A host of outstanding students were celebrated at Coventry Coventry

A host of outstanding further education students were celebrated at a ceremony in Coventry, with one learner vying for a spot at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as another entered his second decade of studying.

Coventry College welcomed staff and students to its February Learner of the Month awards at the end of March, as it looked back on the biggest achievements by students in all subjects – and of all ages.

The awards, which bring together nominated learners and their tutors to share their achievements, included nine winners from a range of disciplines at an event hosted by Patrick Geary, Vice Principal for Curriculum Innovation, Quality and Performance.

Winners included 81-year-old business student Colin Harrison, who recently entered his second decade as a student at the college, and Halli Woodhead, a Criminal Investigation learner whose extra-curricular success may see her swimming for England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as she prepares for national trials.

Halli’s tutors, Kayleigh Vice and Jordan Boulton, said: “Halli is up-to-date with all her work and getting excellent mock grades. She swims almost every day for both county and national swimming teams, and is competing at the Commonwealth Games trials. She never lets this make her fall behind even with the early starts.”

Diana Mortimer, Colin’s tutor, said: “Colin is one of the most dedicated students I have taught. He arrives early for class each week and spends all available time the rest of the week in the library, brushing up on his studies.
“At 81, he is without doubt our oldest and longest serving serial student. His endless energy, kindness and thirst for knowledge are an inspiration to us all.
“He is always an enthusiastic class member, making lessons both interesting and entertaining for the whole class with his wealth of ‘life experience’ and enjoys good relationships with students of all ages.”

Winners also included Painting and Decorating apprentice Arianne Moore; English student Elena Todorova; Sport and Public Services student Imogen Mountjoy; Engineering student Kamil Cope-Brown; Fashion student Alice Mhishi; Health and Social care student Ameerah Hussain; and ESOL student Hermon Seferal .