Ciara-Leigh Filer-Hobbs has been named as Milton Keynes College Group’s overall Student of the Year at a moving and spectacular awards night at the Silverstone Circuit.  She was chosen from an inspirational group of award winners from every college department who were all honoured at the event.

The event included performances from the College’s Inclusive Learning Choir, other musical performances from students Ella Boateng and Evie Barnes and an aerial hoop performance by Myrren Harrison. Hosts for the evening, CEO and Group Principal Sally Alexander and Chair of Governors were also joined by a student co-host, Riley Barraclough.

Ciara is one of the first students to study for A Levels at the College and is taking Maths, Business and Computer Science, as well as being accepted onto the Scholars’ Programme.  She’s also working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award which will entail a tough, four day expedition and, if successful, a trip to Buckingham Palace.  Ciara has opted to take the Extended Project Qualification; a voluntary piece of extra work for A Level students which will involve writing a 5000 word dissertation on her chosen subject, the effect of abuse in early life.

Ciara has had a very difficult start in life, including struggling at school, but her determination to succeed and positive attitude have allowed her to achieve great things academically, and she has even been accepted onto the Oxford Brookes University Mentoring Scheme.

Ciara says, “I’m so grateful and so shocked to be picked from such an amazing group of individual winners and I’m very proud.  I always had it rough in school and I was expelled at the end of year eight for behaving badly and had to attend an alternative provision leading up to GCSEs.  I was so scared that I would end up doing nothing with my life even though I’ve always loved education.  I was picturing myself in ten years just doing nothing.  I had a difficult home life but meeting my foster parents made all the difference.  With their support I started behaving again. Now I’m at College and I just love learning here.  Everyone is so supportive and I feel like I’m right back where I should be.”

Ciara has had a big impact on College life beyond her studies, grabbing every opportunity that comes her way with both hands.  She has spoken about her experience of A Levels at the College to a full governors’ meeting, and taken on the responsibility of Women’s Officer on the Student Council. 

Milton Keynes College CEO and Principal, Sally Alexander, says, “Ciara absolutely embodies the College ethos of delivering Fairer Futures for All, not just in what she’s achieving for herself but in her highly-developed social conscience and strong desire to support others.  She’s taking some tough courses but still finds the time and motivation to get involved at every opportunity.  We are immensely proud of her.  Students of the Year gives us the opportunity to celebrate excellence with all of our winners, their families and friends, employer partners and the wider community.  As always, thank you to everyone who made the evening so special.”

Ciara is aiming for university when she completes her A Levels, and, as if she didn’t already have enough to do, has applied for a summer internship with the National House Building Council (NHBC) to develop her employability skills.  Her focus is exemplified by the fact that she already knows very specifically what she wants to do for a career and at what company.  Her ambition is to become a Senior Enterprise and Technology Engineer for BP, and who would doubt that she’ll do exactly that?”

2021 sees the second year of a very special partnership with Silverstone, through which MK College Catering & Hospitality students participate in the operational running of a hospitality area at the British Grand Prix. In what has been the biggest Grand Prix ever seen at Silverstone, our students certainly rose to the challenge this year.

2250 covers in 3 days!

Over the course of 3 days, MK College students catered for the British racing drivers club hospitality marquee; one of the most prestigious areas with distinguished guests of motorsport and royalty in attendance, at the biggest grand prix ever. This annual event allows MK College Catering students the chance to gain invaluable industry experience, and in some cases, job opportunities. Head Chef at Silverstone, Dean Hoddle, currently employs 4 past MK College Catering students, and after the event this year, began talks with students about joining the Catering team at Silverstone upon finishing their studies. Talking about the event, Dean said,

To give you some scope of your students’ collective achievements, they not only managed to serve 550 covers in a 3 hour time period, but cooked to order and managed an average time from point of order to delivering the food to the table in under 15 mins. That’s quicker than any restaurant on any high street. We estimate over the 3 days they must have served 2250 covers. I am so proud to be part of this amazing partnership and hope this becomes a legacy of both Silverstone and MK College.

Dean Hoddle, Head Chef, Silverstone

Group Catering Manager at MK College, Richie Carter, joined his students for the event and witnessed first hand how well they rose to the challenge.

“Silverstone and the 2021 British Grand Prix was so exciting. The days were very long and the weather beautiful if you were outside. But for us in the marquees, it was sweltering and hectic. Yet, our students took it all in their stride and performed admirably in both the British Racing Drivers Club Marquee and Farm Hospitality areas. No task was left unfinished, and they were all true ambassadors of MKCollege.

Combining peer groups, they communicated professionally with each other and permanent staff, worked well with each other and not a cross word was spoken. It was extremely busy at times, but we all battled through.

Receiving much acclaim and great feedback from our customers, our students made the teaching staff incredibly proud of their endeavours. Roll on 2022!”

Richie Carter, Group Catering Manager

Our Catering and Hospitality courses provide the perfect blend of expert tutoring and industry experience, equipping students with skills that will take them seamlessly from College to professional kitchens. If you’d like to learn more about the courses available and join our next cohort, it’s not too late! Explore this exciting career path now and make your application.

2021 sees the second year of a very special partnership with Silverstone, through which MK College Catering & Hospitality students participate in the operational running of a hospitality area at the British Grand Prix. In what has been the biggest Grand Prix ever seen at Silverstone, our students certainly rose to the challenge this year.