A HEREFORD college is celebrating winning two accolades at a national awards ceremony.

Hereford Sixth Form College, in Folly Lane, has been awarded the ‘Aspire School of the Year’ award at the Student Social Mobility Awards.

The Student Social Mobility Awards are a celebration of outstanding achievement and providing role models to those from lower socio-economic groups.

The awards were announced during a ceremony held at the House of Lords in London on Thursday July 21.

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The ‘Aspire School of the Year’ award recognises "a secondary school or college that has made outstanding efforts to boost the career aspirations of students."

Bethan Talbot, a second-year student at the college, also won the ‘Aspire Rising Star’ award, which recognises outstanding academic success.

Bethan is predicted four A star grades in her A-Levels and has been offered a place at the University of Oxford to study Classical Civilisations.

Executive principal Peter Cooper said: "This is a real tribute to the work done by our fantastic staff and in particular Vicky Orsmond and her team at the Reach programme.

"It's a unique innovation which clearly really has an impact.

"Special congratulations to Beth who has been a real star.”

Vicky Orsmond, senior progression lead at the college said:

"I am utterly delighted and so proud of our amazing college.

"Our students are world class, often with far fewer opportunities than some in huge cities.

"This gives us the springboard to continue to push for rural deprivation to be recognised on a national scale: in jobs, apprenticeships and university places.

"Reach is all about giving students the opportunity to see beyond their immediate sphere, to push themselves to be their best, and Bethan is the embodiment of that. I am so proud."

Miss Talbot, a former pupil at Ysgol Gwernyfed, near Brecon, said: "The support from the College encouraged me to pursue my ambition.

"The financial and wellbeing aid offered alongside the compassion of my course tutors enabled me to find a balance between home life and studies that otherwise may have undermined my potential.

"I'm so pleased that Hereford Sixth Form College was recognised at this year's awards and I'm grateful to have shared in this experience."