How should we define student success?

By Kim Taylor, Director of Brand, Communications and Partnerships at NCFE

What do we mean by success? Is it a learner completing their qualification and going into employment? Is it a college achieving an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report?

Or could it be a learner simply getting out of bed that morning and making it into the classroom? Someone completing part of a qualification but feeling proud? An educator that ignites a spark of curiosity that kindles into a career? Or the confidence that comes from working alongside your peers?

They’re all examples of success. Each one of us has our own goals, dreams and ambitions, and that’s the same whether you study or work in FE, higher education, or elsewhere.

Celebrating the sector That’s why NCFE’s Aspiration Awards have become such a landmark; they are a reminder that there’s no single definition of success.

Take our 2025 Against All Odds winner, Anya Clair. Having joined the City of Wolverhampton College to study health and social care, her path was interrupted by a severe car accident that resulted in a brain injury.

Despite a grim prognosis, including the prediction that she might never walk again, and facing significant cognitive impairment and blindness in one eye, Anya returned to college a year later with an unwavering determination to complete her qualification.

This remarkable feat was achieved despite severe short-term memory loss, which made lessons incredibly challenging. Anya is now continuing her education, having been inspired by those who looked after her – particularly the nurses in intensive care.

Anya’s story is exceptional, but among the big wins there were huge, small steps; social anxiety in crowded spaces; fear of walking down the corridor due to her visual impairments. Challenges she overcame thanks to college staff and her own determination.

Enabling careers

You don not need to have been through trauma to be courageous. Moving careers later in life poses its own challenges, particularly when you have a family. That is exactly what Apprentice of the Year, Carly Tait, set out to do.

After the birth of her son in 2020, Carly decided on a career change. Although she would enjoyed a decade working in a supermarket, she wanted a role that helped others and offered more family-friendly hours.

Carly enrolled on an apprenticeship and began working as a Customer Insight Apprentice at Broadacres Housing Association in 2023. She embraced opportunities to contribute to her local community, and one standout project was the transformation of a communal garden at Rivendale Extra Care.

Working alongside fellow apprentices, Carly turned an overgrown, underused yard into a vibrant and welcoming space – creating a garden that residents enjoy and take pride in. This initiative showcased Carly’s teamwork and dedication to make a difference, and residents shared how the renovated garden has transformed the atmosphere of the site.

FE heroes

While learner success is what we all strive for, it cannot be achieved without excellence in provision through educators and support staff. This year’s Aspiration Awards saw the introduction of a special category to mark the 80th anniversary of CACHE qualifications.

The CACHE Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact in the field of care and education. This year’s winner, 45-year-old Sara Louise Gilpin, exemplifies this.

After qualifying as a Children’s Nurse in 2003, Sara went on to build a diverse and impactful clinical career. She was also one of the first research nurses for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland.

In 2010, Sara transitioned into education, bringing her clinical expertise into the classroom. Since joining Southern Regional College, she has become a cornerstone of the Faculty of Health and Science.

Sara became the course director for the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership in Health and Social Care in 2017, where she provided exceptional support to her students. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed with many learners crediting their success to her.

She then led the development of a new healthcare practice course in partnership with the Open University – a first for Northern Ireland. This programme opens doors for those who may not have previously considered a healthcare career.

Raising our voice

While I am sure you agree that Sara is a deserving winner, like many of the brilliant people working in FE, she sees her success as intrinsically linked with learners: “The highlight of

teaching these students is sharing with them the pride in their achievements when they graduate from their course, after feeling at the start that it was an impossible task that they would never accomplish.”

I think that sums up why we love our sector, but we must continue shouting about all its successes. Let’s make next year’s Aspiration Awards the biggest yet and continue to share all the successes – no matter how big or small – that inspire us every single day. Read more about all our winners from 2025 by visiting www.ncfe.org.uk/technical-education/aspiration-awards/2025-winners