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Student of the Year 2024/25

The AoC Student of the Year awards celebrate truly unique students from AoC member colleges across England who deserve recognition and will go on to inspire others. The awards show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. These awards are an opportunity to highlight outstanding and exceptional individuals and showcase their achievements, talents, and successes. These students have gone above and beyond to give back and positively impact their college and community.

Winners 2024/25

Adult Student of the Year Award, sponsored by Cidori

Winner

Ebony-Mae Palliser, Northampton College

Runners-up

Sue Sandy, London South East Colleges. Watch here.

Nouf Hussein, Nottingham College. Watch here.

Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by AoC

Winner

Meg Ginsberg, Exeter College

Runner up

Shelley Gill, Nelson & Colne College Group. Watch here.

Young Student of the Year Award (16 to 18-years-old) sponsored by Edge

Winner

Brandon Powell, Leicester College

Runner up

Tom Ashforth, Barnsley College. Watch here.

Student Green Commitment Award, sponsored by NOCN Group

Winner

Daniel Smith, NCG – Newcastle College University Centre

Runner up

Sharifah Aljafari, Trafford & Stockport College Group (TSCG). Watch here.

Higher Education Student of the Year Award, sponsored by AoC

Winner

Daniela Clarkson, Brooklands Technical College

Runner up

Angela Newsome, NCG – Newcastle College University Centre. Watch here.

AQA Project Excellence Award

Winner

Emily Rizk, NSCG Newcastle College

Runners up

Shanay Jones, Christ the King Aquinas. Watch here.

Evie Smith, Christ the King St Mary’s. Watch here.

Finalist Colleges 2024/25

Adult Student of the Year Award (19+) award, sponsored by Cidori

Ebony-Mae Palliser, Northampton College

A few years ago, Ebony-Mae Palliser was so shy she performed at her first school talent show from behind a curtain. Her amazing operatic singing talent led to her coming second and this success marked the beginning of a growth in her confidence and the start of a musical career which is benefitting both Northampton College, where she studies Level 2 music performance, and the wider community. Ebony-Mae has organised charity concerts, sung at a variety of events to raise awareness and funds for good causes, entertained residents at care homes and even performed for a host of politicians and celebrities at the 11 Downing Street Christmas Party. She has won several talent shows, including an international competition which saw her beat performers from across Europe, Asia and Africa after she impressed both the judges and online voters. Ebony-Mae has done all this while showing an incredible commitment to her studies which means she is set to secure a distinction in her music performance course this summer. Her success is even more incredible because Ebony-Mae lives with multiple severe health difficulties which often leave her in a lot of pain, feeling very unwell and extremely tired and dizzy.

Sue Sandy, London South East Colleges

Sue’s educational journey highlights her amazing resilience and dedication. At 54, determined to overcome her lack of formal qualifications, Sue pursued an access course with Level 2 English and maths, and is now working towards a BA in social work. Her enthusiasm for learning and hard work has resulted in exceptional marks, and she is on track to graduate with a first-class honours degree. Sue’s path has been challenging. As a child, she experienced frequent upheaval due to family health issues, moving between residential and family care, which disrupted her education. She stopped attending school at 12 and began working in factories at 15. At 21 she found fulfilment in an administrative role at a baby clinic, where her empathy and patience shone. Volunteering at her children's school led to a career as an engagement officer, supporting children and families. However, Sue felt limited by her lack of qualifications. This motivated her to pursue higher education and take control of her life. Sue’s achievements have empowered her and enhanced her social work practice, demonstrating her remarkable commitment and energy in overcoming adversity. She is an amazing student, an inspiration to others and a credit to London South East Colleges.

Nouf Hussein, Nottingham College

Nouf’s personal achievement is truly outstanding, demonstrating exceptional resilience, leadership, and compassion in the face of profound personal tragedy. She has demonstrated extraordinary strength by persevering in her studies while also dedicating herself to helping and supporting others. Arriving in the UK from Sudan with limited English, she overcame barriers to become an outstanding student and pillar of the community at Nottingham College. Despite overwhelming challenges, Nouf has persevered, achieving remarkable academic progress in ESOL and GCSE maths. Her dedication extends beyond her own learning; she volunteers tirelessly, supporting students who have been displaced from their home country and have multiple barriers to participation. Nouf's contributions extend to the wider Nottingham community, where she supports Sudanese families and newly arrived refugees. Her journey from being unable to work upon arrival in the UK showcases the impact of her determination and perseverance; while raising her three daughters, she pursued her education, volunteered, and worked towards becoming a teaching assistant. Her determination inspires others to strive for their goals. Her story embodies the college's mission to unlock potential through learning, proving that with perseverance, anyone can overcome adversity and create positive change.

Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by AoC

Meg Ginsberg, Exeter College

Meg Ginsberg's journey is a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph. Initially aiming for a career in mental health nursing, she faced unexpected challenges. Multiple surgeries later she found herself adapting to a life as a wheelchair user. Undeterred, Meg shifted her focus to project management, where she not only excelled but surpassed all expectations. Completing her apprenticeship nine months ahead of schedule and earning a promotion to assistant project manager, Meg’s achievements so far speak of extraordinary dedication and perseverance. Balancing her career with single motherhood, she has now pursued a project management degree apprenticeship. Meg advocates passionately for apprenticeships, women in engineering and people with disabilities, using her experiences to inspire and support others. Her story embodies unwavering determination and the impact of positive thinking. Meg is warm and passionate and her relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with her commitment to helping others, makes her an exemplary candidate for this award.

Shelley Gill, Nelson & Colne College Group

Shelley Gill is an exceptional apprentice whose contributions have significantly improved the patient experience at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust. Starting her Level 5 apprenticeship as an operations department manager in April 2022, Shelley has applied her understanding of strategic objectives, continuous improvement, financial management, and leadership to drive impactful changes. Rising from an office receptionist to a key player in the management trainee programme, Shelley's dedication has led to substantial contributions, such as developing a new patient booking system that reduces missed appointments and improves service efficiency. Her proactive approach in rolling out new patient record systems and her role as a 'super user' has ensured smooth transitions and enhanced patient care. Shelley's participation in high-level meetings has influenced policies and practices, bringing fresh perspectives and well-researched ideas. Her journey of overcoming academic challenges to achieve distinction-level performance is a testament to her resilience and commitment to excellence. Shelley's story of perseverance and success is an inspiration to all, showcasing the profound impact an apprentice can have on their organisation and community.

Young Student of the Year Award (16 to 18-years-old) sponsored by Edge

Brandon Powell, Leicester College

Despite a difficult upbringing with personal and home challenges, Brandon has come into further education and blossomed into a remarkable young man at Leicester College. Diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, Brandon had the responsibility of caring for his grandmother and brother while navigating a complex home life. Brandon has used these challenges and barriers to fuel his resilience in driving positive change. He transformed his experiences into a drive to help others. As an elected Student Union President, Brandon became a beacon of inclusivity. He championed student needs through initiatives like "Hear My Voice," advocated for accessibility, and even skydived to raise money for a beloved staff member. At just 16, he embodies the college's core values of inclusion, sustainability, equality, and excellence. He actively advocates for students facing difficulties, discrimination, and bullying. Brandon's leadership extends beyond the college. He uses his experience with ADHD to empower others and is sought after as a speaker, even by seasoned professionals. Brandon's story is one of overcoming obstacles and using them to fuel positive change. He is an inspiration to his peers and a credit to Leicester College through the impact that he has already made within his first year.

Tom Ashforth, Barnsley College

Tom Ashforth is remarkable due not only to his ability to overcome significant challenges but do so with aplomb in a host of diverse areas, challenging typical expectations of, and common obstacles faced by, young people living with disabilities. Partially sighted, Tom has taken on roles as an active student representative for his digital T Level course, and Disabilities Officer on the Students’ Union Committee. He balances his college commitments with volunteer work for the Thomas Pocklington Trust, a national charity advocating for equal opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in education and employment and is a member of the GB Development Squad for Paracycling. His story shows the power of having an ambition and the desire and application to work towards it against any odds.

Student Green Commitment Award, sponsored by NOCN Group

Sharifah Aljafari, Trafford & Stockport College Group (TSCG)

The leader of the Green College Assembly, Sharifa Aljafri has led our college community in her drive to highlight the wider green agenda. In so doing, she has developed essential skills that have improved confidence, public speaking, knowledge and understanding and also the practical side of a journey to carbon reduction. She is a huge asset to her college community and has been able to develop into a young person that can confidently connect with college leadership, senior politicians, business leaders and local communities to improve outcomes for our environment and our young people. The future of our localities is at the forefront of her endeavours and she shines as a beacon of hope conveying the individual contributions that can be made by each and every one of us on our journey to having a more sustainable and considered approach to the environmental challenges we all undoubtedly face.

Daniel Smith, NCG – Newcastle College University Centre

Dan has proved to be an asset to Newcastle College. He is an excellent student, committed to his studies and eager to learn and develop his knowledge of the world of energy and green skills. His college tutors have praised him highly throughout his two years on the foundation degree in energy and engineering and are delighted that he is continuing his studies onto a BA energy engineering degree at the Energy Academy. Dan has combined study along with working for Newcastle College as a Green Skills School Engagement Officer. Dan has delivered green skills sessions in primary, middle and secondary schools, and participated in regional conferences representing the Green Growth Skills project. Dan has shown a high degree of maturity and positivity and is very enthusiastic about this topic, developing excellent management skills working with schools and the community to book sessions, and has fully engaged with developing resources in green energy to support the school curriculum. Dan’s contribution to the Green Growth Foresighting project with regional partners and the Northeast Combined Authority has been excellent. Dan is now a STEM ambassador and works closely with regional organisers to ensure that STEM activities are attended and supported.

Higher Education Student of the Year Award, sponsored by AoC

Daniela Clarkson, Brooklands Technical College

Daniela chose to study motorsport engineering at Brooklands when she left school as she saw it as the best route to fulfilling her dream of a career in the industry. In three years, she progressed at the college from Level 3 to achieving a high grade Level 6 bachelor of engineering degree, with Oxford Brookes University. She will be leaving to study a master's at Southampton University as the next stage in her journey. During her time at Brooklands, Daniela has supported and inspired her fellow students both individually, as a coach and mentor, but also as student governor. Despite living with diabetes, she consistently puts others first and looks for ways in which she can help to make the college a better place for all of its learners. This has led to her not only participating in college events and activities but acting as an ambassador for the college at regional skills forums, and local high school events. Daniela is a unique student who will be much missed by the Brooklands College.

Angela Newsome, NCG – Newcastle College University Centre

Angela will graduate from her FdA culinary arts degree this year with a distinction grade. Her five years at Newcastle College/ NCUC, attended on a part-time basis through Level 2 and Level 3 and her FdA, Angela has balanced working, studying and family affairs and has always delivered exceptional work and attitudes. Her mentoring qualities to her peers have been evident throughout and in higher education world she has held fellowship and class representative responsibilities to develop the course and the very first issue of Canny Scran, the department’s first published magazine charting the journey of culinary arts. Angela regularly volunteers for events and functions and was the key presenter when presenting Canny Scran at the HE conference in 2023. She also acts as a student mentor during advice and guidance events and an ambassador for hospitality higher education. Angela was also instrumental in organising enrichment trips to Iceland and Naples for her peers. The hospitality and catering department are immensely proud of Angela for her hard work and dedication and are delighted to nominate her for this award.

AQA Project Excellence Award

Shanay Jones, Christ the King Aquinas

Shanay developed an array of academic skills through completing the EPQ and is incredibly worthy of this award. Inspired by her brother who was diagnosed with autism, she selected a range of relevant research sources to help her craft her arguments and demonstrated a high level of self-reflection during her presentation.

In her other subjects, Shanay is incredibly gifted and achieves results in the top 10% of the cohort. In practical work she is methodical, precise and careful producing excellent data. She is skilled mathematically, is good at interpreting data to produce conclusions.

To prepare for her degree, Shanay has shown her willingness to explore the medical field in a number of settings, has done wider research and deepened her understanding of the profession. She has taken part in the Lewisham Challenge Medicine programme and is part of the Cambridge Higher Aspirations scheme and UCL Target Medicine. Shanay has overcome many challenges in her life and has demonstrated incredible resilience. The combination of her strong academic skills and her personal attributes makes her exceptional.

Evie Smith, Christ the King St Mary’s

Evie currently sits in the top 10% of the cohort and studies history, sociology and criminology. Across the board, she is a mature and diligent student, with a genuine interest in learning and a contagious enthusiasm. Teachers comment on her originality, analytical ability, critical thinking skills, intellectual sharpness and autonomy.

On the Extended Project course, Evie worked conscientiously and impressed with work which demonstrated precision and attention to detail. Her written dissertation, ‘To what extent does being bi-racial create internal conflict in young people’ was extremely well researched and logically structured, evidencing her ability to synthesize source material cogently in order to create a convincing overall argument. Evie displayed a high level of insight and self-awareness when evaluating her project, drawing clear and perceptive conclusions about the process that will assist her in her future studies.

Evie has taken every opportunity to share the EPQ experience with visiting and prospective students and parents at a range of events. Her positively is infectious and she has raised awareness of the value of the project amongst her peers. She has said that the EPQ gave her time management, critical thinking, organisational and analytical skills. Personally, it gave her answers to help explain her authentic experience.

In terms of leadership, Evie has been outstanding. Academically generous, she leads discussions, shares ideas and encourages others to debate in subject lessons and during tutorials. She is always the first to volunteer her time as a senior student ambassador for extracurricular events, such as open days and visitor mornings, progression events for visiting schools and welcome to new students’ events.

Emily Rizk, NSCG Newcastle College

Emily identified a strong interest in environmental issues from the start. Studying A Levels in environmental science, biology, and English literature, the EPQ helped her to explore her academic interests further and supported her application to the University of Edinburgh, where she is now studying ecological and environmental Sciences.

The most important part of Emily’s EPQ planning was when and how she was going to carry out the experiment which would be her artefact. Her research revolved around how to successfully grow mushrooms, which mushrooms she should grow, on what substrate, and how long each growth stage would take. Despite Emily's experiment not in the end delivering the outcomes she had hoped for, this does not distract from a very thoroughly planned and researched project which was brought to a timely conclusion and from which she has learned a very great deal. Her decision making and ability to justify her choices was consistently excellent, as was the creativity that she demonstrated both in relation to her initial exploration of ideas and in dealing with problems and setbacks as they arose. The way she synthesised her research findings into a coherent foundation for the planning and analysis of her experiment was excellent.