Laser Learning Awards Signs Exclusivity Agreement with GEC Academy
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History of the Awards
The national Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize has long been synonymous with honouring the outstanding achievements of Access to HE students.
The prize is named in memory of Keith Fletcher, who worked for many years in the South West of England and was a great supporter and enthusiast of adult learning. His family continues to support this award which is run by all nine Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) across England and Wales. The judging panel is drawn from across all participating AVAs.
Nominations are taken from each AVA and the winners and runners up in each category are invited to a special presentation event at the House of Commons. Each of the winners and runners up receive a certificate and a monetary prize to help them with their future study.
For 2022-23 the successful students were:
Outstanding Academic Achievement Winners
Winner:
Vlad Starchenko, City and Islington College
“The generation of exceptional assignments within an Access course in Engineering is to be celebrated. This student is clearly determined to succeed and has the potential to complete work at a high standard. It is interesting to note that such achievement was against a background of numerous personal challenges.” Judge
“Vlad Starchenko is an extraordinary individual whose journey and accomplishments are truly inspiring. His outstanding academic achievements, particularly in the face of adversity and personal challenges, demonstrate a level of excellence and dedication that is rarely seen.“ City and Islington College
Highly Commended:
Sophie Clark, Nottingham Trent University
“It is clear that this student is most able in academic terms. A poster presentation, based on the oral contraceptive pill, was excellent. This assignment demonstrated the ability to research a topic and to consolidate the most important facts in a clear manner. The supporting statement provided by her tutor(s) was very positive and reflected the challenges faced by this student during her period of study. She is very much worthy of this recommendation.“ Judge
“It has been an absolute delight to teach Sophie this year and we too have learned an awful lot from her about determination and resilience. After the challenges and difficulties that Sophie has been through previously it would have been so easy for her to remain low key and under the radar but she pushed herself every single day to be the best that she can be and she really has been a huge inspiration to all those that have had the pleasure of her company. I highly recommend that Sophie would be well deserved winner of this award.”Nottingham Trent University
Outstanding Commitment to Study
Winner:
Sara Head, Cardiff and Vale College
“This student has achieved to a high standard despite some extremely serious health challenges. The determination that drove her to turn her disability into something that she could use, through sport, to achieve, was then shown after her near disastrous brush with Covid. Despite this she completed her diploma with good grades. Her achievements will change her life and give her an entirely new career.” Judge
“Sara’s commitment to study has been exceptional: she has inspired both learners and tutors with her positivity and resilience. She has proved to be a role model for everyone and deserves to have this commitment recognised.” Tutor, Cardiff and Vale College
Highly Commended:
Danny Svenson, Bishop Burton College
“This student clearly had to work hard to develop and master the basic study and IT skills needed to succeed, and it is to his credit that he did this while his personal life was stressful. He has done well to persevere and achieve.” Judge
“Throughout the course, even when Danny was struggling, he also went out of his way to ensure other people on the course were keeping up, and to ensure that when other students had personal problems, he was there as a friend supporting them through it. Danny has shown outstanding commitment to his access course, and is now thoroughly enjoying his first year on degree.” Tutor, Bishop Burton College
