School Pupils Graduate from Vocational Programmes at Derby College Group
More than 100 pupils from schools across Derby and Derbyshire have graduated from vocational study programmes at Derby College Group (DCG).
Pupils were joined by more than 100 guests, including their families, teachers and head teachers from the schools for the Pre-16 graduation ceremony at The Roundhouse Technical and Professional Skills college in Pride Park to celebrate their success.
Year 11 graduates were from Murray Park Community School, Allestree Woodlands, John Flamsteed Community School, Tibshelf Community School, The Bemrose School, Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy, Brackenfield School, Royal School for the Deaf Derby, Quarrydale Academy, St Martin’s School, John Port Spencer Academy, Landau Forte College, Littleover Community School, Castle Donington College, The Belper School, Lees Brook Community School and Noel Baker Academy.
They were presented with certificates to mark the end of two years’ work at Derby College and many of the students will now be returning to the College on full time programmes in September.
Special recognition certificates were awarded to the ‘Most Outstanding’ and ‘Most Improved’ pupils in each vocational area and a Year 10 pupil from each academy was also honoured with ‘Rising Stars’ awards.
The largest cohort of students have studied in the Construction Academy. There were two Rising Star awards for Kinga Zareba from Murray Park Community School and Harry Phillips from John Flamsteed Community School.
Callum Kelly from Royal School for the Deaf Derby received the award for Most Improved and the Most Outstanding award was shared by Kieran Sanders from John Flamsteed Community School and Ellena-Mai Dean from Murray Park Community School.
The Hair and Beauty Rising Star award went to Hannah Nabiyah from Allestree Woodlands whilst Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy pupils Laura Thole and Codie Smith won Most Improved and Most Outstanding respectively.
In the Motor Vehicle Academy, pupils from The Bemrose School won all three awards. Rising Star was Roman Jozko, Zain Yaqub won Most Improved and Matthew Sims was presented with the Most Outstanding award.
In the Land-based academy, Evie Hudson-Oldroyd, who is home educated, was the Rising Star with Lewis Parker from Tibshelf Community School receiving the Most Improved award and Kate Lane, who is home educated, receiving the award for Most Outstanding.
Student successes were also highlighted for the work they have achieved in the Rolls-Royce YA Engineering Academy which is delivered by Derby College staff at the company’s Learning and Development Centre.
Rising Star was Barnaby Allen from Allestree Woodlands with Most Improved presented to Anna Cresswell from Allestree Woodlands and Most Outstanding student was Musab Gumaa from Littleover Community School.
The graduates were congratulated officially by Mrs Nicola Caley, Headteacher of Murray Park Community School who spoke about their longstanding relationship with DCG.
“Our relationship with Derby College goes back 15 years and in that time we have seen students develop resilience, focus and enthusiasm which has led to them being more focused at school.
“The work that Derby College does with these young people is changing lives and I want to thank all the staff here for their care and passion.”
Charlotte Binks, an award-winning member of the Pre-16 programme alumni spoke about her experience on the Animal Care programme helped her progress onto an apprenticeship at Pride Veterinary Centre in Derby.
“Coming to Derby College not only gave me valuable qualifications but also made me see that education at school was important.”
DCG Deputy Chief Executive Heather Simcox concluded: “Everyone should be very proud of their achievements and I hope their experience here has made everyone strong to take on new challenges in the future.”