Local student wins third place in prestigious AoC Student of the Year award

Keiran Beavis is overjoyed this week after seeing his hard work and determination pay off by being awarded third place for the Association of Colleges Student of the Year award 2013.

The 18 year old from Patchway, has turned his life and prospects around by overcoming many barriers to learning with hard work, determination and the help of his teachers at SGS College.

When bad  behaviour  led to suspensions and a  behavioural  action plan, Kieran s future looked in jeopardy.  Unwilling to go to college, follow structure, or rules, it looked as if he had abandoned education. Keeping a watchful eye, Keiran s teachers  realised  he was not a bad person but that he lacked focus, self-esteem and motivation.

Recognising  a passion for performing arts, his teachers offered him an opportunity to undertake a work placement on the condition that he attend college daily. This responsibility changed Keiran s attitude and confidence, and as a result turned his life around.

After excelling on a six-month programme for NEET (not in education, employment, education or training) students, he progressed to supporting a performing arts group with complex physical and academic difficulties, encouraging them to achieve their own targets and dreams.

He has represented SGS College on the international stage, playing host to European visitors as part of a learning exchange and representing the college on various trips. He recently undertook a trip to Sweden with other students, overcoming his fear of flying for the first time.

Kieran has now progressed onto a Foundation programme and is an excellent example of what a student on a part-time NEET programme can achieve. He is already meeting other Foundation students and, at the request of staff, has been using his experience to support others, discussing his experiences and challenges.

Kieran said: “I m so pleased to have got this award. I got really bad grades at school because I didn t think it was cool to learn. But working with the disabled performing arts group has been amazing. It s really made me think about becoming a performing arts teacher. ”

Liz Beavis, Keiran s Mother, commented: “I am so proud of Keiran. He has turned himself around. Had it not been for the teachers at SGS College helping him it would more than likely be a very different story now. ”

Michele Sutton, President of AoC and chair of the judging panel, said: “This year s nominations for the Association of Colleges Student of the Year Awards were of an exceptionally high standard and it is both humbling and heart-warming to see the impact that further education has on the lives of so many of its students.

“All three winners here have overcome major personal difficulties to achieve outstanding things. They are all excellent examples of the fantastic work that further education can do, supporting students who are talented academically or vocationally, or who just need a bit of extra help to achieve their aims.

“It was a tough choice because we had a number of excellent applications but I heartily congratulate all three winners. ”

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