Higher Education Achievements Celebrated

24th October 2008 11:40am - Return to press releases

The achievements of higher education students from East Riding College were celebrated in a ceremony at the Priory Church of St Mary in Bridlington on Saturday, October 18.

More than 150 guests turned out to watch 60 students presented with scrolls by Principal Derek Branton in recognition of the successful completion of their course.

Winner of the student of the year award was Ann-Marie Vaux, 40, from Haisthorpe, near Bridlington, who completed the Higher National Diploma in Computing (Software Development) with 13 distinctions from 16 units.

She said: ?I?m absolutely amazed to get the award. I would never have thought I would win it.

?I enjoyed college so much and I would recommend it to anyone, whatever age they are.?

Ann-Marie received a trophy and a cheque for ?100 from gown suppliers Ede and Ravenscroft.

It was also a proud day for Sandra Marshall, from Beverley, who was presented with ?50 in high street vouchers from the Association of Taxation Technicians for being the outstanding student in the Diploma in Accounting course.

Mr Branton said: ?At East Riding College, we are committed to extending learning opportunities throughout East Yorkshire and offer people the opportunity to make a lasting and positive change to their lives.

?It was wonderful to see the students and their families glowing with pride at the awards ceremony, especially as many might not have taken their course had they not been able to do so in an environment as accessible as East Riding College.?

He added: ?We are continually expanding our range of higher education programmes and many of the new courses will be based in Bridlington at our new St Mary?s Walk campus.

?The new college building will provide state of the art learning facilities in Bridlington and by the end of the decade I believe the College?s facilities and the further and higher education provision will rank with the best nationally.?

David Thacker, chairman of the College?s governors said: ?The ceremony was absolutely wonderful for lots of reasons.

?It was an opportunity for the students to get the recognition they deserve for all the hard work they have put into completing their higher education programme successfully.

?Not only have they enjoyed the course but they have had outstanding support from their family and the staff at East Riding College.?

Higher education at East Riding College is built on partnerships with the University of Hull, the University of Huddersfield and the validating bodies City and Guilds and National Open College Network.

The College runs degree, foundation degree and other higher education courses in business management, computing, digital media, education, teacher training and classroom support.

There are courses called Access to Higher Education which prepare people to step up to higher education level and are especially appropriate for people who have been out of education for several years.

New courses running from September 2009 include the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care, the Foundation Degree in Automotive Technologies and the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Exercise Science.

For more information or to request a 2009 higher education course guide, call the College on 0845 120 0037.