Students win Access to Higher Education prizes at prestigious awards ceremony
Students from specialist training provider AIM Group have won four Access to Higher Education (HE) accolades at the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize Awards, held at The Houses of Parliament.
Catherine Hennessy won the award for outstanding academic achievement while Jake Anderton was highly commended in the category.
Another AIM learner won the prize for Outstanding Commitment to study while Amy Bartlett received a high commendation under the same category.
According to the judging criteria, Catherine has shown outstanding commitment for HE studies and has achieved a standard beyond expectations.
Catherine said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have received the Keith Fletcher Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Returning to education as an adult has been hugely rewarding yet challenging, so it means a great deal to have my hard work recognised in this way and feels especially encouraging.
“I am now pursuing a long-held ambition to study for a Master’s Degree in the History of Art, something I never imagined would be possible just a few years ago.
“My Access to Higher Education Diploma with City Lit gave me the skills, confidence and encouragement to continue with academic study, and to receive this Award is testament to how transformative that experience has been.”
Amy Bartlett, who was highly commended in the outstanding commitment to study category, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as a recipient of the Keith Fletcher Memorial Award, particularly given the challenges I have faced in having to return to full-time education following my cancer diagnosis at a young age.
“The Access to Higher Education Course helped me regain my confidence and overcome my anxiety in returning to an educational environment, and engaging with people my own age again.
“Despite my reduced energy levels and mobility challenges, I still got involved with all aspects of the Course, and I was so pleased to graduate with Distinctions.
“The Access to Higher Education Course was the perfect springboard for me to build the confidence I needed to then go on to study Zoology at University.
The ceremony was led by Kevern Kerswell, group CEO of AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, as well as nine Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) who support this event every year.
The Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize is supported by all nine AVAs which are responsible for developing, approving, and monitoring Access to Higher Education Courses across England and Wales.
The AVAs ensure the quality and integrity of Access to Higher Education Diplomas, working closely with providers to support students in achieving their educational goals.
Pictured from left to right: Access to HE diploma officer Anne-Marie Karadia and Catherine Hennessy.
