Last week the College held a HE Graduation Ceremony for our students. These students have all come from different backgrounds and are at different stages in their lives to make their dreams come true.

The awards were presented by our Principal, Vice Principal and Chair of Governor’s. Awards:

• The Vice Principal’s Award for Scholarship
• Chair of Governors’ Award for Student Engagement
• Principal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

James Shaw – Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and Training (PGCE)

A 35-year-old student who comes from a background in the insurance and financial industry. He had been thinking of going into teaching for a long while, however, having a young family meant he found it difficult to take time out of work to study.

“I was working at a local college when an opportunity arose for me to become a trainee business studies teacher, so I could train to teach whilst working. This required me to undertake a PGCE, so I went for it and chose Leicester College.”

James won the Vice Principal’s Award for Scholarship – It is an award given for a piece of outstanding original research. He won this award due to the action research project he undertook to complete his PGCE on ‘Checks on Learning’.

“I was astounded to have received the award out of my PGCE class, let alone the whole of the College’s HE provision. There were many excellent research projects completed. So it was a complete surprise and I feel immensely proud and honoured to have received the award.”

James plans to complete a masters in education in the near future and progress to a PhD.

Cara Bennett – Children, Families and Community Health Certificate of Higher Education

A 29-year-old student at the College who has a background in customer service. She came back to education because she has always wanted to work with children and families. As soon as she had the chance to give up work and study full-time, she chose to do the Children, Family and Community Health Foundation Degree at Leicester College.

She won the Chair of Governors’ Award for Student Engagement – it is an award given to a student who has played an active role in the College’s HE community. Cara won this award for all the work she did with the HE office, her Student Ambassador role within the Student Union.

“I was pregnant with my first child in my final year and it was difficult to come to college with morning sickness and tiredness. I still managed to maintain good attendance, finishing my modules with six distinctions and three merits.

“I was also a Student Ambassador, helping the Student Union to build bridges with DMU.”

Cara plans to take a break with her new-born before going onto completing a PGCE and a masters in the future. We love hearing success stories like these, we wish Cara the best of luck for the future.

Casey Taylor – Artistic Make-up and Special Effects Foundation Degree

A 20-year-old student who has graduated in Artistic Make-up and Special Effects.

“When I was 15 I found some videos online on how to do some special effects make-up and I fell in love with it. I came to Leicester College and completed the level 2 and 3, and have just completed the foundation degree.

“I’ve learnt a lot, I’ve shocked myself, I never thought I’d be able to produce the type of work I can now.”

Casey won the Principal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. During his time at the College, he travelled to make-up conventions, did make-up at Alton Towers Scare Fest and also got himself a job at Make-up Forever in Debenhams.

Casey plans to get a full-time job at Make-up Forever, then progressing further within the industry.

Leicester College is a place full of opportunities, regardless of where you are in life. Have a look at any one of our courses to see what’s right for you. Enrol Now.