Hugh Baird College Students Honoured at Annual Awards Evening 2026
Hugh Baird College, an Ofsted-rated Outstanding further education college, recently held its annual Student Awards Evening 2026; celebrating the outstanding achievements, dedication and success of students from across all areas of the College.
Award winners, their guests, college governors and staff came together for a special evening of celebration, hosted by guest compere Simon “Rossie” Ross, the popular radio host and broadcaster known to listeners across the North West for his work on Greatest Hits Radio and other stations. The awards recognised students from across the College’s curriculum areas, including Health and Creative Industries, Construction and Trades, Building Services, Engineering and Business, Sefton Sixth Form College, Hugh Baird University Centre, Learning for Life, Foundation Learning, Thornton College, Apprenticeships, Adult Education and more.
The evening also featured a number of special accolades, including the HMRC Excellence in Employability Skills Award, which was presented to Katie Roberts in recognition of her exceptional readiness for the world of work and her commitment to the professional skills she gained throughout her time on the HMRC Scholarship programme.
This year also saw the introduction of a brand-new award, ‘The Governor’s Award for Achievement’, which was presented to Chloe Reynolds. The award recognises an exceptional student who has demonstrated commitment, achievement and a positive contribution to college life.
Addressing the winning students at the event, Kerry Kirkwood, Chair of the Corporation, said:
Your achievements are highly commendable and speak of your own commitment to learning and excellence. I hope you look back at those achievements and your time a Hugh Baird College with pride; you have been a part of the rich history of this very special place.
The Principal’s Award for Excellence 2026 was presented by Rachael Hennigan OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, as the final award of the evening.
The full list of 2026 award winners is as follows:
- Health and Creative Industries Student of the Year 2026 – Rose Bibby
- ESOL Student of the Year 2026 – Selam Menghisteab
- Professional Construction and Trade Award – Alfie Griffiths
- Business Engagement Student of the Year 2026 – Cameron Maddock
- Building Services, Engineering and Business Student of the Year 2026 – Liam Harvey
- The Transitions Hub Student of the Year 2026 – Reuben Canter
- Learning for Life and Foundation Learning Student of the Year 2026 – Gabriel Amara
- Thornton College Student of the Year Award 2026 – Andie Owens
- English and Maths Student of the Year Award 2026 – Mykyta Holovko
- Sefton Sixth Form College Student of the Year Award 2026 – Remi Oyewole
- Higher Skills and Access Student of the Year 2026 – Wade Thomas
- Apprenticeship Student of the Year 2026 – Joe Bulger
- Community and Adult Education Student of the Year 2026 – Stephen Farrow
- HMRC Excellence in Employability Skills Award 2026 – Katie Roberts
- Taylor Prize 2026 – Alannah Beaumont Jones
- Beacon of our Community 2026 – Roman Pasiorowski-Ibanez
- The Governor’s Award for Achievement 2026 – Chloe Reynolds
- Principal’s Award for Excellence 2026 – Joe Bulger
Speaking at the event, Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, Rachael Hennigan OBE, said:
I feel incredibly proud to be Principal of Hugh Baird College, and evenings like this are a powerful reminder of why our college community is so special. The Student Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate not only what our students have achieved, but also the determination, resilience and commitment they have shown along the way.
Each of our winners should be extremely proud of themselves. They have worked hard, overcome challenges and demonstrated the ambition and drive that will help them succeed in their next steps, whether that is progressing to further study, university, an apprenticeship or employment.
It is a privilege to celebrate their success, and I wish them all the very best for the future.
