READING Borough Council’s adult and community learning service, New Directions College, has celebrated the achievements of students, staff, support partners, and volunteers at its annual ceremony.
The Adult Learning Awards saw attendees commended for overcoming adversity, demonstrating professional skills in teaching, and showing independence in learning across 12 categories.
Nominations were put forward by students and staff, with the finalists selected by a judging panel within New Directions College (NDC) to collect their awards at the ceremony on Wednesday, September 20.
The ceremony was attended and opened by Cllr Tony Page, the mayor of Reading, along with the assistant director of culture at Reading Borough Council, Donna Pentelow.
New Directions College is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and is hosting an anniversary exhibition at Reading Museum on Tuesday, November 14, showcasing the history of adult education and the services it currently provides in Reading.
Andrea Wood, College Principal and Adult Learning and Skills Manager for Reading Council, said: “The Awards Ceremony is a truly wonderful event that celebrates the impact of adult learning within our community.
“It also celebrates the dedication and commitment to lifelong learning from our staff, partners and volunteers,”
Chloe Luckhoo, Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Apprenticeship, won in the Outstanding Team Player category.
She said: “It was a great evening and to be invited and nominated for an award was a fantastic surprise.
“To see all the nominees together and hear about what everyone had achieved was an amazing experience, if you have the chance to attend in the future I would highly recommend it– before and during the evening the organisation was seamless’
Emma Irelan Hill, studying English Functional Skills, won in the Demonstrating independence in learning category.
She said: “I started at New Directions in 2018 to study my English and Maths again, to hopefully get a qualification.
“Turns out I passed my entry level in English, my level 1 in English and I am currently trying to pass my level 2 in English.
“I have worked so hard to try and pass my Maths exams too– I have achieved all 6 units you need, I have got entry level 3 in IT and hopefully, someday, I will start doing my IT again.”
She explained: “I am currently doing a volunteer course working with adults with English which I am enjoying.”
“Which brings me too how much getting the award meant to me– It meant everything! I was so excited to receive such a beautiful award it will aways bring me joy every time I look at it and it also gives me strength to just keep on going.”
Natasha Hampton, studying maths skills, also won in the demonstrating independence in learning category.
She said “I struggled with learning when I was going through school and no one believed in me, which made me have low confidence in learning, but being at New Directions has helped me so much.
“I have gained more confidence in learning, so winning the award meant a lot to me and I thank my teachers Sue and Caroline so much, and also Helen for supporting me on the day of my exams.”
Cllr Ruth McEwan, lead councillor for education and public health, said: “New Directions College has been providing adult education in Reading for over 65 years supports individuals with getting work, self-development, better mental health, happiness, and participation in the wider community’s life.”
“Adult education has often taken the form of evening classes for older people but, in the most recent years, a huge value has been given to learning at all stages of life, including for those in their twenties and thirties.”
She continued: “The positive impact of lifelong learning and its transformative effects include developing critical and reflective skills, fostering a better understanding of our place in the world and our relationship to others, and developing a more secure and fulfilled sense of wellbeing.”
