Hugh Baird College – an Ofsted-rated Outstanding further education college – recently held its annual ‘Inspire and Shine’ Student Awards Evening, which celebrated the success of students from across all areas of the College, recognising them for their achievements and dedication during their time inside and outside the College.
Award winners, their guests, college governors and staff were joined by guest compere Simon “Rossie” Ross, popular radio host and broadcaster known to listeners across the North West for his work on Greatest Hits Radio and other stations.
The awards presented to students featured a wide range of Directorate awards and special accolades announced on the evening. Among the highlights was the Principal’s Award for Excellence, presented to Hadia Kohestani, in recognition of outstanding commitment, growth, and contribution to college life.
Another of the evening’s major honours, the Excellence in Employability Skills Award, was presented to Rafi Uddin. This award celebrates a student who has demonstrated exceptional readiness for the world of work and has embraced opportunities to develop professional skills.
The Taylor Prize 2025, acknowledging an inspirational student who has shown exceptional resilience, went to Megan Ryan.
Thornton College student, Kyle Johnson, received the Beacon for our Community Award, reflecting his significant positive impact on others and dedication to community engagement.
The complete list of 2025 award winners is as follows:
- Health, Creative Industries and Protective Services Student of the Year – Lydia Grace
- Construction Trades and the Built Environment Student of the Year – Mohammed Nurein
- Business Engagement Student of the Year – George Baxter
- Building Services, Engineering and Business Student of the Year – Ben Chamberlain
- Learning for Life and Foundation Studies Student of the Year – Sophie Prior
- Thornton College Student of the Year – Callum Cooper
- English and Maths Student of the Year – Paul Lewis
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Student of the Year – Mohamad Alibrahim
- Apprentice of the Year – Summer Callan
- Community and Adult Education Student of the Year – Lewis Edward Jones
- Higher Skills and Access Student of the Year – Friday Obasuyi
- Sefton Sixth Form College Student of the Year – Evan Pritchard
- Pathway to Success Award – Hadia Kohestani
- Excellence in Employability Skills Award – Rafi Uddin
- Beacon for our Community Award – Kyle Johnson
- Taylor Prize – Megan Ryan
- Principal’s Award for Excellence – Hadia Kohestani
Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, Rachael Hennigan, said:
“I feel lucky to be the Principal of Hugh Baird College on most days, but it is on evenings like these that I feel an even greater sense of pride.
It is a privilege to witness not only how our students grow and develop, but also to watch how they do it. They do it with passion, grit, drive, and commitment. Regardless of their barriers or challenges, they don’t allow anything to get in the way of their relentless pursuit to achieve their aspirations.
I wish them the very best for the future, whether going to university, progressing onto an apprenticeship or gaining full employment within their chosen fields.”