Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize Celebrates Outstanding Access to HE Students 2023-24
Four exceptional Access to Higher Education (HE) students have been recognised for their dedication and achievements at the prestigious Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize awards, held at the House of Commons.
Presented by Kevern Kerswell, Group CEO of AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, the awards celebrate the perseverance, commitment, and academic excellence of Access to HE students across England and Wales. The awards are managed by the nine Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) and continue to highlight the transformative power of adult learning.
“The Keith Fletcher Awards are in many ways the pinnacle of the year when it comes to celebrating the impact of Access to Higher Education. Each of the students recognised through the awards represents thousands of learners who are all winners as they complete their Diplomas, demonstrate outstanding commitment to study, and achieve academic progression.
“This is a unique event supported by all nine AVAs, who enable colleges and providers to deliver this life-changing curriculum. The Keith Fletcher Awards shine a light on inspirational learners, but I would also like to take this opportunity to thank every AVA, college, provider, and teaching and learning teams across England and Wales who make it all possible. My sincere congratulations to everyone who has been recognised here today” — Kevern Kerswell, Group CEO, AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.
Outstanding Academic Achievement Winners
Winner: Elizabeth Histed
“Being awarded the Keith Fletcher Award has shown me all that is possible to achieve, even when coming from a background with little education since I was a young teenager. This award will allow me to purchase textbooks and books for my studies as I love being able to annotate these whilst reading to consolidate my thoughts and knowledge. Furthermore, it allows me to access further opportunities such as partly funding a summer school trip in the history of the English Language to Prague, if the English Faculty are unable to help fund it. This was recommended to me by one of my tutors who will be teaching there” — Elizabeth Histed.
Highly Commended: Paolo Cruz
“From a college point of view, we are always incredibly proud that one of our students has been chosen for such a prestigious award. Paolo was an incredibly hard-working and committed student who achieved a Distinction profile throughout his assignments. His attendance and punctuality were exceptional, and he was also a peer that others could turn to for encouragement and support. We wish him every success in the future” — Catriona Lansdell, Head of Section – Early Years, Health & Wellbeing, South Thames Colleges Group.
Criteria for nomination: Students proposed in this category should have excelled in their academic study by producing assessed work of a consistently outstanding quality whilst on their Access to HE courses. They should have shown evidence of some or all the following:
- Outstanding commitment to their Access to HE studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances
- Having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning
- Individual achievement beyond standard expectations
- Clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond that which would normally be required of a student.
Outstanding Commitment to Study Winners
Winner: Sheree O’Neil
“Winning the Keith Fletcher Access to HE award is an incredible honour, and it means so much to have my hard work recognised. It’s given me a huge confidence boost as I continue my journey to becoming a nurse, inspiring me to keep pushing forward and make a real difference in people’s lives” — Sheree O’Neil.
“We at USP College are immensely proud of all of our learners’ achievements, particularly Sheree, the winner of the Keith Fletcher Award. She is a shining example of many Access to HE learners who show courage, commitment, and dedication to their studies, often in difficult circumstances. As a careers-focused college, we work tirelessly to support our learners in their journey to future degree courses and graduate careers. We, and they, truly make a difference – to themselves, to their families, to their local communities, and to wider society. We appreciate this opportunity to publicly recognise the resilience and achievements of one of our amazing learners” — Tracey Page, Curriculum Manager Access to HE & Teacher of Law & Social Sciences, USP College Highly Commended.
Highly Commended: Melika Ronnie
“Receiving this award means a lot to me as I have faced many challenges throughout my student life, trying to fit into the typical education system. I’ve often felt that I wasn’t able to ‘reach my full potential,’ as many teachers had told me when I was younger. This recognition, particularly given the recent difficulties I’ve faced, has provided the validation I needed and shown me how resilient and committed I truly am. This will undoubtedly support me in my midwifery degree as I continue to strive to do and be better” — Melika Ronnie.
Criteria for nomination: Students in this category should have shown evidence of some or all the following:
- Outstanding commitment to their Access to HE studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances
- Having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning
- Individual achievement beyond standard expectations
- Clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond that which would normally be required of a student.
About the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize
Now in its 14th year, the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize honours the achievements of Access to HE students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and commitment to their studies. Named in memory of Keith Fletcher, a passionate advocate for adult learning, the prize continues to celebrate learners who have overcome significant challenges to succeed.
The Access to HE Diploma is a qualification designed to prepare students for university study by providing relevant subject knowledge and developing academic skills. In 2022-23, almost 40,000 students were registered to study an Access to HE Diploma [source], demonstrating the vital role it plays in enabling learners to progress into higher education.
The judging panel for this year’s awards included representatives from the AVAs across England and Wales:
- Darren Howells, Agored Cymru
- Teresa Flowers, AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group
- Alice Reece, Ascentis Awarding Organisation
- Dr John McCann, CAVA
- Yvonne Savage, Gateway Qualifications
- Sally Kent, Laser Learning Awards
- Julie Farmer, OCN London
- Claire Blanchard, Open Awards
Supporting AVAs
The Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize is supported by all nine Access Validating Agencies, which are responsible for developing, approving, and monitoring Access to HE courses across England and Wales. The AVAs ensure the quality and integrity of Access to HE Diplomas, working closely with providers to support students in achieving their educational goals.
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