Tis The Season To Be Jolly! - And With Good Reason.

As 2022 draws to a close, we look forward to the holidays and adventures ahead in the New Year. This is also the time of year we get to celebrate the success the college and our students have enjoyed over the past 12 months.

CEO reflects on 2022, another exciting year for Loughborough College.

“Our college is often referred to as ‘The Talent Factory’ and with good reason.

“With so many elite sport programmes, we are lucky to celebrate students setting world records, winning gold medals, and representing their country.

“Through the range of vocational courses we offer, we also congratulate students who land jobs or training in health and social care, hair and beauty, construction and engineering, or travel and tourism.

“And for all those students working hard in the classroom, we celebrate excellent attendance, good test scores and a positive attitude to learning.

“Our success isn’t solely measured in the number of trophies won, jobs secured, or exams passed - we celebrate how we achieve these results just as much.

We are a diverse and inclusive college where everyone is treated equally and respectfully. We achieve more by working together and engaging with our peers, colleagues and community.

“Whether you are striving to win on the playing field, in the workplace or exam hall, what really unites us, are our shared values.”

Below is a sample of just a few of our students' many successes in 2022.

After competing in the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists national barbering competition, Level 3 student Max Wilson is now cutting and styling at Number 1 Barbers in East Leake, learning and applying new skills.

Level 2 Beauty Therapy student Katie Lewin secured a job at Ragdale Hall Spa, an awarding winning hospitality and leisure business. Only a few weeks into her course, Ragdale Hall management quickly identified Katie’s outstanding customer service and treatment standards.

Initially enrolled on Level 1 Catering, student Jodie Gutteridge has progressed through Vocational Pathways to a supported internship and work placement. Jodie’s employer, a premium convenience store, recognised her great work ethic and commitment. She is now studying for her GCSE in Maths and English.

Cooperation and collaboration in the classroom are always worth celebrating too.

Demi Onions, a Level 2 Childcare student,  was recognised by her tutors and peers for her helpfulness. “Demi is always willing to help her peers. She had good results in her recent mock exams, and we are delighted with her continued success in maths,” said curriculum manager Sharon Geary.

At this festive time of year, College students Demi-Jai Lee, Lucy Wallis and Charlotte George have been leading the cheer at Conkers Discovery Centre, having landed jobs as Elves in Santa’s Grotto.

All our students know they must demonstrate dedication and commitment to be successful. Issey Russell has a packed schedule juggling her L3 BTEC in Art and Design, elite rugby, a job and such mundane affairs as commuting and learning to drive. Issy trains or plays daily- whether with Loughborough’s centre of excellence, her county, national 7’s team, or club side Kesteven.

“Issey shuttles between Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Loughborough,” said tutor Gary Stefanetti. “She can often be seen with her kit bag over one shoulder and an armful of art and design materials under the other. We are all proud of Issey and her achievements in the field and studio.”

Sports is always an area where we have much to celebrate.

Tyler Forbes, studying on the HND Top-Up in Sport with College partner UK Sport Academy, was part of the Weymouth squad that played in the FA cup against AFC Wimbledon.

Chris Frederick and Jaydon Owusu – both made remarkable strides in the world of sailing. They are amongst the first BAME competitors in the sport and are pushing themselves and boundaries with their achievements.

Lucy Parry, Rebecca Alderton and Scarlett Williams are balancing their blended HNC in Sport and Exercise Science studies with professional careers. Lucy has signed with Liverpool, and Rebecca and Scarlett are playing at Tottenham.

Connor Clifford has started his MSUK course and is progressing well whilst supporting his family and regularly visiting his brother in hospital. Connor has managed to maintain focus and deal with the issues facing his family whilst continuing his education and racing career. We send him and his brother our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Ed Bird qualified for Team GB at the European Cross-Country Championships and was a bronze medalist at this Summer’s European U18 competition.

Sam Mills also won the English national cross-country championships and has qualified to compete in the European Cross-Country Championship.

In Rugby, Lucia Linn and Carmela Morral made their Loughborough Lightning debuts, and former learners Fran Goldthorpe, Hollie Dodd and Keara Bennett represented England at the recent Rugby League World Cup.

Josh Rowledge is a Year 1 student on the MSUK course and recently won the Ginetta Junior championship, marrying his academic studies alongside the demands of competing at the top of his sport.

Teamwork is also something we celebrate.

Excellent work is occurring across Higher Education Sport, Management, and Engineering students. Worthy of particular mention are Rosanna Collis (HE Sport), Dylan Bamford (HE Engineering) and Samuel Wilson (HE Management) working as a team on an idea to develop body protection solutions for female sports participants.

Success in the classroom is always applauded too. Whether that is success in testing, supporting fellow college learners, or applying to some of the nation’s top universities, 2022 saw some notable successes.

A Level Maths and extended diploma student Muhammad Akif Abdulgani has an interview for a prestigious degree apprenticeship at BAE Systems. College student Kaine Watts secured a place on this apprenticeship last year and is talking to second-year learners, including Muhammad, about the experience.

“There are many students across the College whose achievements deserve recognition,” said the Head of Sixth Form, Lucy Howes. “We are proud of everything they have achieved, and these are just some of the successes our learners have achieved in 2022.”

Jess Brooks Atherton, a college Ambassador at Open days, is currently interviewing to study Medicine at Plymouth. She is a peer mentor for year 12 chemistry, biology and maths, helping with the Sixth Form online application event.

Edward Donoghue assisted during Open Days, along with Student Governor Yasmin Al Sakat and Erin Baker, who received an offer from Durham University to study Biological Sciences.

College students also hope to take up places at some of the World’s most prestigious universities next year. We wish every success to Andrada Lupes, Daisy Farmer, Shannon Riley, Emily Hickling, Lorin Darkin-Price, Ellie Humphries, Ben Walker and Naila Nailarani in their Oxbridge interviews.

Maths is a subject more, and more employers require of students. The college organises a Senior Maths Challenge for Year 12 and Year 13 students, and several learners received medals. Students Sam Davies and Charlie Clynick won Gold, and Charlie also participated in the Maths Olympiad. Alan York was the best performer in Year 13 and took a Gold medal, as did Tom Hambleton and Ellie Humphries.

Other students achieved Silver Medals and we congratulate Year 12’s Robin Beresford, Isaac Prices, Charlie Hutchinson, Nidhi Jagdichchandra, Cain Atkinson, Kavi Patel, Ella Wheatley, Cayden Ralton, Alan Jeffcote and Adam Ward and Year 13 Mia Durham.

There are many more success stories every day at Loughborough College. We hope you have a wonderful festive season, enjoy the break, and come back ready to achieve even more next year.