There was plenty to celebrate at last night’s FCS Student Awards Evening as students, staff, families and friends came together to recognise a year of hard work and achievements.
Held in front of an audience of around 140 guests, the evening recognised learners from across a range of vocational programmes, with awards presented for outstanding achievement, commitment and progress throughout the academic year.
One student in particular enjoyed a night to remember. Isla, a Level 2 Business student, collected an incredible four awards, including the prestigious title of Overall Student of the Year.
As well as taking home the top award of the evening, Isla was recognised with the Best Progress Award for Level 2 Business, Student of the Year for GCSE Maths and Student of the Year for GCSE English. A remarkable achievement!
The event was attended by members of the College Management Team, including David Williams, Oliver Stokes and Clare Perez, alongside Curriculum Team Leaders Gaynor Corrick and Elaine Lancett, who joined staff in celebrating the achievements of learners across the faculty.
A highlight of the evening was an inspiring talk from former Further Education student and entrepreneur Wes Foster, whose journey from college student to business owner struck a chord with many in the room.
Drawing on his own experiences, Wes spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities that helped shape his career. He encouraged students to seek out mentors, build meaningful connections and remain open to learning from those around them.
One message in particular resonated with the audience: “If you fail, fall forward, not backwards.” His advice reminded students that success is rarely a straight line and that setbacks can often provide the most valuable lessons.
The evening also featured a special full-circle moment as Wes reflected on his time as a student and the role that teaching staff played in his journey. Among them was Vice Principal Oliver Stokes, who taught Wes during his time at college.
Behind the scenes, the college’s catering tutors worked tirelessly to help make the event a success, preparing and serving refreshments despite working in kitchen temperatures that reached 56 degrees!
While the awards recognised academic success and achievement, the evening was equally a celebration of resilience, progress and the determination shown by students throughout the year. The pride felt by families, friends and staff was evident throughout the event as learners took to the stage to receive recognition for their efforts.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. Their achievements reflect the talent, commitment and ambition that continue to thrive across the FCS faculty.
