Students Celebrate Success

13th November 2007 9:00am - Return to press releases

Students who achieved the Certificate in Education course, on the front row 3rd from left Mr John McNichol, School of Education and Professional Development, Centre Liaison Tutor, University of Huddersfield, Sue Tuckey, Vice Principal, East Riding College, Dave Thacker, Chairman of the Corporation, East Riding College, Derek Branton, Principal, East Riding College, Ms Viv Parker, Senior Advisor, University of Hull.

East Riding College held its Higher Education graduation ceremony on Saturday 3 November at The Bridlington Priory, to celebrate student achievements on a wide range of Higher Education courses.

The event was very well attended, and guests included the Mayor of Bridlington, Councillor Ray Allerston and Mayoress Mrs Christine Allerston and Guest Speaker Mr John McNichol, from the University of Huddersfield. But most importantly for the students, tutors, family and friends were there to share in the occasion.

Two students, Jolienne Hagan and Sharon Lofthouse, received Student of the Year Awards in addition to their course certificates.

Jolienne Hagan from Bridlington received the Student of the Year Award for Access to Higher Education.

Jolienne demonstrated the characteristic high motivation and hard work of a typical Access student to a high degree. As well as achieving the Access to Higher Education course she also gained a GCSE in Maths and English.

Jean Towers, Course Tutor said ?Jo was always friendly and supportive of other students and was always very reliable. She achieved all this and coped with the demands of a young family. ?These attributes and skills should equip Jo well for her chosen nursing career.?

Sharon Lofthouse from Bilton, Hull, achieved the Certificate in Education and also received the Student of the Year Award for Higher Education.

Sharon?s great strength is her excellent classroom practice where she uses creative methods to engage often difficult groups of learners.

Group of Students celebrating outside of the PrioryJane Chadwick, Course Tutor said ?Sharon worked hard and produced well written and researched assignments to a high standard.?

Following the ceremony, the students and their families returned to the College?s Bridlington site for a buffet and light refreshments, provided by the College?s catering students.

The range of qualifications achieved reflected the growing number of Higher Education courses offered by the College, which include, Access to Higher Education, Certificate and Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Higher National Certificate and Diploma courses and a range of Foundation Degrees.

Over the next three years the College will be increasing further the range of Foundation Degrees offered in association with Hull University and other partner colleges through the Yorkshire and Humberside East Lifelong Learning Network. This partnership arrangement is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to fund more HE places in the colleges across the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

Many of the new HE programmes are to be based in Bridlington at the St Mary?s Walk site. Over recent months, East Riding College has announced plans to radically improve the accommodation and learning facilities in Bridlington.

Derek Branton, Principal said ?By the end of the decade I believe the College?s facilities and the further and higher education provision here in Bridlington & Beverley will rank with the best nationally. The College goes from strength to strength as we build our reputation as the first choice provider of post-16 vocational education in the East Riding. This year the high quality of the provision we offer has been commended by both Ofsted and the Quality Assurance Agency.?