Former Kingston College Access to Higher Education Diploma students have won coveted OCN London Michael Sargent Bursary Awards. Michael Sargent, who worked with OCN London for many years, was a champion of lifelong learning and a great believer in offering opportunities to second-chance learners. The bursaries are awarded in his honour and are presented by Michael’s wife and daughter, which was all the more meaningful as Michael had been the Kingston College moderator.
Outstanding Academic Achievement
Winner: Anna Bryant, Access to HE Diploma – Humanities & Social Science
Sue Brahams, Head of Section – Access at Kingston College, commented: “From the outset, Anna proved to be an exemplary student, assiduous in her preparation and execution of academic work, highly supportive of others and unfailingly modest and unassuming about her undoubtedly outstanding academic ability. In spite of the extra effort Anna had to make to achieve at the highest standards, she was unfalteringly diligent and focused. She achieved all assignments at Distinction, demonstrating an incisive and critical academic approach in all academic subjects through her meticulous planning, research and texturing of consistently pertinent and insightful arguments. The work submitted is entirely representative of Anna’s academic ability and has resulted in her gaining a place at London’s prestigious Queen Mary’s University to study Law and Politics. We think Anna is most deserving of this award in recognition of her ‘outstanding academic achievement’ in circumstances that would have defeated a less courageous and less determined individual.”
Anna commented: “The Access course at Kingston College provided me with an opportunity to step closer to my goal of becoming a lawyer. Thanks to the course and the incredible support I received from my tutor and all of the teaching staff I am now studying Law and Politics at University. I can genuinely say that the course has changed my life for the better and opened so many doors of opportunity for me.”
Outstanding Commitment to Study
Runner Up: Eddie Thorne, Access to HE Diploma – Humanities & Social Science
Sue Brahams commented: “From the very first day of the course, Eddie showed enthusiasm, curiosity and an exemplary work ethic. His determination to succeed was clear from the very beginning; every piece of work was meticulously planned and prepared well in advance. He frequently sought advice and feedback so that his work could be the best that it could be. His intelligence was clear in the perceptive observations and questions he would propose in class, and, despite his debilitating stammer, he was determined to make his voice heard. His bravery and stamina won him the admiration and respect of his classmates and all of his teachers.
“It was with immense pride that we heard that he had been accepted by SOAS to study politics, and Eddie was, naturally, overjoyed. To have transformed himself from a housebound young man into a bold, socially adept, popular and successful university student in the space of a year is an exceptional act of willpower and we believe that he deserves recognition for his remarkable achievements during his time on the course.”
The Access to HE Diploma is a qualification that prepares people without traditional qualifications for study at university. Kingston College offers a wide range of validated Access to HE Diplomas across many subjects.
There are two categories of Award: for Outstanding Academic Achievement, learners need to demonstrate that they have excelled in their academic study by producing work of a consistently outstanding quality; for Outstanding Commitment to Study, they need to show clear evidence of additional effort over and above what would normally be required of a learner, perhaps in the face of difficult or challenging personal circumstances.
OCN London is a national not-for-profit organisation that creates and awards qualifications. OCN London work in partnership with educators, training providers, charities and employers to help transform people’s lives through learning. Their mission is to help create a fairer society where everyone, whatever their educational background, has an opportunity to benefit from learning, realise their potential and fulfil their goals.
Their focus is on providing opportunities for people - many of them ‘second chance’ learners who have missed out on traditional education - to progress and achieve their goals. For more information visit www.ocnlondon.org.uk.
