Warrington & Vale Royal College celebrates its biggest Higher Education Graduation Ceremony in recent years

Warrington & Vale Royal College was proud to host its largest Higher Education Graduation Ceremony in recent years on Thursday evening. The annual celebration brought together students, families, staff, and distinguished guests in the charming surroundings of St Elphin’s Church.

From the first moment graduates began to arrive, the church was filled with pride and anticipation as they prepared to walk the stage and celebrate achievements that represent dedication, resilience, and, for many, proud personal milestones. This year’s event saw record attendance, reflecting the growing strength of higher-level study at the college, and the crucial role adult learning plays in transforming lives.

Guests heard an emotional and inspiring address from guest speaker Danny Sculthorpe, who spoke openly about the abrupt end to his sporting career, the mental health struggles that ensued, and the journey taken to rebuild his wellbeing since. His honest reflections moved the audience and offered a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, community support, and asking for help when needed.

The celebration also featured a series of Special Awards, honouring outstanding students whose commitment and progress have been exemplary. A huge congratulations to the following winners: Victoria Horricks, Professional Student of the Year recipient, Lana Targett, Hilary Tucker Art Excellence Award recipient, Calum Evans, the Craig Atherton Sporting Excellence Award recipient, and Sarah-Louise Howard, the Apprenticeship Excellence Award recipient.

The college would also like to thank Glyn Barnard, Level 5 Education & Training graduate and now an electrical tutor at the college, for delivering a powerfully heartfelt student Vote of Thanks to close the ceremony.

This annual ceremony underscores the importance of lifelong learning and highlights that it is never too late to upskill, retrain, or pursue new opportunities. The achievements recognised throughout the evening demonstrated the real impact that adult education has.