Stafford College celebrates student success with January 'Student of the Month' Awards

Each month Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group hold a ‘Student of the Month’ awards presentation that highlights and recognises the individual effort, progress and dedication of students who go above and beyond throughout the year.

This month saw the January round of nominees collect their awards. The presentations included a number of inspirational stories from staff about their nominees, including: overcoming personal challenges, going above and beyond on their chosen courses, exemplary attendance and hard work. We want to say a massive thank you to Trevor McMillan, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University for joining us and presenting the awards.

Aimee Wilson - Vocational Studies Award

Aimee, a Level 2 Health and Social Care student, has been recognised for her exceptional dedication, resilience and academic excellence. Despite ongoing health challenges, she has maintained an impressive 96% attendance, consistently exceeding expectations in her assignment work and mock exams.

She has successfully transitioned from Foundation to Level 2, demonstrating remarkable emotional maturity and a strong commitment to her studies. Her placement supervisors have praised her work ethic and she has gone above and beyond in completing her placement hours. Aimee’s determination has also led to her successfully passing both GCSE English and Maths over the past two years. Her positive attitude, strong friendships and commitment to personal growth make her an invaluable asset to the classroom.

Sky Salter - Creative Arts Award

Sky, a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles student, has been recognised for her outstanding dedication and talent. With 100% attendance and the highest possible grades across all aspects of her course, she continually pushes the boundaries of design, illustration and styling.

Her complex and innovative designs at the Annual Fashion Show showcased a level of creativity far beyond expectations. This talent has been reflected in her university applications, earning offers from top institutions, including Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion. Despite personal challenges and a long daily commute, Sky’s commitment to her studies never wavered. Her tutors describe her as an absolute pleasure to teach and all eagerly anticipate her final collection on the runway in June.

Darcy-Mae Bird - Maths & English Award

Darcy-Mae has been recognised for her incredible perseverance and determination. Having been home-schooled, she faced the challenge of sitting formal GCSE exams for the first time, battling anxiety and self-doubt in both English Language and Maths.

Her resilience and hard work paid off as she achieved a Grade 4 in Maths and a Grade 5 in English Language in her November resits. In class, she is focused, determined and always striving for improvement. A standout moment was when she invited her fashion lecturers to watch her English presentation, a powerful and emotional milestone in her journey. Her progress has been nothing short of inspirational and the skills she has gained will undoubtedly support her future in the fashion industry.

Max Croston - Professional Studies Award

Max, a dedicated and talented Professional Cooking student, has gone above and beyond in his journey to becoming a Chef. After impressing tutors with his outstanding dishes, he progressed directly to Level 2 and has gained valuable experience through placements at Patties n Ting, Towcester Races and even a three-day placement in Japan.

His international experience helped him secure a Commis Chef position at Weston Hall, where he continues to excel. In addition to his kitchen skills, Max has demonstrated excellent front-of-house service, earning praise from customers and playing a key role in the Riverbank Restaurant’s Highly Commended College Rosette achievement.

Keeley Wright - Professional Studies Award

Keeley, a dedicated Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services student, has been recognised for her exceptional commitment and drive. Striving for DDD*, she consistently pushes herself to achieve the highest standards. Her Citizenship assignment was compared to degree-level work, highlighting her academic excellence.

For professional development, she delivered an inspiring presentation, reflecting on how the Police Cadets helped her grow in confidence and leadership. As Head Cadet, she organises Unit night shifts, demonstrating her ability to lead and support others. Keeley played a pivotal role in the Remembrance Day Service, has completed her work experience hours, and will join the Staffordshire Police Work Experience Insights Programme in June—proof of her commitment to a future policing career.

Chris Nelson - Apprentice of the Month Award

Chris has been recognised for his exceptional professionalism and dedication to his apprenticeship. A valued nominee for last year’s National CPA Apprentice of the Year, he consistently goes above and beyond, impressing both NSCG and MKL Komatsu with his proactive attitude and willingness to learn.

His strong work ethic and teamwork skills make him a standout apprentice with immense potential for future success. His manager, Craig Mooney, praises his motivation and dedication, stating: "No task is ever too much trouble for Chris. His eagerness to learn and assist engineers and customers is evident in everything he does."

Ben Plant - Vocational Studies Award

Ben has been recognised for his dedication to his studies, achieving 100% attendance across his entire course. After being home-schooled, he joined the Foundation Department on an Entry 3 Course, eager to build his qualifications and make new friends.

With a passion for Engineering, Ben’s enthusiasm shines in Maths lessons, where he consistently seeks challenges and scores close to 100% in assessments. He has already met both his autumn and winter targets and is well on track to succeed in GCSE Maths next year. His tutors highlight his determination, positivity and competitive spirit—especially in Blooket competitions, where he’s tough to beat! His hard work, polite nature, and big smile create a positive atmosphere wherever he goes.