attending the ceremony are required to wear full academic dress appropriate to their award. Graduands ordering their robes online will receive a £5 discount. Please use the following link to take you directly to Ede and Ravenscroft’s website.

Photography
What could be a better souvenir of the day than a photograph of you receiving your award? As the guest speaker presents you with your certificate, your picture will be taken. You can order a copy or copies of this photograph through Ede and Ravenscroft when you return to the Town Hall. Photography is also available at the Town Hall before and after the Ceremony.

Procession and Seating
An integral part of the Ceremony is the procession from Wakefield Town Hall to the Cathedral via Wood Street and Cross Square. These and adjacent roads will be closed by the police for the duration of the procession to allow safe passage. The procession will be led by the Mayor’s ceremonial Mace Bearer followed by the Right Worshipful Mayor and Mayoress of the Wakefield Metropolitan District, Wakefield College Principal and guest speaker (Adeem Younis), senior College staff, Governors, dignitaries, course leaders and graduands.

When asked to form the procession you will need to find your allocated procession marker. A course leader (usually your tutor) will be on hand to make sure that you are in the right order. It is very important that you keep your position in the procession as it is ordered according to the seating in the Cathedral. The procession will form at 12.15pm and leave for the Cathedral at 12.40pm.

On entering the Cathedral you will walk down the central aisle; seating for graduands will be on your left hand side. The procession will be in seating order i.e. those with seats on the front rows will be at the front of the procession etc. Course leaders will be on hand to ensure you are seated in the correct order.

Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony itself lasts for approximately an hour. Once seated, you will be welcomed to the Ceremony in a short address given by the College Principal. Adeem Younis, this year's guest speaker, will then give an address, following which he will present graduates with their awards.

Course groups will go up to the front of the Cathedral in turn to receive their awards. Your course leader will ensure that you are in the right place as you go up to receive your award. Staff from Ede and Ravenscroft will also be on hand to ensure that your hood and robe are tidy. You will be photographed receiving your award from the guest speaker and you will have the opportunity to view and purchase this photograph on the Ede and Ravenscroft website.

The presentation of awards will be followed by a short closing speech, delivered by Cath Orange, Chair of Governors and there will then be an informal return to the Town Hall for a reception and refreshments.

Quick Check List

• Return your reply form confirming your attendance at the Ceremony asap.
• Don’t forget your tickets for you and your guests on the day.
• Order your gown in plenty of time.
• Order your photos (photography will be available on the day).
• Make us aware of any special requirements, regarding diet or mobility.
• Dress smartly and wear a button-through top or shirt on the day, to which you can attach your robe.
• Bring along some hair clips to help make your cap stay on!