A SPECIAL evening of celebration and prize-giving will take place at Exeter College on Wednesday (November 24) to recognise the success of the Reach Academy during its first year.

To be hosted in The Conservatory café and the theatre in the College’s Centre for Creative Industries (CCI), and attended by the Reach Academy’s first intake of students, guests will be greeted from 6pm with live music provided by Eamon Ridgley and Jak Martin, followed by a welcome speech from Assistant Principal Anne Oxborough.

The celebratory programme will include short films featuring Reach Academy students speaking about their experiences at the College, more live music and a reading from the Reach students.

The awards ceremony itself will showcase particular achievements and will give students, staff and parents the chance to acknowledge the support of the Academy’s sponsors, particularly the Met Office and Michelmores LLP. Principal Richard Atkins will close the event.

Speaking beforehand, Reach Academy Co-ordinator Judith Betney says: “A year on, the Academy has gone from strength-to-strength, and is still developing as the students themselves drive forward their own ideas for Reach. It has been amazing and rewarding to see the Reach Academy students develop into confident, enthusiastic and ambitious young adults.

“They are now applying to competitive universities for the next part of their journey and I wish them every success. I would also like to thank them for their contributions to our very first Reach Academy year; I have enjoyed working with them.”

Assistant Principal Anne Oxborough adds: “Our aim is to ensure all students studying at Exeter College reap the full benefits of choosing to study here, and we take great care in ensuring they are given direction when it comes to making course choices which are right for them. In doing so, we also offer encouragement to help push them that little bit further towards making their aspirations a reality.

“During its first year, the Reach Academy has offered invaluable experiences to some of the College’s most gifted and talented students, meaning they are well-equipped with the skills needed to go on to some of the UK’s top universities and succeed at the highest level in their chosen future careers.”