NSETC Student Wins at BTEC Awards

A student from the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) has been awarded BTEC Engineering Student of the Year at the 2017 BTEC Awards.

The BTEC Awards are national awards which invite tutors from across the country to nominate their students for a range of subject related awards. All these nominations are then slowly whittled down and the shortlisted finalists are put forwards to a judging panel who pick an overall winner for each category. The award ceremony was held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster on Thursday 6 July 2017.

Jack Healy, who studied the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering in partnership with Weston College, has overcome several barriers in order to successfully complete his course. Jack has dyspraxia and often finds it difficult to comprehend written text on first reading, take accurate notes or remember spoken information. He sometimes misunderstands instructions or ideas hidden within a text and will often misremember verbal directions.

Through the structure of his BTEC course, and the support of the staff and his own sheer determination to succeed, Jack is on course to achieve a minimum of a triple distinction grade, significantly above his target grade.

Jack managed to beat off national competition to win his award, which his tutors nominated him for. Winning this award has been a true testament to his hard work.

The evening turned into a double celebration when Jack was contacted by Rolls Royce during the ceremony and was offered a higher apprenticeship.

Darran George, Principal at NSETC, said: “We are incredibly proud of Jack’s achievement and it is very well deserved.

“By winning this award, Jack has set a fantastic example to current and future students that hard work really pays off, and no matter what barriers you are facing with the right support you can overcome them.”

About NSETC: NSETC is a 14-19 free school inspired by new and innovative learning techniques to help students become skilled and enterprising professionals. Students have personalised learning plans with potential for combination of BTEC and GCSEs in key stage 4, BTEC and A levels for post-16 students. It has a STEM focus a science, technology, engineering and maths education creating critical thinkers, increasing science literacy, and enabling the next generation of innovators.

It is based at the new, multi-million pound, Weston College Academy site at the Junction 21 Enterprise Area in Weston-super-Mare.

NSETC has strong links with employers leading to ‘real’ work exposure through mentorships, industry expert workshops and placement opportunities. It provides an innovative business-like environment a professional approach, run as a business day with industry appropriate dress.

The school provides career support advice, information and guidance for key stage 4 as well as post-16 for HE and jobs. Trips to universities and industry; designed to introduce students to as many careers/ higher education courses as possible with support for university entrance tests for example UKCAT, BMAT, STEP and PAT.

NSETC is part of Inspirational Futures Trust – a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) which is sponsored by the Weston College Group. The Trust celebrates aspirational and inclusive learning at all levels. Through collaboration and partnership the Inspirational Futures Trust academies provide all young people in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset and the wider region with enriching academic and vocational programmes which prepare them for successful careers and healthy, confident and active livelihoods.