School Pupils Graduate From Vocational Programmes

More than 100 pupils at schools across Derby and Derbyshire have graduated from  two-year vocational study programmes at Derby College.

Year 11 pupils from Heanor Gate Science College, Merrill Academy, Allestree Woodlands, Derby Moor Community Sports College,  Alfreton Grange Arts College, Frederick Gent, Murray Park Community, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar, Friesland, Brookfield Community, Bemrose Community, Netherthorpe,  Tupton Hall, St Martin’s schools, as well as young people who have been educated at home, were presented with certificates to mark the end of their course.

Pupils were joined by their families, teachers and governors from the schools for the first Pre-16 graduation ceremony at Derby College’s the Roundhouse campus in Pride Park to celebrate success. Lecturers in the College’s Hair and Beauty, Motor Vehicle, Construction, Pathways and Land-based academies also announced the most improved and the outstanding learners of the year in each vocational area. In Hair and Beauty, St Martins School pupils Meghan Simpson and Ally Freeman won awards for the outstanding pupil and most improved respectively. Motor Vehicle learner David MacArthur from Merrill Academy won the outstanding award for his work and most improved was Daniel Wild from Heanor Gate Science College. Murray Park Community School pupil George Carter won the Construction Academy’s outstanding learner award with Emily Jones from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School most improved. The Pathways Academy recognised the achievements of Merrill Academy pupils Patricia Srocenska as the outstanding learner with Sardar Ali as the most improved. Meanwhile Abigael Risebro, who is home educated and Allestree Woodlands’ pupil Ryan Meades won the awards in the Land-based Academy.

Derby College Vice Principal Anita Straffon said: “Our role as a College is to prepare individuals for the next stage in their lives and it is wonderful to see how much these young people have achieved during their time at College through our Schools Partnership programme. “This is the first time that we have held a special graduation ceremony and I want to wish all the Class of 2016 the very best of luck in the next stages of their education and training.”

Back to news