We are delighted to announce that a former Bury College Performing Arts student was recently recognised for outstanding commitment to studies at the British Education Awards.

In a prestigious ceremony held at The Hilton Hotel in Manchester on February 9th, Sadie Parker, formerly of Oulder Hill Leadership Academy came home with a Special Achievement Award.

Sadie was delighted with the award, telling us: “It was such a huge shock to win this! I want to say a massive thanks to everyone who has helped me reach this stage in my career, especially the incredible tutors at Bury College who were always so supportive.”

Andy Tomlinson, Head of the School of Performance at Bury College, was full of praise for his former student: "Sadie was a credit to our department and the College as a whole. She took advantage of all the opportunities to her, and I can't wait to see her career success continue."

Mohammad Habeebullah OBE JP, Founder Sponsor of British Education Awards, said: "Being a Bury Resident, in particular, I am very proud of Bury College was able to nominate a student, Sadie Parker, to the British Education Awards event and delighted that she came home with a prize. Well done Sadie!"

Sadie pictured with Professor Penny Macbeth, Director of Glasgow School of Art (left) and Professor Dame Carol Ann Duffy DBE - Former Poet Laureate (right)

Throughout her time at Bury College (between 2021 and 2023) Sadie was celebrated for taking part in several extra-curricular activities including playing the lead role in the end-of-year performance of Sweet Charity.

During her first year with us, she also performed alongside 200 other people from Greater Manchester at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant Parade in London. Click here to read more about this.

Sadie was also part of a Freestyle European Championship-winning team and regularly performs on stage all over the UK.

Having achieved a Distinction on her Performing Arts course, Sadie has since progressed to study for a degree in Musical Theatre at SLP College in Leeds. 

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Sadie pictured with Andy Tomlinson, Head of the School of Performance at Bury College

Have you been inspired by Sadie’s success?

Performing Arts at Bury College will see you develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge as you start moving towards a future career on stage or screen. Find out more and apply for September 2024.

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