THE hard work and achievements of students from USP College Palmer's Campus have been celebrated with their annual prizegiving awards.

Unable to host its usual prizegiving ceremony at the Civic Hall in Grays, the College instead recorded congratulatory messages from the Principal & CEO, Dan Pearson, and Brian Little, Chairman of the William Palmer College Educational Trust, for the students and their families to view via the college website, along with a list of all the prize winners.

Mr Little said: "Although we have been unable to celebrate with the students and their families as we would normally do, their achievements will not be diminished by the current circumstances and I wish them good luck and good fortune for the future."

With over 170 prize winners, award categories ranged from outstanding achievement and effort at A-Level or BTEC, to awards for students who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural and social life of the College and shown kindness to others.

The William Palmer College Educational Trust, who donate each year to the students in prize money and bursaries, provide the majority of the prizes. This is a unique benefit that the Palmer's campus and its students are fortunate to benefit from.

"There are also special prizes sponsored by individuals and local businesses with a current or past connection to the college, including Rowland Hall Chartered Accountants, the AOFAC Foundation, Palmers Solicitors and the Hew Watt Family Charitable Fund, to name but a few.

Mr Pearson said: "This has been a year like no other and we are delighted to be able to celebrate the achievements of our students, albeit not in person, who have worked so hard in unbelievably difficult circumstances, and we are extremely proud of them all. I would also like to say thank you to our sponsors who support us so generously every year."

To find out more about the William Palmer College Education Trust and the courses the college offers click here.