USP College celebrated excellent results at the annual Graduation Ceremony.
A total of 58 students graduated from the Foundation Degree in Early Years, BA (Hons) in Education Studies & Early Years, Art & Design HND and Diploma in Education & Training.
The evening at the college’s Seevic Campus in Runnymede Chase, Benfleet, also saw speeches delivered by Dan Pearson, Principal and CEO of USP College, Kate Voss from the University of Hertfordshire plus Lesley Carter, Higher Education Lecturer.
Speeches were also delivered by exceptional students, Michaela Gilmore, who graduated from the Foundation Degree in Early Years, Sally Teatheredge, who completed the BA (Hons) in Education Studies & Early Years and Ross Shepherd who graduated from the Diploma in Education & Training.
Dan Pearson addressed the graduates saying: “Success has many meanings to different people. In my view success is happiness, it is being satisfied with your achievements and it is taking pride in your chosen vocation.
“Congratulations to all our students, and we hope you have a fantastic evening of celebrations.”
Michaela Gilmore said that “I know I can speak on behalf of everyone that the knowledge gained from this course has been amazing, I’ve been able to relate and use it in my practice as I’m sure everyone else has.
“Now we need to be filled with pride whilst wearing these gowns knowing we did it.”
The Early Years degrees are validated in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and are designed to develop an understanding of early years care, learning and development, advancing graduates personally, professionally and academically. It can also be used to enable entry to postgraduate teaching qualifications.
Special academic prizes were awarded to four graduates, Georgia Tilden, who graduated from the Foundation Degree in Early Years, Angela Andrews who graduated from the BA (Hons) in Education Studies & Early Years, Robert Down, who graduated from the Art & Design HND and Jennie Stoddart, who graduated from the Diploma in Education and Training. These awards are to reflect how these students have shown determination, resilience and efficiency throughout their course.
After winning his award Robert said: “I have had a great day, firstly I secured a Marketing Executive position, then I graduated, which was an amazing feeling, then to top it off I won the Academic Prize for Art & Design HND.”
The Art & Design HND allows students to prepare for an exciting future in the Arts industry. Students can then progress onto a full degree at university or progress into the industry in full-time or self-employment.
In addition to the academic prizes a special recognition award was given to Brenan Baker, who graduated from the Diploma in Education and Training. This award was given to acknowledge the hard work and determination of Brenan in order to successfully complete his course.
USP College is the number one college in Essex for student satisfaction for the quality of its Higher Education courses in this year’s National Student Survey.
The College was also awarded the TEF Silver Award this year.