Craven College Celebrates Degree Students’ Success

On Friday 19 September, our class of 2025 joined with family, friends and invited guests to celebrate their achievements at our 2025 Graduation Ceremony, once again held at the beautiful dual venues of Skipton Town Hall and Holy Trinity Church.

This year’s ceremony saw more than 50 Higher Education students graduating in Access to HE, Accounting, Animal & Equine, Aviation, Performing Arts, Education & Training, and Young Children’s Learning & Development and being recognised for their hard work and determination throughout their studies.

Family members and honoured guests joined students for a drinks reception at the Town Hall before the ceremony.

Anita Lall, Principal CEO of Craven College addressed the graduates, “At Craven College, we believe that education is more than just knowledge gained in the classroom or workshop. It is about discovering who you are, what you are capable of, and how you can contribute to the world around you. Graduands, you have shown creativity, teamwork, determination, and leadership. These qualities will carry you far.

I challenge you to carry three things with you: the confidence that you are capable of more than you think, the courage to keep learning and adapting, and the compassion to use your success to help others

So, as you step forward, be bold. Dream big. Take risks. Use your knowledge and your talents to shape a future that excites you and inspires others.”

This year’s guest speaker for the ceremony was April-Joy Serrant, Co-Founder of The Workplace Collective. April-Joy spent eight years working in custody with young offending women, before running a global health and wellness business for five years before managing the Mental Health Crisis Space for Mind in Bradford.

She now coaches across the UK, and trains leadership teams in sectors including utilities, construction, education, law and retail.

April-Joy spoke during the ceremony “Life presented you with an opportunity to study and you pulled up your chair to the table of your own life. Bravely, courageously, intentionally.

And here’s the exciting part – there are many more courses for you at the table of your life.

There will be times that what lands on the table of your life is beautiful, fun, magical even – moments filled with joy, hope and love.

Lean into these deeply. Don’t miss them being distracted. In an age of great distraction- learn to master the art of being present. For if you are present to drink in the beauty of these moments, they will fuel you for a lifetime.”

As well as receiving their degrees and awards validated by The University of Hull, AAT, Pearson, NCFE and CAVA, a number of students were rewarded with special awards. These prizes, a number kindly provided by Skipton Mechanics Institute, are awarded for academic excellence, exceptional determination, working towards a high standard and displaying professional skills required for employment. These students
were: –

Award for Academic Excellence (Apprenticeships) –for high achieving students – Benjamin Forrester and Zoe Melsome-Smith

The Principal’s Prize – For students studying in exceptional circumstances – Shauna Edmondson

The Dissertation Prize – For completing an outstanding Dissertation that demonstrates innovation and an interesting approach – Hannah Puente, Emily Allen and Raiyen Moore

Jet2 Award for Employability Skills – For an Aviation student who is most likely to succeed in the industry – Rafeh Amin

Craven College HE Award for Performing Arts – For students who are the most likely to succeed in industry – Jessica Fullerton

Craven College HE Award for Land-based Industries – For students who are the most likely to succeed in industry – Daisy Lucas

Craven College HE Award for Caring Professions and Education & Training – For students who are the most likely to succeed in industry – Heather Marsden

Alix Coughlin Award for Caring Professions – for a high achieving student on the Young Children’s Learning and Development Degree and commemorates Alix a much-loved tutor – Holly Carpenter

Craven College HE Award for Apprenticeships – For students most likely to succeed in industry – Ryan Fountain

Hannah Puente, recipient of The Dissertation Prize, gave the Student Vote of Thanks, “Today is a day of celebration – of achievement, perseverance, and growth. But before I continue, I’d like to take a moment to look back and remember someone incredibly special who isn’t here with us today.

“Our cohort has the privilege – and the honour – of being the final group taught by our late tutor Alix Coughlin. She was not only an expert in early years education, but a passionate and gifted lecturer whose love for language development was infectious. Her knowledge, her care, and her ability to see potential in every one of us shaped our learning far beyond the classroom.

To my fellow students – you’ve inspired me. I’m incredibly proud of the resilience, strength, and determination each of you has shown. We didn’t just complete a degree; we became the professionals we once only hoped to be.”