Students have received recognition for their excellent academic progress and positive contribution at their club by making the shortlist for LFE’s Learner of the Term for January to April 2022.
Here are the runners-up for the main prize, who have all been awarded a £40 Amazon voucher:
Matthew Abraham (Accrington Stanley Community Trust)
Sports Tutor Sam Morris, told LFE: “Matthew has shown outstanding dedication to the programme since enrolling in September. Academically, Matthew is improving with each assignment he submits and is showing potential to achieve higher grades, even though he struggled to become accustom to further education work during term one with regards to the structuring of assignments. Whilst he is quite shy, Matthew is a positive member of the class and displays an excellent attitude to learning, staff and his peers.
“On the football pitch, Matthew started with the C team when he first joined the course. He had ability but lacked a bit of confidence and personality on the pitch. He has developed greatly in these areas and this has seen him promoted to the B team as an integral part of the first 11. Matthew didn’t stop there. He continued to develop his on-field attributes and has since been involved with the A team squad, which is testament to his hard work.
“Matthew is also currently on 100% attendance, further proof of his commitment to the course and we strongly believe this commitment has lead Matthew to achieve what he has done on the pitch and in the classroom, along with his improvement in confidence.”
Alfie Harwood (Derby County Community Trust)
Tutor Ian Duckmanton commented: “Alfie has continued to progress throughout this year in both his studies and and football. His grades have been consistent and he has taken on feedback in order to improve as a learner. His confidence has improved in the classroom as well and he is an active participant in discussions.“
Liam Hewitt (Fleetwood Town Community Sports College)
Mason Seddon, BTEC Tutor, said: “Liam Hewitt is on the second year of the course with us here at Fleetwood Town Sports College. During his time here he has worked very hard across all units and achieved Distinctions in all of his assignments as a result of his hard work in lessons and extended lessons.
“In addition to his excellent work produced, Liam has been a regular volunteer with the Community Trust on Football Development sessions and sports camps. He has received outstanding feedback from the coaches and managers for his excellent communication with the children and his empathy and care towards them. Liam has shown the initiative and responsibility to lead parts of the session alone and turns up punctually every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
“As a result of this commitment and dedication he has recently been offered a role as a sports coach at the Community Trust and is now a paid member of staff who has regular hours on the rota. Liam’s determination in all that he does also means that he has passed his driving test and can now attend even more coaching sessions.
“Despite being the end of his two years here and working hours alongside his studies, the standard of Liam’s work is higher than ever before and he is motivated and enthusiastic every day in college, always with a smile on his face.
“Liam is enrolled on the Foundation degree in sports development and coaching here next year, where he will continue to study and work alongside his studies as Sports Coach, this has been his dream career since he joined the college.”
Joe Edwards (Mansfield Town Football in the Community)
Ben Cocker, Education Officer, told LFE: “Joe is such an enthusiastic character and his hard work in the classroom does not go unnoticed. He is well respected by his peers both on and off the pitch. He brings so much positivity to our learning environment & strives to achieve the best grades possible, always seeking ways to improve and develop academically.”
Carlie Bown (Nottingham Forest Community Trust)
Leanne Mcdonagh, Education Tutor, told LFE: “Carlie is an incredible young lady. She is always happy to help me, her fellow classmates and other staff. Her standard of work is incredible, achieving distinctions on all first attempts. She is very thorough and her academic writing style is fantastic.
“She also grabs every opportunity to volunteer within the trust/club whether that be refereeing football festivals or packing food parcels for those in need. Carlie has just begun her journey into becoming a coach, working alongside the RTC, who she was a valuable member of herself. She is always present and punctual. Her attitude in the classroom and attitude to life in general is a pleasure to be around. Carlie does all of this while holding down a job and never misses a Forest match!”
Corey Lawlor (Rochdale AFC Community Sports Trust)
Tutor, Shireen Bisping, told LFE: “Corey is an outstanding learner who deserves credit for his ongoing work ethic and excellent behaviour. Corey works extremely hard in lessons and out of lessons. He submits all of his assignments and time and to a very high standard.
“Corey has suffered a few personal issues this year and has been brave enough to discuss this and seek the help required to help him maintain his excellent grades and attendance. He achieved a USA scholarship and multiple offers to university and has accepted an offer at Derby University to study performance analysis.
“Additionally, even though he has his own struggles he always offers to help and support his peers, and this is what sets him aside, as he has an endearing and selfless attitude.
“Corey also volunteers within the community trust and dedicated over 200 hours coaching with young children and these hours continue to increase. “
Matthew Marr (Southend United Community & Educational Trust)
Andy Edmunds, Head of Education (BTEC), commented: “Matthew has been with Southend United Community and Educational Trust for three years, starting on the Level 2 NCFE programme and progressing onto the Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development programme. When Matthew first started with us, he was a shy individual who had a real passion for football/sport but did not have a plan of what he wanted to do with his education or career.
“This term, Matthew has started the academic year with confidence, enthusiasm and passion. He has produced work to a good standard and his attendance and punctuality are excellent. Matthew has applied himself extremely well, taking notes in class, taking part in group discussions and works independently, with little or no support from his tutors.
“In terms of his personal development, Matthew has shown progression. As previously mentioned, he is more confident, shown maturity and supports other learners, where possible, across the college. He is focused in lessons and uses his time effectively to get all his work completed on time. Matthew has recently supported a member of the ‘walking football programme’ here at the trust which was linked to his assignment D1 Applied Coaching Skills.”
Cian Marris (Sheffield United Community Foundation)
“Cian has highlighted everything what we look for as a student at the foundation,” Sports Education Tutor Liam Tongue told LFE. “Cian is a very well driven, motivated and mature individual who has demonstrated and produced some excellent pieces of work. Cian is a very punctual individual who has taken it upon himself to help others within the classroom. He is very well-mannered student who is a pleasure to have in the classroom.
“Cian has been very impressive balancing both his education and his championship judo competitions. Away from his core studies he is also thriving on our alternative fitness enrichment pathway. Not only is he excelling at his own studies, completing the fitness level 2 qualification in record time, but has resumed the role as a student-mentor, in order to support others through the qualification.
“Overall Cian is an absolute pleasure to teach, he has raised the bar in how you would expect and want a post-16 student to behave.“
