EASTLEIGH COLLEGE celebrated a successful year at their annual awards ceremony.

College students, staff, governors and representatives from industry gathered together at the Concorde Club in Stoneham Lane, to celebrate the exceptional achievements of students and staff over the last academic year.

A variety of awards were presented throughout the evening which highlighted student achievement.

Curtis Burnet, who won the award for exceptional progression, commented:

"I was really surprised to win, but I am pleased that my hard work has been acknowledged. It has been a fantastic evening where I felt all winners, including myself, were made to feel special.”

Guests at the event watched videos which described the life-changing impact the College has had on each nominee and how the College has given each student the opportunity to achieve more than they thought they could.

Also in attendance were a range of industry representative including: Barratt Homes, University of Southampton, NCFE/CACHE, Knowhow, VTCT, Advanced Engineering and University of Portsmouth.

Staff were also recognised for the teaching, support and guidance provided to students, which has enabled them to achieve their chosen goals.

Matt Stickland, motor vehicle tutor won this year’s Teacher of the Year award and commented on his winning title:

“I’m incredibly honoured to win this award and pleased that the dedication to my students has been recognised.”

VTCT specialist awarding and assessment organisation sponsored the Young Learner of the Year award and Catherine Kidman, Regional Business Development Manager for the Southern region said:

“We have always had a successful and long standing relationship with Eastleigh College and are proud to sponsor this award.

"As an awarding body ourselves, it is amazing to see the passion nominees have for what they do and to learn about how much they have grown and developed.

"Eastleigh College has always been exceptional at nurturing the talent and potential of their learners. On top of that it has been a fantastic evening, which has had a real buzz about it.

"To have so much talent in one room is always exciting.”

The news comes after it was recently announced that the college was set to merge with Southampton city college in March next year.

Leaders from the college say they will create an "education powerhouse" despite the fact the merge could mean job losses in senior management, finance, marketing and HR.

The decision for the merge came after government report of Solent colleges showed that City College needed to join forces with another in order to improve.

Southampton education boss Councillor Darren Paffey said: "I’m delighted that this merger means students across south Hampshire will benefit from even more opportunities to access the combined strengths, expertise and resources of City College and Eastleigh College."