LUDLOW College is congratulating its outstanding students who were nominated and received awards at the recent annual presentation evening. The event is held for students, family, friends and staff to celebrate success, achievement and in recognition of a combination of hard work and commitment.

More than 130 people attended the event, including the Mayor of Ludlow, Cllr Paul Draper as well as local award sponsors and college governors.

College principal Ian Peake welcomed everyone and commended the young people on all of their achievements.

"The College has had excellent results this year, A Levels had a 99.6% pass rate with a significant increase in A* to B grades, and the Diplomas had a pass rate of 99%," he said.

"Even though statistics are of course important they do not fully reflect all the hard work and perseverance that go into each achievement.

"This evening is about recognising your individual successes and I wish all of you every happiness for the future.”

The Principal concluded with a quote from Aristotle: “‘The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet’. I sincerely hope the Ludlow College roots didn’t taste too bad and that you will all enjoy the fruit of your labours.”

There were over 27 sponsored awards and 21 individual subject prizes.

Many of the students receiving awards had achieved the maximum grades possible across their subject areas and have progressed to the university of their choice.

Katie McCoshan who was awarded the ‘Principal’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement at A Level’ is one such student. Accomplishing A grades in Chemistry, Geography, Maths and EPQ, Katie is now studying at Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University.

“I am very happy to have won the award,” commented Katie.

Hope Robson who was awarded the ‘Principal’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement on a Vocational Programme’ also received maximum grades in her subject, Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Hope said: “I didn’t get on that well at school and studying here gave me another chance. College brought out so much confidence in me and if it wasn’t for my tutors I wouldn’t be as well-organised and well-equipped for the future as I am now.

"I am currently studying complementary therapies which I can use in a health and social care context. I would then like to do further study at Levels 4 and 5 with the view to one day managing a care home.”

The guest speaker Ian Barge gave a heartfelt speech about what a special place the college continues to be.

As a former teacher at the college for 42 years, Ian regaled the audience with tales of academic mischief before presenting the awards.

The evening concluded with beautifully presented and tasty canapes provided by the College’s Professional Chef Diploma students and live music from Alex and Dan Clewlow who both received the Ludlow College prize for Contribution to Drama. They are both going to study Commercial Music at Bath Spa University.