A 21-year-old from Kenilworth was one of more than 160 graduates from Royal Leamington Spa College and Warwick Trident College to have celebrated their achievements on graduation day in Warwick this week.

Lily-Ann Thompson graduated with BA Business and Management as graduates from Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) attended a trio of ceremonies at St Mary's Church.

WCUC is the Higher Education arm of college group WCG - which includes Royal Leamington Spa College and Warwick Trident College - and graduates from both colleges were celebrated during the first two ceremonies.

The ceremonies were followed by a procession through the heart of Warwick from the historic parish church.

Lily-Ann said: “I’m very happy and excited to have graduated.

“Going to university always scared me, I didn’t like the idea of just being a statistic. Instead, I chose to come to the college where you are known more as a person and can form stronger relationships with your tutors. 

“I’m starting a job now at Arden University, in academic support services and I’m going to be a coordinator. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the degree.

"That’s my first step and foot in the door, hopefully within the next few years I’ll be able to progress and develop further.”

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More than 160 students graduated across three services in Warwick this week (image supplied)

Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, opened the ceremonies with an address and was also on hand to present scrolls signifying the former student's graduation from the college.

She was joined for all three ceremonies by newly-appointed WCG President Louise Bennett, who spoke to graduands about her career and experiences, before joining Angela Joyce to present the scrolls.

Molly Biddle, 23, from Warwick, was a recipient of the Oken Eyffler bursary scheme through the college and graduated from BA Business and Management.

She said: "I'm quite overwhelmed and emotional after the graduation ceremony. When we heard the vote of thanks I choked up actually and I'm just really proud.

"I have moved to London now and work in marketing at a design consultancy called PriestmanGoode. I'm hoping to progress, get into a management role, maybe one day be a director.

"Ultimately, I want to keep progressing and get as a high as possible in my career. I want to try and be one of those people that is mentioned as an example of success at these graduation ceremonies in the future."

Molly Biddle was a recipient of the Oken Eyffler bursary scheme through the college and graduated BA Business and Management (image supplied)

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Two new fellowships were also presented as part of the ceremonies involving Royal Leamington Spa College and Warwick Trident College graduates.

Peter Manford, a governor of the college group for 14 years, and David Darling, CEO of Kwalee and co-founder of Codemasters, were both recognised with fellowships.

In 2021, WCG became the first college in the UK to be granted both Bachelor's degree awarding powers and Foundation degree awarding powers by the Office for Students.