Paralympic star at college celebration

College students celebrated their end-of-year achievements in style with a London 2012 paralympian as special guest.

Steve Brown, captain of the Great Britain wheelchair rugby team at the 2012 Paralympic games, was a guest speaker at the ceremony at Ashford College.

The sportsman works closely with the Hadlow Group, which runs Ashford College, often mentoring and delivering motivational lectures to students aged 16 through to mature students.

The awards for each faculty for all year groups included outstanding effort and commitment, most improved student, community contribution and best practical student.

Some students are progressing to further education while others will go on to work.

Dave Hammond, assistant director of strategy and development, told students: “Our second presentation day here at Ashford marks a beginning, not an end.

“Your life is ahead of you and we firmly believe that you all have the potential to be the best and excel in whatever your chosen field may be.”

Speeches were also delivered by principal Paul Hannan and chairman of governors Paul Dubrow.

Student governor Ellie Crook said: “I would like to say thank you to all my fellow students who, for me, have made the college a wonderful place to be, and to all the hardworking staff who have made it an excellent place to learn.

“I look forward to the college moving to the new campus in Elwick Road that is being built as we stand here today, and am excited to be part of the cohort of students who will be first to study there. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Construction of the new college site is now well under way. Once created the plan is for the old college site in Jemmett Road to be sold and redeveloped for housing.

Paralympian Steve Brown visited students at Ashford College on their presentation day