Bracknell & Wokingham College’s sports hall was transformed into a glamorous venue for yesterday’s tenth annual Achiever Awards, a glittering ceremony dedicated to our students’ achievements.  

The Achiever Awards are given to students because of their outstanding effort and passion for their course. As well as high achieving academic students, the awards also celebrate those who have overcome adversity to excel in their particular course area.

Guests were welcomed to the event on the red carpet by photographers taking ‘paparazzi’ style photos, and were then taken to their tables for drinks and canapés created by our Hospitality students. Guests then enjoyed entertainment from our Performing Arts students before the ceremony got underway.

The 45 lucky award winners and their families and friends were joined by guests from local businesses and the local councils.

Ian Inglis, the owner and representative of Bluebird Care South Bucks and Slough, won the Skills for the Workforce Award for showing commitment to developing their staff. Ian said:

“It’s great recognition for Bluebird Care and the company’s promise it makes to its staff development, attracting the right staff and giving them training to be as good as they can be, so it’s great recognition of the work we do and the work we do with the college.”

Saskia Millward, Health & Social Care student award winner, was pleased to be recognised for her achievements:

“I thought the ceremony was lovely, I walked in and thought ‘wow’, it doesn’t look like our normal college at all with all the lights and decoration, I felt privileged to be here.”

We were extremely proud to have Pete Reed MBE, the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s four, winning gold in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, host our event. Pete said:

“It was an absolute delight to be here, I’ve met so many lovely people that are filled with enthusiasm for tonight’s ceremony.

“It made me feel very humble to present the awards to these great people; I’m just a guy, just a rower and all I do is train every day. Being invited to an event like this and being asked to play such a big part in an event that means so much to so many, is a genuine honour.”

Jon Samson, Students Services Manager at Bracknell & Wokingham College, summarised the event by adding:

“I thought the event was excellent and Pete’s words were inspirational, I’m sure it was something that all the students could relate to in some way and learn from.

“I think events like this are really really important, both for the students and the college, it’s an excellent way of giving the students the recognition for all their hard work and efforts.”