Students have received recognition for their excellent academic progress and positive contribution at their club by making the shortlist for LFE’s Learner of the Term for January to April 2022.
Here are the runners-up for the main prize, who have all been awarded a £40 Amazon voucher:
Matt Maher – Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Matt has just completed his two-years of study at Bristol Rovers Community Trust, achieving a Merit Pass grade profile and is a great example of someone continuing to develop and progress despite challenges.
Sam Rushworth explains a bit about Matt’s journey: “Matt was a learner on our boxing programme in partnership with Empire Fighting Chance, where he trained three times a week as part of his studies. Matt is a very popular person down the gym and trains extra in his spare time. Matt aspires to turn professional and has since had a few amateur fights this season, winning all of them and picking up a national belt along the way.
Matt also took on a part-time coaching role at Empire Fighting Chance within a project that is very close to his heart, working with young people who struggle in mainstream education and using boxing as a vehicle to support their choices and improve their self-confidence.
Alongside all of Matt’s studies and boxing he has also become extremely independent and is now living and supporting himself in his new accommodation. Matt has also applied and been accepted onto our higher education degree in sports coaching in partnership with USW allowing him to simultaneously continue his studies and boxing at Empire for another three years.
Well done, Matt!”
Rowan Bellhouse – Derby County Community Trust
Rowan’s tutor Ian Duckmanton nominated him for the Learner of the Term award, highlighting some of his key developments and achievements: “Rowan has had a very consistent first year on the programme with Derby County Community Trust. He has pushed himself to achieve a Pass profile for the BTEC programme with limited re-submissions required.
Despite having a challenging commute into the College, Rowan’s attendance and punctuality has been very good throughout the year.
His hard work and effort for this year has seen him gain the Functional Skills Level 1 qualification at the first attempt.
Rowan excelled during the delivery of the C1 Coaching Unit with his practical’s being of a very good standard alongside his written work.
Rowan has been supportive to other students throughout the year and has shown a good level of maturity.”
Darren Masaire – Southend United Community and Educational Trust
Darren’s story is another example of continuous improvement, development and achievement.
Darren has been with Southend United Community and Educational Trust for three years, starting on the Level 2 NCFE programme and progressing onto the Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development programme.
His tutor Zac Smith, who nominated him, takes up the story: “When Darren first started with us, he was a shy individual who had a real passion for football and sport but did not have a plan of what he wanted to do with his education or career.
This term, Darren has shown confidence and he is passionate about his future career aspirations in sport. He has produced work to a good standard and his attendance and punctuality are excellent.
Darren has applied himself extremely well, worked independently, completed extra curriculum workshops to support with his assignments and completed additional hours for his work experience within the trust. This has been with little or no support from his tutors.
In his recent assignments, Darren has successfully achieved all the pass criteria / merit criteria and will finish the BTEC Level 3 programme with a respectable MM grade. When Darren started the course back in September 2020, his target grade was PP, so achieving a grade 3 times above target grade, is a real achievement and will prepare him for university.
Darren has shown progress by pushing himself more, not going for the pass grade on assignments and setting high individual standards or targets. His personal development has improved, showing maturity, staying focused in lessons and using his time effectively to get all his work completed on time.
Darren recently came runner up for ‘Student of the Year’ at Southend United Community and Educational Trust Awards Ceremony, which is a fantastic achievement. He was nominated for this award by the tutors and staff at the trust for his attitude to work, his performances at training and on match days plus his overall attendance and punctuality on programme.
It is a pleasure to nominate Darren for the Learner of the Term award and wish him all the best for the future.”
