Many West London College students have been honoured at the 2016/17 Celebration of Success Awards, featuring actor, comedian and social media star, Tolu Ogunmefun.
A total of 65 students from each of our colleges were honoured for their achievements, work ethic and for overcoming adversity. Also recognised on the night were apprenticeship employees Hillingdon Autistic Care & Support Limited and Bouygues UK for their stellar job in helping to provide bright futures for some of our apprentices.
As a college, we have had a highly successful year, returning to Ofsted ‘Good’ in just 18 months and winning the TES FE Award for Best Use of Technology. This night, however, the spotlight was on honouring the students and their outstanding and inspirational success.
Actor, comedian and Youtube star Tolu Ogunmefun gave an inspirational and entertaining speech, reminding students of the importance of persistence and doing what you love. He also gave credit to all the teachers and parents who supported students on the night.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the awards for Student of the Year and Apprentice of the Year which were presented to Access to HE student Louise Fyfe-Taylor and plastering apprentice Lee Vowles.
Louise has been a truly outstanding student, achieving distinctions in all her graded units and being an amazing source of support and help to her fellow classmates. On top of her work at college, Louise has collected over 45,000 signatures on a petition to let schools in England know that they have to have a medical conditions policy. Louise has accepted an offer to study pediatric nursing at King’s College and will start in September.
Lee is an excellent apprentice with a great attitude, keenness and work ethic. This year Lee became a father and despite having less study time than his peers still passed all of his exams the first time and came into college in his own time to complete work. He started out his apprenticeship as a somewhat shy character, but has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and developed into a confident, talented and inspiring young man.
Gary Phillips, CEO and Principal at West London College, said: “Tonight has been an ecstatic and exciting event to finish the year off and celebrate our students’ achievement. They’ve spent the past year gaining their qualifications to move into higher education, further education or employment. We wish them all the best, it’s been a fantastic night and every credit to their endeavours.”