CRAVEN College graduates enjoyed the autumn sunshine as they celebrated their achievements in a ceremony at Skipton Castle and Holy Trinity Church.

More than half of the students completing degrees achieved a 2:1 or a first class honours classification, while more than half of those completing foundation degrees achieved a merit or distinction.

Other students were awarded Level 4 HNC in animal management and AAT qualifications.

Susannah Daley, owner and managing director of PEEL Entertainment Group, Skipton, was the guest of honour at the ceremony. She inspired the students in her speech with a resume of the highs and lows of her career, with the key to success being to build resilience.

Interim Principal, Joanne Sherrington, said in her address: “Your success is our success. Like many further education colleges, we provide higher education courses. We are happy to be able to offer a very vocational approach which helps our students in their chosen career. We are proud of the range of higher education programmes we offer both here and at Leeds Bradford Airport.

“We are proud of the standards of teaching at the college and of the feedback we receive from our university partners and we are especially proud of our students and their achievements.”

Corinne Thornton, Young Children’s Learning & Development BA (Hons) from Skipton, gave the student ‘vote of thanks’ saying: “The past three years of study has been a significant and rewarding challenge. I have learnt a great deal, with the fantastic help of my tutors and fellow students, and without them I would not be here today.

“The degree I have earned has now enabled me to take the next chapter in my career, moving me a step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a teacher.”

Special Award Winners:

• Academic Excellence : Rachel Garrett, Young Children’s Learning & Development BA (Hons)

• The Principal’s Prize (for students studying in exceptional circumstances) - Jennifer Martin, Young Children’s Learning & Development BA (Hons)

• Swissport (Aviation)Award : Lauren Bedford, Air Transport Management BSc (Hons)

• Land-based Industries : Lizzie Collins, Animal Management HNC

• Creative Industries : Sarah Brewer, Fine Art BA (Hons)

Business & Management : Rebecca Sutcliffe, Business Management in the Service Sector BA (Hons)

• Early Years: Jemma Clough, Young Children’s Learning & Development.

Sarah Brewer, from Threshfield, was highly praised by her tutor, who said, “Sarah has a non-academic background, but has great passion for the arts as well as a bag full of resilience. I believe Sarah will be a very good artist and will continue to self-improve in the next few years. She deserves to be rewarded for her hard work’.

New developments for Craven College higher education for the academic year 2019-20 include new HNCs in computing (as part of the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology), graphic design, art practice and photography complementing animal and equine management. The equine provision will be enhanced by the development of new facilities including an international sized arena in conjunction with Craven Cattle Marts.

For more information about any degree courses visit www.craven-college.ac.uk/qualifications/degrees.