FUTURE school leavers were rewarded for their efforts to develop their career opportunities.

The Bright Star Awards Ceremony at Swindon College last week awarded up to 45 Year 11 students from local schools who took part in Swindon College’s Swindon 14-19 Partnership.

The ceremony was designed to celebrate their hard work and achievement.

The 14-19 Partnership programme, which has been running for 10 years, enables Year 10 and 11 students to study work-related subjects at college or with a training company while still at school.

Both Swindon College and New College work with Key Training, NWT, Haddon Training and Swindon Council to deliver the courses.

The partnership provides school students who are looking and considering a vocational career the opportunity to study more work-related subjects.

This could be beauty therapy, hospitality and catering, childcare, motor vehicle or other vocational subjects, for which the college has industry standard facilities.

Many will then progress on to the mainstream courses at the college.

Guests at the celebration evening included the mayor and mayoress of Swindon and guest speaker Stuart Roslyn, who is songwriter adviser for the Fame Academy.

Nicola Gregson, the 14-19 Partnership Co-ordinator, said: “Collaborative partnership provision has enabled students to access a broad range of courses linked to their career and progression aspirations and this event gives us the opportunity to celebrate their achievements.”

Megan Higgs, 15, from The Commonweal School, who recently completed the 14 to 19 Partnership Programme, said: “I love doing my beauty course, it has been a really good experience.

“I have gained so much confidence and I’m really looking forward to going into the Level 2 Beauty course next year.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends and hope to get my own salon in the future.”

Grace Marshall, 15, from St John’s School, Marlborough, said: “I’ve got a lot more confidence now. I’ve also made new friends.

“I’m less worried about next year – I’ve chosen art and design at Swindon College because I enjoyed this during Key Stage 4.”

For more information about the 14 to 19 Partnership Programme contact Rebekah LeMaire or Lynne Ridge at Swindon College on 01793 498322 or 01793 498322 or email rebekahlemaire@swindon-college.ac.uk.