On Thursday 12th June, Milton Keynes College Group’s Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Maria Bowness, won a Women Leaders Award in the “Skills, Education and Training” category. The ceremony took place at Hilton DoubleTree at Stadium MK, with over 40 finalists in attendance.

Women Leaders is a registered charity established to recognise outstanding women, promote and strengthen women’s leadership, and support gender equality and diversity. Its awards celebrate women leaders around Milton Keynes, recognising their work in their respective sectors as well as their work on gender advocacy.

With over 30 years of experience in Skills, Education and Training, Maria currently serves as the Group Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy at Milton Keynes College Group.

Her role spans a wide range of responsibilities across the College Group. From ensuring that our curricula are both comprehensive and exciting to being the driving force behind most of our biggest employer partnerships, Maria’s work has been essential in transforming the Group’s goals into actions, partnerships and success stories.

Some examples of her work at Milton Keynes College Group include: the strategic development of the College’s Skills Academy, which has improved student retention and enrolment; the strategic design of our A Level programme, launched in September 2024; maintaining a strong partnership with Silverstone to enable our Catering and Hospitality students to gain valuable on-site work experience; facilitating the ‘Cut It Out’ campaign for Hairdressing and Beauty students in partnership with Thames Valley Police; and securing £105,000 in funding from the British Council’s Turing Scheme, which enabled 36 Beauty and Catering students to travel to Thailand on a learning trip in February 2025.

Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news – this award is a testament to Maria’s vision, dedication and the incredibly positive influence she’s had on our colleagues and students alike. Maria has always gone above and beyond to create meaningful and life-changing learning experiences for our students, whether in the classroom, with our employer partners or beyond.

“I am delighted that she has been recognised as an influential woman leader because this is truly what she is.”

Maria Bowness said: “I am proud and humbled to have won the category for Skills, Education and Training. To be nominated was an honour, to become a finalist was a wonderful surprise, to win was absolutely unbelievable.

“A truly inspirational evening spent with so many amazing Women Leaders, who work tirelessly to make a difference. I am blessed to have worked with amazing Women Leaders who have driven my passion to transform lives through learning.”

To learn more about Women Leaders Awards, read more here.

Milton Keynes College Group names Student of the Year

Graphic Design student, Nashe Mataya, has been named Milton Keynes College Group’s Student of the Year for 2024. 

Nashe won the overall award having won in the Creative & Digital Arts category. The College Group’s Students of the Year Awards recognises learners who have achieved in their studies, with twenty categories covering the College Group’s Further Education provision, adult learning, inclusive learning, ESOL, the South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) in Bletchley and its prison education services.  

“I’m shocked but also blessed to win this award,” Nashe said, at the College’s fabulous awards night held at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.  Sitting with family and friends, he said, “Everyone who came tonight showed me such love and support; the people on my table are the people who got me here and I’m so grateful to them all.” 

Nashe reserved particular praise for his mum, who he said, “is the strongest woman I know and has always pushed me to go as far as I can.” 

The graphic design student was singled out by the judges, not just for his hard work and talent, but also for the maturity he showed when struggling with personal difficulties halfway through his course. 

“Nashe took the brave but really sensible decision to take some time away from his course, only coming back when he felt stronger and more able to cope with the rigours of his studies,” said Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College Group.  “He came back stronger and has produced some wonderful work, as well as helping other students as a surrogate tutor, which shows what a level-headed and kind young man he is.” 

Nashe is preparing to continue his studies with a Graphic Design degree at Northampton University, and while he’s looking forward to the new challenge, he admits he will be sad to leave the College. 

“I’m gutted to be leaving,” he said. “I’ve met so many cool people here and I’ll always remember my time at the College with great fondness.  I want to thank my teachers for everything they’ve done for me.  You get so much support here, and I know I wouldn’t have achieved this without their kindness and help.” 

The student awards event involved learners in every area; Catering and Hospitality learners prepared, cooked and served the food that guests enjoyed, Performing Arts students entertained the guests before and during the awards and Games and Animation student Sienna Rogers was a co-host for the evening. 

Sally added “Our Students of the Year Awards is always a fantastic event, offering us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our learners and the staff who have supported them.  

“A huge congratulations to Nashe as our overall winner as well as all of our student winners, their family and tutors who have supported them in achieving great things.”