The Lincolnshire and Rutland Work Based Learning Awards 2009

Uppingham Community College is awards finalist

Uppingham Community College is one of three schools in the running for The School that has Embraced Work Related Learning Most Effectively Award. The Rutland school is up against The Deepings School, of Deeping St James, and the Robert Pattinson School, of North Hykeham – both in Lincolnshire.

Uppingham Community College (UCC) deputy principal Lynne Wells said: “We are absolutely delighted that all our hard work and commitment have been recognised, particularly since we’ve had past finalists in the regional and national Young Apprentice category.”

UCC principal Jan Turner said: “Our vocational students gain a great deal from their experiences and we have a highly effective infrastructure supporting all students to do their very best on these courses. We also have a lot of in-house work-based learning activity for all students of the college – ensuring their economic wellbeing is developed to prepare them for their future careers. We have built up excellent partnerships within and beyond the county borders and hope to increase this year on year.”

Claire Flavell, from the Lincolnshire and Rutland Education Business Partnership, said: “The dedication and enthusiasm that the UCC staff have for their students is reflected in the extra efforts they go to in order to ensure student success.”

In the Young Apprentice of the Year Award, Leo McCourt, 16, of Cold Overton is in the final three, along with Lincolnshire’s Kevin Gilbert, 15, of Grantham, and Luke Roberts, 15, of Thurlby.

Leo, a student at Catmose College in Oakham, did his Young Apprenticeship at Sharmans Agriculture in Melton Mowbray, learning to service and repair farm machinery such as tractors, combine harvesters and ploughs. Leo went far beyond the requirements of the Young Apprenticeship by working during his school holidays.

“The best part of the job is going out to farms because you never know what you’re going to find when you get there,” said Leo. David Palmer at Sharmans said Leo is so mature and with an excellent attitude to work that “it was sometimes hard to remember that he was only 15”.

Virginia Savage, vice principal at Catmose College, said: “Leo is an excellent all-round student who has shone. Leo is a natural leader exuding quiet authority.” Helen Walton at Rutland County Council said: “Leo is a credit to his school and the Young Apprenticeship programme.”

The prestigious awards scheme, now in its fourth year, culminates at a glittering ceremony on March 25 2010. All the finalists are given free tickets to the evening celebration at The Lawn in Lincoln.

The winners and finalists from Lincolnshire and Rutland may also go on to taste success at the East Midlands Apprenticeship Awards and the National Apprenticeship Awards in the summer.

This year the Lincolnshire & Rutland Work Based Learning Awards are being organised by the Lincolnshire and Rutland Employment and Skills Board (LRESB) in partnership with the National Apprentice Service (NAS) and the learning providers’ body, the Work Based Academy.

Roy Harper, LRESB project manager, said: “We have a cracking collection of finalists, all with great stories to tell of how they have embraced work-based learning. The apprentices and e2e learners have all grasped the opportunity to take a giant leap forward in their lives, to gain valuable qualifications and to prepare for interesting and rewarding careers ahead.

“The employers and the schools have proved how work-based learning enriches those organisations which put in time, commitment and energy. All the finalists deserve congratulations; they have already achieved great things. It’s going to be an exciting evening when we find out who the winners are.”

Geoff Middleton, of the Work Based Academy, who is on the awards’ organising board, said: "The quality of the entries to these awards made it very difficult to pick out the finalists. We’d like to thank everyone who nominated and entered. It’s to the credit of the local people, employers and work-based learning providers who continue to demonstrate the great opportunities that can be created through vocational pathways.”