HEAD OF ACADEMY EDUCATION VANESSA WALKER ON CELEBRATING SUCCESS
There was a lot to celebrate with the scholars of 2015-2017. The idea of an Education Celebration event came from Cathy Watts the boys’ BTEC tutor. We didn’t want the boys to finish their education without congratulating them formally on what they have achieved during their two year scholarship.
Everyone in the education department is immensely proud of this group of scholars. They have far exceeded their target grades and have all taken on the challenge of the extended diploma; 19 units over the two year course. There were days early on when it was tough and they required a lot of motivation; but this is to be expected. It is quite a change for the boys, leaving home, living independently, training full time and a new college environment with a Level 3 BTEC to get to grips with!
In their first year they completed 11 units each, totalling 55 grades, 45 of them being Distinctions, 9 Merits and only 1 Pass. This year in particular they have shown their maturity and determination to complete work to the highest standard, gaining all distinctions and never settling for the easier pass
grade.
These grades have resulted in the best grade profile the club has seen with all of them on track to achieve the highest grade possible of Triple star Distinction (D*D*D*).
Whilst a football contract is always the ultimate goal, these results have allowed three of the scholars to gain a place at their first choice university. We are immensely proud of these results, however we are equally proud of how mature these players are becoming, growing into well-rounded and humble young men with a bright future ahead of them.
Alongside their BTEC, the boys have also completed an NVQ in Excellence in sports performance. The boys have again demonstrated their ability to complete the course and feedback from the external marker has always complemented their level of detail and understanding in their written work, which is a reflection of their football knowledge and what it takes to excel in Football.
The boy’s educational success has been a real team effort, with great leadership from Mark Bonner, support from Darren Bloodworth at League Football Education, a close working relationship with Cambridge Regional College, and ultimately the patience and expertise of Cathy Watts (BTEC Tutor).
Congratulations to Josh Emmins, Harry Lea, Fernando Bell-Toxtle, Matthew Foy and Harry Darling for your diligence, commitment and open-minded attitude. The skills you have acquired and developed will no doubt be transferrable in your future careers. We are delighted to have played a part in that and to see you thrive in our environment to become better players and better people.
Vanessa Walker
Head of Academy Education