Students and families celebrate higher education achievements

30th October 2013 2:12pm - Return to press releases

Graduates and their families packed the Priory Church of St Mary in Bridlington to celebrate the achievements of higher education students from East Riding College.
The church was full with about 400 people attending the event, which saw students presented with scrolls by Principal Derek Branton in recognition of the successful completion of their course.

The winner of the student of the year award was Madaline Palmer, 44, from Hessle, who studied on the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Policy and Practice.
She was chosen for the award because of her passion for her studies and using what she learned to drive standards in the care of children in the nursery where she works.
Madaline, a nursery nurse at the McMillan Nursery School in North Hull Estate, started off on one of College’s bite size study skills courses prior to the foundation degree and steadily grew in confidence over the years to achieve first class marks.  
She has now progressed to a “top-up” degree with the College, a one-year course which will turn the foundation degree into a full BA (Hons), with a view to then doing a PGCE teacher’s qualification. Her ambition is to become a childcare tutor.

She said: “The course has really helped me to fulfil my role at work and spurred me to do further training.
 “I’m really pleased to receive the award and I want to thank the College, particularly my tutors Gerry and Sophie, my employer and my course mates for their support throughout.
“I would also like to thank my family for their continued support through the time I have been doing the course.”

Principal, Derek Branton said: "The ceremony was an enjoyable family occasion. We heard from many graduates about how their new qualifications had supported them to advance in their jobs or find new employment opportunities, which is exactly what these courses are designed for.
“It is so pleasing to see the sense of pride that this level of success at higher education level instils in our learners and the positive impact that is having on their lives. We are delighted to have supported them in their achievements.”

Higher education at East Riding College is built on partnerships with the University of Hull, the University of Huddersfield and national validating bodies.
The College runs an expanding range of degrees, foundation degrees and higher national certificates and diplomas in a wide area of subjects, as well as various teacher training courses.
There are also 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.
For more information or to request a 2014 higher education course guide, call the College on 0845 120 0037 or visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk

Find more photos in the Facebook album at: http://on.fb.me/1clhNqq

Ends

Notes to editors

Photographs of students following the ceremony are available. For more information, call Matthew Croshaw, marketing and communications manager, on 01482 306612 or email [email protected]