Stockport Council celebrated the achievements of its young people at the Stockport Young Stars Awards last week (8 December).

Over 300 people attended the three-hour event at Stockport Town Hall which recognised young people who have undertaken education and training with positive experiences.

Organised by the Council’s 14 – 19 Services, it also recognises local employers who are actively involved with the ’14-19 agenda’ by providing education and training opportunities including Apprenticeships, work experience, mock interviews and school events.

Entertainment was provided by pupils from Stockport School and Aquinas College whilst a raffle drawn on the night raised just over £545 for the Mayor of Stockport’s charities, Samaritans of Stockport and St Ann’s Hospice.

Awards to young people were presented by:

• Sherann Hillman, Parents in Partnership Stockport
• Joanne Lowe, Headteacher at The Kingsway School
• Christian Mancier, Gorvins Solicitors
• John Myers, Skills Funding Agency
• Rachel Owen, Dodd Group
• Danny Pearson, Principal of Aquinas College
• Jean Rogers, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
• Jenny Singleton, Principal of The Cheadle & Marple College Network

The winners were:

• Apprentice of the Year – Alyssa Rowbotham, The Cheadle & Marple College Network
• Contribution to the Community – Iola Mallory, Aquinas College
• Further Education Learner of the Year – Alexander Sugden, Cheadle Hulme High School
• Key Stage 4 Learner of the Year – Joseph Cunningham, Bramhall High School and Lyndon Sutton, Windlehurst School
• Outstanding Achievement – Matthew Allen, St James’ Catholic High School
• Overcoming Adversity Pre 16 – Charlotte Jennings, The Kingsway School
• Overcoming Adversity Post 16 – Philip Cullen, Stockport Academy
• Special Educational Needs Learner of the Year – Claudia Chan, Hazel Grove High School

Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Education, presented the following employers with the ‘Working with Young People’ Award.

Platinum Award

• Capita Travel and Events
• Dodd Group
• Gorvins Solicitors
• MAN Diesel & Turbo UK Ltd.
• pladis Global
• Sportsweeks
• Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Gold Award
• Happy day Nursery
• Life Leisure
• SAS Daniels LLP

Silver Award

• Balfour Beatty
• Ceracyloan
• Harding Building Services Ltd.
• Midshire
• Wates

Bronze Award

• G B Linker

Cllr Fitzpatrick, who was honoured to be a part of the celebrations, said: “It was inspirational to see the amount of young stars we have in Stockport that have been so successful, they should all be proud of their achievements.

“I would also like to thank our Stockport employers for providing support in the education and training of young people by helping to prepare them for the world of work and their place in our community.”