Celebrating Student Success

Foreword Foreword Determination, perseverance and commitment – three words which are key to success. They are also three words that can describe the 14 college students highlighted in this booklet. Each year the Association of Colleges names its Student of the Year. This celebrates the achievements of the exceptional students who stand out from the crowd. What makes this award so special is that it is not restricted by age, level or course. It isn’t only about whether somebody has achieved the top grades. Instead, we highlight the outstanding – someone who has succeeded, whether in competitions or overcoming adversity; the contribution that someone has made to the college and/or the wider community; and the inspirational nature of these accomplishments. Colleges provide high-quality technical and professional education and training for young people, adults and employers. They prepare over three million students with valuable skills for the workplace, helping to develop their career opportunities and strengthen the local, regional and national economy. We cannot forget the importance of positive role models for students. This year, along with our winner and runner-up, we selected 12 remarkable students from across the country to receive a highly commended award. Their stories are included in this booklet and highlight what can be achieved through determination, perseverance and commitment. We congratulate them all on their success.

Martin Doel CBE Chief Executive

John Widdowson CBE President

Student of the Year Student of the Year

Reece Taylor Derwentside College

Although Reece left school with no qualifications, he was determined to find a vocational trade that suited him. After trying tree surgery and construction, Reece attended taster courses at Derwentside College aimed at students not in education or training. From day one of entering the welding department, it was clear that Reece had a natural talent for fabrication and welding. In 2015, Reece completed an advanced apprenticeship in fabrication and welding. He was also the only competitor to represent the UK in the area of welding at the WorldSkills Competition 2015 in Sao Paulo. Although this is an achievement in itself, it is all the more remarkable as Reece held down an extremely responsible and pressurised job at

the same time, as well as also becoming a father. At the international competition, he won a Medallion of Excellence, finishing in the top 10% of competitors where many of his international opposition train full-time. During WorldSkills, Reece broke a bone in his hand, but continued through four gruelling days of the competition. Reece has spoken to prospective students at open evenings and at events in the community, stating clearly that ‘I left school with no

Reece’s dedication and skills led him to excel and he soon became an apprentice with a prestigious engineering company and beginning his journey towards representing his country.

qualifications and look where I am now, representing the UK at an international level’. This in turn has encouraged prospective students to apply to college and, very importantly, Reece has also inspired young people to re-engage with training.

Runner-up Runner-up

Nishall Garala Harlow College

Nishall is a truly inspirational young man who shares his time, knowledge and experience to make Harlow College and his community a better place. What makes his personal achievement both remarkable and outstanding, is that he achieved a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business for which he was awarded the highest possible result. As well as his course and work placement, Nishall was a Student Ambassador, Student Governor and an E-Learning Mentor. He is also dedicated to Harlow, its residents and institutions and shows tireless commitment and outstanding service by working as a volunteer with over 20 organisations. This has included:

¬¬ Serving on Harlow Youth Council ¬¬ Being a Police Youth Ambassador and sitting on the Independent Advisory Group with Harlow Police ¬¬ Raising the profile of Hinduism and representing Hindus and young people in the local interfaith forum ¬¬ Being Vice Chair of the Waterhouse Moor Residents’ Association

Nishall inspires others through his high level of motivation and commitment and his tireless support for the college, young people and for the Harlow Community.

¬¬ Representing young people on the Harlow Neighbourhood Action Panel

Highly Commended Highly Commended

Jacob Lewis Coleg y Cymoedd

Jacob made headlines for his remarkable feat of achieving four A*s in his A Levels to win a place to read law at Cambridge University whilst, to all intent and purposes, homeless. He grew up on a council estate in St Mellons, Cardiff. After completing his AS Levels with A grades, his family could no longer support him in education so he entered employment at the age of 17. In September 2014 he decided to complete his A Levels at Coleg y Cymoedd as a mature student.

Jacob had to combine full-time study with a series of insecure, lowpaid jobs to pay for his basic living expenses.

The college supported him from its student hardship fund, helping with his travel and subsistence costs and putting him up in a hotel when he could no longer afford his rent. In the run-up to his exams, Jacob was living in bed and breakfast accommodation and working 12 hours a day in the college library. On results day, he discovered that it had all been worth it when he achieved a remarkable four A*s, including full marks in A Level Law, to secure his place at Hughes Hall, Cambridge.

Jacob’s story has been shared around the world and he has used the publicity generated by his outstanding achievement to benefit others. He set up an online page to encourage donations to the college’s hardship fund in order to support other disadvantaged students who are struggling to afford to remain in fulltime education. Thanks to his tireless fundraising efforts, so far the fund has raised nearly £1,500, with pledges of support coming from all over the world.

Emily Mackay

James Grocock

In September 2013, Emily enrolled on a Level 3 Professional Cookery course at East Kent College. This is a journey that thousands make, but in November 2013 Emily was diagnosed

James has various conditions which affect his life. He has dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, a form

with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

succeed. James says he has good and bad days

The decision was made that she had to leave her course to focus on her recovery. The cancer

but just gets on with life and if he cannot do something at first, he tries again.

East Kent College

Central College Nottingham

of ADHD and autistic spectrum disorder. Yet he does not let this stop his determination to

went into remission and she was given the all clear, re-joining the college in September 2014 to begin her studies again. Yet in January 2015 the cancer returned. Emily was diagnosed with a tumour in her stomach. This time she vowed to continue with her studies. Throughout her second round of chemotherapy she continued her studies and when she missed days for treatment she made the time up. She completed her final test with a distinction grade. Emily records her journey through a blog

– cookingandcancer. wordpress.com – to communicate her condition publically. She became an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust, visiting schools and hospitals to talk about having cancer as a young person. What makes her different from other young

She has linked the harsh realities of chemotherapy against her love of cookery

people who are diagnosed with cancer is how she embraced her journey, showing the wider world that, far from consuming her, it has helped her grow.

James has made huge progress over the past year, not only on his Level 1 Diploma in Health and Social Care at Central College Nottingham, but also a Level 1 English qualification, which will enable him to progress to a Level 2 childcare course. Beyond his studies, James has volunteered to fundraise for people in a Gambian village after a group of students visited the country. Even though he had not been on the trip himself, James helped lead a team of students

who sold craft items sourced from the village to raise funds. The money will allow students to take essential provisions like sugar and flour to the villagers next year. He is a shining example of what can result from hard work and a positive attitude.

James has put his heart and soul into his course, not only to ensure he succeeds but also to help his fellow students along the way.

Bradley Carr Barnsley College

Bradley is an inspiring student to his peers and staff at Barnsley College. At the age of 14, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He underwent surgery which resulted in a visual impairment due to nerve damage in the brain and loss of some function of the right side of the body affecting walking, talking and writing. However he has not allowed this to be a barrier to his success, but rather has worked hard to meet these challenges. Bradley has attended the Royal Lifesaving Society Dearne Valley Lifesaving Club since he was 10-years-old, achieving a Silver Medallion Lifesaving award. At 14 he also started to study a teaching assistant award. Despite his illness, he has continued to volunteer at his local club every week where he has been teaching 8 to 15-year-old children.

Since joining Barnsley College to study A Levels, he has been an inspiration to all those around him. He has faced daily difficulties due to his vision problems and right-sided weakness, but never complains and has a 99% attendance record. In February 2015 a change in the tumour has resulted in starting chemotherapy for a further 12 months.

In 2015, he received the Royal Lifesaving Society UK Honours Award for Young Lifesaver of the Year.

Despite this, he sat 10 AS Level exams and has shown a real resilience and ability to go beyond the expectations of his parents and college staff.

Mustapha Mohammed

Callum Coles

Less than two years ago a severe road accident

Callum is a science student who has developed a natural flair for entrepreneurship. He led a team of eight students in a business set up under the Young Enterprise scheme which achieved national and international success.

City College Coventry

Cirencester College

left Mustapha in a wheelchair, with life-changing mobility issues. Undeterred, he wished to pursue a career in motor mechanics and enrolled at City College Coventry on a City & Guilds Level 1 Light Vehicle Maintenance course which he passed with flying colours. As part of his physiotherapy treatment he began cycling. He quickly learned to love the sport and through the college, he set up and runs a bike club. Mustapha’s zeal for exercise was epitomised when he completed last year’s London Marathon. Working with a local organisation Mustapha has set up and led the bike club which has not only helped students get fit and learn more about their city, but he has

also been instrumental in teaching a number of students to ride and maintain a bike, providing them with a greater level of independence. Mustapha has kept himself busy throughout the college year. As well as his regular studies, he was elected to the College’s Student Council as Equality and Diversity Officer. Mustapha has been a true inspiration to his fellow students.

Mustapha is a member of the Student Learner Voice forum and always attends meetings and ensures that student views are heard and acted upon.

As Managing Director of the team, Callum developed an idea of a breathalyser incorporated into a car key, called SoberDrive. If the driver was over the limit, the key would be disabled and therefore help reduce

It was Callum’s ability to manage so effectively at a young age, along with his inspirational idea, that made the company so successful.

drink driving. The scheme saw the team become not only the UK National Champions, but also the European Champions in the Skills for the Future Hyundai Young Enterprise Awards. Since winning the awards, he has appeared on regional news programmes, as well as meeting potential investors. This achievement is even more remarkable as it was carried out whilst studying for four A Levels and being accepted at the University of Bath.

Callum’s attitude inspires peers and teachers alike. Never one to say no to a challenge, he managed a team of students who respected and believed in him.

Connor Stevenson Bolton College

Connor first joined Raise the Youth, a foundation that helps troubled young people get their lives back on track, as a service-user. He was long-term unemployed and involved in substance misuse, criminality and anti-social behaviour. However, keen to get his life back on track, he stayed on at Raise the Youth as a volunteer for two years before being offered an apprenticeship. Connor is completing the Teaching and Learning Specialist Support for Schools Apprenticeship Diploma Level 3 at Bolton College and is an apprenticeship ambassador. He has had to overcome both academic and life challenges: his mum has passed away and his dad is in prison, so he has been left in sole charge of his younger siblings. He has had a profound

impact on the young people he works with. His role involves leading classroom-based sessions in English, maths and IT. However, if a student is difficult to motivate, he uses creativity to engage them through music, which then focuses them to work on their basic skills. Connor also sits on the youth council for Raise the Youth Foundation, representing local young

Connor has shown that it is possible to translate negative experiences into positive ones, by taking what you have learnt from your mistakes and passing it on to others in a similar situation.

people, and has been instrumental in raising funds for the site’s music studio.

Duncan Cathie

Hannah Cooper

Priestley College

Amersham and Wycombe College

During his GCSE year at school, Duncan was

Hannah started at the college in September 2014,

diagnosed with a giant non-secreting pituitary

studying Foundation Studies Employability Level

adenoma. Despite undergoing major surgery, chemotherapy and missing four months of

1. She has an autistic spectrum disorder and has specific learning difficulties, particularly with verbal

school, he achieved his target grades and moved to Priestley College to take A Levels.

comprehension, expressive language and spatial abilities, along with experiencing severe anxiety.

He underwent further surgery in 2014 and, once again, resumed his A Level studies after

This led to difficulties in interacting with her peers. Since joining the college, her confidence and

convalescence with minimum fuss. It is this resilience, plus his commitment to the well-being of others, that makes Duncan such an outstanding student. Duncan is involved in numerous activities both inside and outside the college. He has been elected as Vice President of the College Council, developing ways to increase the student voice through social media. He also chaired

the pre-election Question Time session with local parliamentary candidates and captained the panability football team encouraging and inspiring other students with disabilities to get involved. Outside college Duncan is active in supporting the work of Clic Sargent, attending advisory group meetings, which act as a forum for cancer patients to discuss their experiences.

He has become an avid fundraiser for different charities and has managed to encourage many others to take part in the events he organises. He spoke about his involvement with Clic Sargent to college staff and students to encourage them to fundraise. He has also been a main fundraiser for the college charity, Priestley Education and Training Trust. Duncan takes whatever is thrown at him and makes not just the best of it, but makes it better.

approach has changed completely. As part of her studies, she was tasked with developing a Young Enterprise company, as part of a group of nine students. This programme is designed to aid the transition from education into independent living and employment by developing life skills through working as a team to set up and run a business or social enterprise. Hannah was drawn to the role of Managing Director. Since

taking that position, she has shown real determination and managed to undertake different strategies to help overcome her anxiety. She has since developed leadership skills and understanding of others opinions, and has taken on her responsibilities with great efficiency. Through being part of the programme Hannah has earned the respect and friendship of other students and staff alike.

Hannah led her team through the Young Enterprise Chiltern Area Board Company Finals, winning the award for ‘outstanding achievement’ for their team work. They went on to win Best Company 2015 at another Young Enterprise team event. These awards are a great tribute to Hannah’s leadership skills.

Carla Portmans

Ben Parsons

As a single mother of a young child with special needs, Carla is striving to educate herself in order to create a better life for them both. Having been

Ben has Ehlers-Danloss Syndrome and dyslexia

Richmond Adult Community College

Richmond upon Thames College

and struggled with mainstream education.

diagnosed with dyslexia at 13, Carla left school

Coming up through a local special school, he started playing wheelchair basketball and loved

without much of an education. She has joined Richmond Adult Community College as a mature

it. When he started at Richmond upon Thames College, studying a Level 1 course in IT Gateway

student to study Fashion and Clothing NCFE Level 1 and has become an extremely skilled

Business and Support, he was unable to join in sport activities at college, which had been so

seamstress.

beneficial to him previously.

Carla has designed, printed and produced a range of t-shirts and soft furnishings to sell in the college shop and with the proceeds she plans to set up an organisation to help children with special needs to learn how to sew. She is a problem solver and thrives on finding new techniques and improving on old ones. Carla always shares her results with the class and takes the

time to explain how she has achieved something. She genuinely cares and wants her classmates to do well and will help in any way she can. There is no doubt that she has a hard domestic life and yet she is always punctual, happy, ready to learn and helpful. Carla turns 50 this year and, as a mature student, she has become a good communicator.

Carla’s desire to achieve and thirst for knowledge is growing while maintaining the spirit of a woman half her age.

As a result, Ben persuaded his peers and teacher to press for a trial wheelchair basketball club for the college’s supported learning section. He played a key role in making this a permanent fixture, bringing in more staff support, liaising with the Wheelchair Basketball Association and helping to draw up funding bids for Sport England and the Lords Taverners, a disability sport charity. The success of these bids

Wheelchair sport is firmly on the agenda at college now and Ben has had a huge impact on the profile of college sport. and the use of special chairs means that local special schools can be introduced to wheelchair basketball in a new league. The local adult wheelchair basketball club will also be based at the college. Ben also secured funding for his coaching awards and raised funds voluntarily for two other supported learning students to train alongside him.

Roua Adel Sami Salford City College

Roua came to the UK having left Iraq via Jordan without finishing her secondary school qualifications and with very little knowledge of the English language. Through sheer determination, Roua’s level of English quickly developed and she joined Salford City College to do a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science. Whilst studying at college, Roua’s baby sister was diagnosed with a severe genetic blood disorder which required Roua to be her main carer when she was in hospital, and to act as a translator for the family. Despite such difficulties, she maintained a near-perfect attendance record over two years and never missed a deadline. Roua was very active in college both as a student mentor and as an ambassador for the science department. She volunteered to help

out at open evenings where she shared her enthusiasm for science. The threefold increase in the number of female Muslim students taking up the BTEC Applied Science course in the subsequent year is strongly attributed to Roua’s efforts in the promotion of science and the course in general. Throughout her studies, Roua showed great determination, knowledge, skills and application in achieving a triple-starred distinction grade in

her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science. She went on to secure a place to read Pharmacy at Durham University. Roua is a shining example of how a vocational qualification in science and sheer determination can be so powerful in ensuring social mobility and in achieving one’s goals.

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