‘Exceptional’ learners shine under Student STAR Awards spotlight  

A trainee civil engineer, two aspiring childcare professionals, a volunteer beautician and an apprentice signmaker were just some of the individuals named Walsall College’s STAR students for 2025.

The learners were among 18 finalists attending a special ceremony at the college along with their lecturers, families, friends, and other college staff.

The annual STAR Awards celebrate the academic, professional and personal achievements of students from across the college’s faculties and learning provisions.

Commenting on the ceremony, Principal and Chief Executive, Jatinder Sharma CBE DL said: “Our STAR Awards showcase the many inspiring student success stories that emerge every year at the college.  Stories featuring academic, personal and professional progress and achievements.

“They also showcase how learners have supported fellow students and the wider community, or have thrived in the workplace during placements, real world or other employer-led activities.

“We’re proud to see how they have excelled and are moving forward into higher levels of study or into the workplace.

“Congratulations go to all our award finalists and winners.”

Guest speaker at the STAR Awards Ceremony was alumni, Sharan Kaur Varaitch.  The founder of financial literacy programme Build and Conquer described her own student journey as ‘transformative’, adding that it laid the groundwork for all she has achieved since.

The Student STAR Award winners included:

STEAM Student of the Year – Viktoriia Grachova : T Level in Construction

V6 Student of the Year –   Leah Jay Lloyd and Libbie May Lloyd (joint) : Level 3 Childcare and Education

Apprentice of the Year – Noah Hunt

Adult Learner of the Year – Hemlatabahen Patel

Volunteer of the Year –   Abdul Rashid Asiedu Ibrahim

Achieving Together Student of the Year – Warwick Hewson