Student Success

Our annual Adult Learners’ Awards celebrates the achievements, skills and talents of Bishop Auckland College's mature students.

HE Award

The Higher Education Award sponsored by the University of Sunderland was presented by Sue Reece, Director of Student Recruitment and Business Partnerships at the University.
Winner Samantha Hemmingway Education & Care Foundation Degree Student

“Already my first year studies have helped me to focus better on outcomes for my work role and develop the practice in my Behaviour Support Unit. It is really useful to have the opportunity to test ideas and have access to different perspectives. I like to think the pupils where I work are benefiting too!”

Andrew Pickard Access to HE Award

A special award, the Access to Higher Education was introduced in memory of a former Access Lecturer and Assistant Principal, Andrew Pickard. Andrew’s daughter and son, Rachel and James Pickard presented this award.
Winner Doreen Robson Access to HE Student

“This course has really changed my life. I have gone from being a fulfilled person as a mother, to being a fulfilled individual for myself as a result of the work I have put into the course. I have achieved much more than I thought was possible. Coming back to education is the best thing I have ever done.”

Graduation Success

Richard Rainbow, 26, from Eggleston studied on the Access to Higher Education course at the College in 2005 and graduated last year with a First Class Honours Degree in Media Production & Professional Practice from the University of Teesside.
Richard did not think about going to university when he left school. At 21 he enrolled on the Access course and hasn’t looked back. Richard is at present studying for his Masters Degree at Teesside and his ambition is to become a film producer.
Richard said,

“Like many young people I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life, I had thought I would like to be a paramedic, so I did Health & Social Care at the College and went to work as a Carer. It was while waiting to hear if I would be accepted for paramedic training that I came back to the College on the Access course. It was while doing the creative writing module that it all clicked for me and from that moment I knew what I wanted to be."