Exeter student duo win national education awards
Two Exeter College students have been crowned winners at a coveted national educational awards in London.
Samuel Guy, from Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton, won Outstanding Sport Student of the Year at the National BTEC Awards, and James Steel, from Crediton, won Outstanding Hospitality and Travel and Tourism Student of the Year, at the National BTEC Awards.
The event, which celebrates achievement in the country’s most widely taken vocational qualification, was held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on Thursday 7th July 2016.
The awards recognise the nearly one million students around the country who are studying BTEC qualifications this year. Pearson, who own BTEC, received nearly 1,000 nominations across the 19 award categories for this year’s Awards.
Now in their sixth year, the Awards were hosted by Radio 1 Presenter Gemma Cairney and attendees by the winners, their families and teachers as well as stakeholders from the education and business worlds.
Ahead of the Awards Ceremony, the winners, their family, friends and nominators attended a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.
Pete Chapman, Head of the Faculty of Sport, Leisure and Tourism, said: “BTEC is an outstanding vocational programme preparing all learners for pathways through to either Higher Education or direct to their chosen field of employment. Both Sam and James have each excelled within what are extremely demanding programmes of study and have achieved incredibly high grades through a determined and dedicated approach to their studies.
“Both James and Sam have had their challenges to overcome and have done so with a smile on their face and an excellent sense of humour at all times. They have demonstrated huge courage at times of adversity and as a teaching team we are so proud of their achievements.
“This accolade is so well deserved by both of them. We wish both Sam and James every success in their futures and know that their incredible strength and resilience will help them be a huge success in their careers.”
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson in the UK, said: “BTEC is a high quality and demanding qualification with those in possession increasingly sought after by universities and employers. This year’s judges were impressed by the quality and number of nominations we received but James and Samuel really stood out as a truly exceptional student and deserve a huge congratulations”.
Photo: Award winning Exeter College student duo James Steel (pictured left), from Crediton, Outstanding BTEC Hospitality and Travel and Tourism Student of the Year, and Samuel Guy (pictured right), from Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Outstanding BTEC Sport Student of the Year celebrate winning coveted national education awards.
Winner biography: Samuel Guy, Outstanding BTEC Sport Student of the Year
Sam is an inspirational student, whose positive approach to the course and to college life means he has become a natural role model for his peers. He is on track to receive D*D*D* (Award of Distinction* D*) for his BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and according to his tutors, he is always the first to step up to the challenge and shows fantastic commitment to sport.
Sam has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus but he hasn’t let this dampen his motivation or determination to succeed. He has taken part in all practical activities covered in the course and is currently training and playing for Somerset Disability Cricket Team in addition to playing badminton, 5 a side and table tennis in his free time alongside able-bodied athletes. After completing his BTEC, Sam is taking a year off as he’s undergoing an operation that he hopes will give him more independence but next year, he plans to go back to Exeter College and take a Foundation Degree in Coaching and Fitness, with longer term aspirations for coaching disabled people in cricket.
Winner biography, James Steel, Outstanding BTEC Hospitality and Travel and Tourism Student of the Year
James is extraordinarily dedicated to his studies and taking on extensive extra-curricular activities including standing to be a District Councillor, interning with the Exeter Labour Party’s campaign manager and holding down a part time job.
On track to achieve D*D*D* (Award of Distinction* D*) for his BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism, James is also taking a WJEC Extended Project Level 3 qualification, researching the Greek tourism industry post-banking crisis. He aims to combine his passion for tourism with his interest in politics and aspires one day to work for the EU. Described by his tutors as mature, compassionate and determined to succeed, James holds various roles within the college, including Faculty Student Representative and Communications Officer for the cross-college student representative committee. He is supportive and encouraging of his peers and his enthusiasm and drive inspire the best in everyone. After he completes his BTEC, James is going to the University of Surrey to study Tourism Management.
