Shining Stars of 2025: Grantham College Celebrates Success at Annual Student Awards Ceremony
24 June 2025
Grantham College proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of its students, staff, and employer partner on Thursday 19 June at the 2025 Student Awards Ceremony held at Grantham College.
Welcoming over 200 guests, the event brought together proud award winners, their families and friends, dedicated staff members, employer partners, and college governors to honour a year of hard work.
Principal and Chief Executive Paul Deane opened the evening with a heartfelt reflection on the inspiring journeys behind the successes. Before the awards began, attendees heard inspiring stories from two former students – Paul Emmett, now a successful creative professional, and Tyler Cameron, a Senior Assistant Psychologist and Positive Behaviour Support Coach – both graduates of the College’s Access to Higher Education programme.
More than 80 individual awards were presented throughout the evening, recognising students who had gone above and beyond in subject areas including Health & Social Care, Engineering, Media, Sport, Public Services, Travel & Tourism, and Apprenticeships. Each recipient was commended for their dedication, talent, and personal growth.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Overall Student of the Year Award to Rachel Priest.
Rachel began her journey at Grantham College on a Level 2 course and has progressed to successfully complete her Level 3 T Levels. Once a quiet and reserved student, Rachel has demonstrated exceptional development in both confidence and academic performance. Her determination, proactive attitude, and willingness to seek and apply feedback have led to consistently outstanding results. Rachel’s transformation is a powerful testament to her hard work, resilience, and passion for learning.
The evening also celebrated the dedication and impact of college staff with three Staff of the Year Awards.
Sherry Coldron was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the College environment, helping to create a welcoming and supportive space for all. Joseph Halford received heartfelt praise from students who nominated him for his consistent support and care. Pete Nettleton was honoured for his inspiring teaching, real-world guidance, and unwavering commitment to student success. These awards are a vote of thanks for all their hard work and efforts throughout the academic year
The Employer of the Year Award 2025 was proudly presented to Hope Café, commended for their passion and commitment to supporting apprentices in the local community, particularly those overcoming personal challenges or barriers to employment.
Grantham College extends sincere thanks to the sponsors who made the evening possible, including MKM Building, EXS I.T Services Limited, Grantham Link and Village Link, and our main sponsors Grace & Co Jewellers, Cathodic Protection Co. Ltd, and Pearson.
Congratulations to all our award winners! Whether you’re returning to study, stepping into the world of work, or beginning a new adventure, we are incredibly proud of all you have achieved – and we wish you every success for the future.
To see our full list of courses, visit: https://www.grantham.ac.uk/our-courses/
Our Award Winners
| Grantham College Staff of the Year 2025 | Sherry Coldron |
| Grantham College Staff of the Year 2025 | Joseph Halford |
| Grantham College Staff of the Year 2025 | Pete Nettleton |
| Higher Education Student of the Year 2025 | Natalie Price |
| Higher Education Student of the Year 2025 | Milly Swain |
| Employer of the Year 2025 | Earlesfield Community Church (Hope Cafe) |
| Grantham College Student of the Year 2025 | Rachel Priest |
| Table Tennis – Most Improved Player of the Year 2025 | Harley Guy-Sinclair |
| Table Tennis – Player of the Year 2025 | Isaac Kingham |
| ESOL Student of the Year 2025 | Yevhen Kozub |
| ESOL Student of the Year 2025 | Masoumeh ‘Melis’ Shakoory Lapvandani |
| Automotive Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Macaulay Barber |
| Business Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Georgina Lane |
| Computing Apprentice of the Year 2025 | William Ball |
| Construction Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Joshua Penfold |
| Anglian Water Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Will Johnson |
| National Grid Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Joshua Willson |
| Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Jake Ragsdale Lowe |
| Beauty Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Lauren Hunter |
| Hair Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Kacie Barnett |
| Education Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Meagan Kendrick |
| Hospitality & Catering Apprentice of the Year 2025 | Linzi Prothero |
| Access to Higher Education Student of the Year 2025 | Patrick Rabbitt |
| Access to Higher Education Student of the Year 2025 | Daniel Wayte |
| Access to Higher Education Student of the Year 2025 | Freya Blake |
| Animal Care Student of the Year 2025 | Chloe Oakes |
| Animal Care Student of the Year 2025 | Ruby Miles |
| Art & Design Student of the Year 2025 | Angel Wochniak |
| Art & Design Student of the Year 2025 | Sophie Morris |
| Graphic Design Student of the Year 2025 | Hannah Gonzalez Ruiz |
| Graphic Design Student of the Year 2025 | Luca Counsell |
| Automotive Student of the Year 2025 | Lewis Marratt |
| Automotive Student of the Year 2025 | Gerard Sarkodie |
| Beauty Therapy Student of the Year 2025 | Libby Kennedy |
| Beauty Therapy Student of the Year 2025 | Shelby Ward |
| Business Student of the Year 2025 | Lily Belle Turner |
| Business Student of the Year 2025 | Bhumika Bhandari |
| Catering Student of the Year 2025 | Connor Taylor |
| Catering Student of the Year 2025 | Michael Reed-Ellis |
| Computing Student of the Year 2025 | James Denby |
| Computing Student of the Year 2025 | Oliver Mann |
| Bricklaying Student of the Year 2025 | Tyler Wand |
| Bricklaying Student of the Year 2025 | Reece Stoker |
| Plumbing Student of the Year 2025 | Kayden Marshall |
| Carpentry Student of the Year 2025 | David mason |
| Carpentry Student of the Year 2025 | Cobie Young |
| Carpentry Student of the Year 2025 | Thomas Green |
| Plastering Student of the Year 2025 | Tyler King |
| Plastering Student of the Year 2025 | Anna Maplethorpe |
| Childcare Student of the Year 2025 | Lily Taylor |
| Childcare Student of the Year 2025 | Rachel Priest |
| Engineering Student of the Year 2025 | Jak Smith |
| Engineering Student of the Year 2025 | Varian Maltby |
| Maths Functional Skills Student of the Year 2025 | Connie White |
| English Functional Skills Student of the Year 2025 | Charlie Burrows |
| Future Routes Student of the Year 2025 | Tsang, Wing Nam |
| Future Routes Student of the Year 2025 | Nde Soh, Jaures |
| English GCSE Student of the Year 2025 | Reese Willetts |
| Maths GCSE Student of the Year 2025 | Elizabeth Bond-Covill |
| Hairdressing Student of the Year 2025 | Cara-Jayne Hilliam-Graham |
| Hairdressing Student of the Year 2025 | Madeline Ryan |
| Hairdressing Student of the Year 2025 | Jordon Harker |
| Health & Social Care Student of the Year 2025 | Robyn Walker |
| Health & Social Care Student of the Year 2025 | Jessica Parkhouse |
| Skills for Work Student of the Year 2025 | Bobby Hargreaves |
| Preparing for Adulthood Student of the Year 2025 | Jack Gillan |
| Preparing for Adulthood Student of the Year 2025 | Lucy Godson |
| Life Skills Student of the Year 2025 | Joseph Saunders |
| Supported Internship Student of the Year 2025 | Shannon Scott |
| Media Student of the Year 2025 | Julia Fiander |
| Media Student of the Year 2025 | Joshua Solomon |
| Media Student of the Year 2025 | Archie Hiley |
| Science Student of the Year 2025 | Ahmed Basheer |
| Science Student of the Year 2025 | Ellie Cunnington |
| Sport Student of the Year 2025 | Matas Anulevicius |
| Sport Student of the Year 2025 | Noah Levens |
| Travel & Tourism Student of the Year 2025 | Megan Parsons |
| Travel & Tourism Student of the Year 2025 | Lilliya Greene |
| Travel & Tourism Student of the Year 2025 | Mia Kelly |
| Public Services Student of the Year 2025 | Iulian Obleaga |
| Public Services Student of the Year 2025 | Timothea Haley |
| AAT Accounting Student of the Year 2025 | Joanne Flack |
| Kim Isdale Award 2025 (Learning Development) | Harry Bourne |
| Andrew Wright Teaching & Assessment Award 2025 | Tom Clayton |
| The Katie Sharpe Graphic Design Award 2025 | Charlie Butler |
