Outstanding students have received  awards from the College of North West London for ‘going the extra mile’ and achieving their study goals — often in the face of “personal challenges” in their lives.

The 41 winners beat the odds to overcome barriers in their academic, artistic and engineering studies.

“These awards have been achieved by students overcoming personal challenges,” United Colleges group principal Stephen Davis said. “We have many examples of success in academic achievement, vocational excellence and artistic vision.”

Mayor of Brent Tariq Dar was among those presenting the awards at the Willesden college campus in faculties such as A-levels, business, science and higher education, creative industries, digital, lifelong learning, supported learning and teacher training.  

Curriculum awards were made for learners and special categories that included “those who have fought all odds to follow their ambitions” to support themselves and other students.

‘Special’ awards were also given for apprenticeship, supported internship, work experience, student enrichment, student council, sports, student resilience, equality, business enterprise and additional learning support. 

Overall ‘Outstanding Student of the Year’ award went to Cassandra Fernandes which included the Group Principal award.

A Level awards went to: Niah Ashman, Victory Erewele and Saira Shamsher.

Engineering and Built Environment awards: Daniel McCarthy, Dylan Kearney, Freddie Richards and Ephraime Masidi.

Creative and Digital Industries awards: Mark Kiss, Favour Akiyele, Abigail Alves and Amira Kenawy.

English and Maths awards: Melissa Majko, Nicholas Segobias, Henry Hawarth and Cabdullahi Rashid.

Lifelong Learning awards: Gabriela Bonifacio, Ryan Andrade, Zahraa Alali and Khloud Kourabi.

Health Wellbeing awards: Nabila Sharifi, Raisa Da Lima, Fatemeh Ghorbani and Angham Alsaleh.

Supported Learning awards: Aaron Zenebe, Wendy Gjoka, Lewis Chappin and Reanna Walker. 

Special awards went to: Moosa Abuelzein, Aliyah Hussein, Malik Chelhaoui-Demeiller, Gavin Birch, Nicole Scott, Mohamad Hoque, Ahmed Abdinur, Mohamedamin Jibril, Omar Badru, Mohamed Alhamumy, Moosa Abuelzein, Niah Ashman and Dylan Kearney.