The achievements of former Shrewsbury Colleges Group students were celebrated at a virtual student awards ceremony this week.
SCG has celebrated the exceptional students who finished their studies in 2020 and to reward all their hard work, especially throughout the challenges of the first lockdown.
Stand-out students who had gone the extra mile during their time at the College, from all curriculum areas, were nominated by their teachers, for the third year of awards in a row.
35 students were chosen from the cohort of 2018-2020 and invited to the virtual event, along with family, friends, college staff and members of the local education and business community.
The ceremony concluded with a set of special awards, with three students receiving recognition for Outstanding Contribution, and two for Success Against the Odds.
The 35 winning students all received a specially engraved glass trophy, a check for £50 and an award citation in the post.
This year’s Overall Student of The Year was Lauren Ainscough who was chosen from the 35 successful students to be handed awards. Lauren, from Shrewsbury, and formerly of The Priory School, studied Maths, History, English Literature and French A Levels. She achieved 4 A* grades and took up a place at the University of Cambridge to study Law.
Lauren was nominated by Chris Sears, Director of A Levels, who said: “Lauren previously attended Priory School where, in addition to achieving an impressive set of 10 grade 9/A* GCSEs, she also showed a commitment to supporting other events in her school and the wider community. For example, she took part in poppy selling for Remembrance Day events, gained a youth first aid certificate and was a driving force in the establishment of a new girls’ rugby team at Shrewsbury Rugby Club, to name but a few of her other interests.
“She was clearly going to be an academically ambitious student and took on a varied programme of four A levels. Her teachers were all quickly impressed by her ability, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to continuously improve.
“It is not just her academic achievements which have led to the award tonight, impressive though they are. Without exception, everyone that worked with Lauren during her time at college commented on her popularity, her friendly disposition, the positive approach she took in all classes and her willingness to help other students in a supportive way. She also contributed to the wider life of the college, for example participating in girls’ rugby, as well as talking to the next cohort of students about her experiences of the Oxbridge application process in order to assist them with their progression plans.
“Her teachers were unanimously supportive in their nominations for this award; Lauren was an outstanding student in every sense during her time with us and we wish her every success with her degree course and her future career.
Lauren said: “Studying A-Levels at Shrewsbury Colleges Group has prepared me academically for progression onto a Russell Group University to study Law, as well as helping me to advance and flourish as an individual to prepare me socially also.”
Luke Ure and Edward Chinn won the Success against the Odds Awards. Charlotte Pugh, Oscar Redgrave and Kai Bartlett were recognised for Outstanding Contribution.
SCG Principal, James Staniforth said: “SCG works with nearly 9000 students, including 3600 full-time students studying at our campuses in Shrewsbury. We are proud of all our students and their individual journeys. We are also a college committed to students achieving the extraordinary and therefore to be nominated for an award for achievement is something special and to win one of the 35 awards is exceptional.
“The students we are honouring this evening have achieved exceptional things, because of their hard work, commitment, elan and decency. They are the best of the best and we have been graced by their presence at college.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognise that our students may be stars, but they have shined brighter because of the support they have received, from their families, their friends, and from their teachers and support staff.”
Adult Student of the Year – Emma Clarke
Apprenticeship Team of the Year – Tom Mills, Chloe Millington, Belinda Nightingale
Biology Student of the Year – Alice Lenton
Business Student of the Year – Scarlett Preston-Jones
Chemistry & Applied Science Student of the Year - Charles Butler
Computing & IT Student of the Year – Michael Peters
Carpentry, Joinery & Brickwork Student of the Year – Richard Cowley
Electrical, Plumbing & Gas Student of the Year – Sam Evans
Earth Sciences Student of the Year – Ryan Meddins
Engineering & Motor Vehicle Student of the Year – Thomas Earnshaw
English Student of the Year – Allison Birch
Health & Social Care Student of the Year – Imogen Pentz
Higher Education Student of the Year – Amy Gill
Humanities Student of the Year – Sam Williams
Maths Student of the Year – Aaron Lindsay
Media Student of the Year – Sanaa Salim
Modern Foreign Languages Student of the Year – Adelheid Clark
Music Student of the Year – Samuel Goodhead
Outstanding Contribution Student of the Year – Charlotte Pugh
Outstanding Contribution Student of the Year – Oscar Redgrave
Outstanding Contribution Student of the Year – Kai Bartlett
Overall Student of the Year – Lauren Ainscough
Performance Arts Student of the Year – Jessica Elsey
Physics, Computing & Electronics Student of the Year – Thomas Sharratt
Political Sciences Student of the Year – Jade Roberts
Preparation Routes Student of the Year – Lucy Buckley
Professional Services Student of the Year – Lauren Morton
Social Sciences Student of the Year – Isaac Laing
Sport, Outdoor & Public Services Student of the Year – Ivan Oldershaw
Success Against the Odds Student of the Year – Luke Ure
Success Against the Odds Student of the Year – Edward Chinn
Visual Art 2D Student of the Year – Eddie Mould
Visual Art 3D Student of the Year – Kai Ghattaura