Students shine as they pick up college awards

On June 20, students filled Dunstable’s Grove Theatre to receive awards presented by principal Ali Hadawi.

Overall Student of the Year was Lucy Emerton, who is completing her Public Services Level 3 course and has already been accepted into the army.

During Lucy’s application process for the army she excelled and the recruitment staff commented on Lucy being one of the best recruits in recent years.

The guest speaker at the event was leader of Central Beds Council, Councillor James Jamieson, who used his speech to congratulate the students and reiterate the importance of gaining transferable skills that meet the needs of the local economy.

The awards were sponsored by a range of regional and national organisations and businesses, including Atkins, Heart, the Learning Partnership and Bartham Group.

The awards continued on Monday (July 2), when the Central Bedfordshire College Access Awards ceremony The University of Bedfordshire’s Putteridge Bury Campus.

The event saw 150 Access to Higher Education Diploma students celebrate their success and achievement on the college’s various Access courses.

The awards recognised the efforts and success of adults who have not only been studying for a qualification to further their career, but also juggling work and family commitments.

Access courses were created to help and support adults that have been out of education return to a learning environment with the aim of progressing on and achieving places at university.

Access course co-ordinator, Anne Rixson, said: “Everyone should be very proud of their achievement.

“They have all worked tremendously hard. We look forward to hearing how they are all getting on at university next year.”

The college’s access courses include business and professional qualifications, nursing and midwifery, and professions allied to medicine, humanities and social sciences, teacher education, science and business.

A spokesman for the college said: “Central Bedfordshire College would like to congratulate to all the award winners, and wish them the very best for the future.”