Following three years of online events, the Keith Fletcher Memorial Access to HE Prize finally returned to the Houses of Parliament for a wonderful presentation event and celebration of Access students nationwide.
Laser Learning Awards coordinated the event on behalf of all the Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) and were honoured to be hosted in The Jubilee Room of Westminster Hall by Matt Western MP, Shadow Minister (Education).
The event was opened by Vida Stewart, CEO, Laser Learning Awards who welcomed the winners and their supporters, along with nominators and AVA representatives. It was a pleasure to be able to recognise the achievements of Access learners and to showcase four exceptional students. Vida urged the prize winners that wherever their lives takes them from here, they should be sure to never stop being proud of their achievement. Following Vida, Ann-Marie Karadia from The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) addressed the audience, reminiscing about Keith Fletcher, after whom the awards are named. He was a fierce advocate for the qualification and dedicated his working life to furthering Access to HE, he was a good colleague and is still very much missed. Ann-Marie highlighted that this year would mark the one millionth registration for Access to HE (since the QAA formally took on regulation of the qualification) which is a cause for celebration. She also outlined some of the upcoming changes and the commitment to maintaining Access to HE’s special status in the education landscape.
Matt Western MP, then spoke about how pleased he was to welcome the winners to the event, talking about his own passion for supporting education and looking forward to hearing their stories. As this point the floor was handed to the winners and nominees. Each nominee was invited to introduce their winner and give an overview of why they had been nominated. It was wonderful to hear the stories for each winner and their commitment and passion to their studies, often in the face of adversity. The introductions for both the runner up and winner of the Outstanding Commitment to Study prize moved the audience to tears with the challenges they had both faced. Throughout the event we heard of inspiration, dedication, and passion encapsulating the spirit of Access students nationwide.
The event culminated with afternoon tea, allowing everyone to mingle, share congratulations, and capture memorable photos before bidding farewell and dispersing into the radiant sunshine.
Outstanding Academic Achievement:
Criteria for nomination: Students proposed in this category should have excelled in their academic study by producing assessed work of a consistently outstanding quality whilst on their Access courses. They should have shown evidence of some or all the following:
- outstanding commitment to their Access studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances,
- having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning,
- individual achievement beyond standard expectations,
- clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond that which would normally be required of a student.
Winner: Kelly Osborne, Grwp Llandrillo Menai – Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Agored Cymru
“Kelly produced consistent work which merits award of outstanding academic achievement. All of Kelly’s units across the diploma were of distinction level. She excelled in her role as class representative and has been back this academic year to offer words of advice to the new academic year and share her experiences of her successful application to study midwifery.” Tutor
“Fantastic standard of work and display of academic skills. The nomination highlighting their role as class representative and returning to offer words of advice will serve as an inspiration.” Judge
Runner-up: Patrick Munn, Chichester College, Laser Learning Awards
“From the first assignment submitted, it was clear that Pat has a strong academic awareness and ability. Pat deserves this nomination because he was consistently working at a high standard and showed areas where he improved further across the year.” Tutor
An excellent account of terrorism, supported by an impressive range of references. The college identified the dedication and academic potential of the learner.” Judge
Outstanding Commitment to Study:
Criteria for nomination: Students in this category should have shown evidence of some or all the following:
- outstanding commitment to their Access studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances,
- having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning,
- individual achievement beyond standard expectations,
- clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond that which would normally be required of a student.
Winner: Kelly Doran, Bury College, Open Awards
“A highly motivated student who faced multiple hardships. Despite tragic and traumatic circumstances. This student demonstrates an uncompromising and outstanding commitment to study. They were absolutely determined to succeed in very arduous circumstances.” Judge
Runner-up: Gemma Lee, Mediprospects, Gateway Qualifications
“This learner has faced enormous challenges during her adult life, as a parent and a carer for a relative. The emotions stemming from hospitalisation can be difficult to cope with, but this learner clearly had the determination to succeed and to progress onto the next academic level.” Judge