Student at Blackpool and The Fylde College Awarded £5,000 Peter Roberts Bursary
Andrew Sproston, a media student at B&FC, is the first student to receive the Peter Roberts Collab Group Bursary – an award set up by the Collab Group, in partnership with The Skills Network, in memory of Peter Roberts, who sadly passed away in December 2015. Peter was an outstanding former Principal of Stockport College and Leeds City College, and former Chair of the 157 Group (Collab Group).
The bursary enables an outstanding student from a Collab Group college (over 35 colleges in the UK) to progress their education up to university level, or to establish their own small business.
Andrew Sproston was selected as the first recipient of the bursary due to the exceptional work he produced during his Level 3 Triple Diploma in Media Production and Technology at B&FC, which he attained in August 2019 with D*DD.
The £5,000 bursary was presented to Andrew at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 24th September at B&FC’s University Campus.
Andrew has now started his BA (Hons) Filmmaking degree at B&FC’s University Campus. He hopes to use the £5,000 bursary to assist him with the purchase of videography equipment and other materials.
Upon receiving his bursary, Andrew Sproston said: “I would really like to thank the Collab Group for awarding me this bursary. I’m honoured to be the first recipient. For the past three years, it has, at times, been a real struggle, working hard just to afford to live and come to college. Balancing working nights in a challenging environment with coming to college during the day has been tough, but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. However, this money will really help tip the balance in favour of pursuing my ambitions rather than just staying afloat. It will give me the time and resources needed to pursue my passions, both on my Filmmaking degree and in taking up freelance work – both of which will hopefully lead to a fulfilling career. Again, thank you!”
The bursary was presented to Andrew on Tuesday by Shelagh Legrave OBE DL, who is Chair of the Collab Group and Chief Executive at Chichester College Group.
The award was also presented by Peter McCann, Executive Chairman of The Skills Network (TSN). TSN sponsored the bursary to pay homage to Peter Roberts’ extraordinary contribution to the Further Education (FE) sector. Peter was known as an exceptional FE college leader, who was profoundly committed to the success of his students.
Peter McCann, Executive Chairman of The Skills Network, said: “The Skills Network are proud to have worked with the Collab Group in sponsoring this award with three objectives in mind: To celebrate the outstanding work of the GFE sector; to celebrate the memory and legacy of our dear friend and former colleague Peter Roberts; and to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Andrew Sproston, and to assist him on the next stage of his career.”
Shelagh Legrave OBE DL, Chair of the Collab Group and Chief Executive of Chichester College Group, said: “Peter Roberts was an exceptional principal and Chair of the 157 Group from 2012 to 2014. He was passionate about students achieving to their highest potential, and Collab Group are delighted to present this award to its first recipient.”
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