Talented former Barrow Sixth Form student Callum Birnie is celebrating after scooping Student of the Year in the Love Barrow Awards.
The teenager, who studied A Levels at the Rating Lane campus, was voted the top student for his academic efforts, as a role model and for helping to inspire others. Fellow student Toby Wilson was runner up.
Callum, who joined sixth form from Dowdales School and studied A Levels in physics, maths, further maths and computer science at the Rating Lane campus, achieving top grades across the board.
During his time at college, he studied an extra-curricular online course in computer engineering with the University of Manchester and completed over 1,000 extra past paper questions in computer science his own time.
He is now studying a degree in computer science at Lancaster University after receiving a £1,250 scholarship from Barrow and District Association of Engineers towards his university education.
Accepting his award in a glittering ceremony at the Forum in Barrow, he said he was delighted to win and praised the brilliance of his friend Toby.
Current sixthformer Spencer McGladdery was runner up in the Carer of the Year category as he balances caring for his parents, who have life-threatening health conditions, with his studies.
Since he was 11 years old, Spencer has cared for them, offering physical help such as lifting heavy items, doing jobs around the house and emotional support.
Furness College’s Director of Curriculum for Student Experience and Academic Progress Helen Gibson said they were all remarkable young people and very worthy recipients.
“Callum and Toby were brilliant students who not only achieved at sixth form but encouraged others to do well. Spencer is an absolute pleasure to have on campus and his positive attitude is an inspiration to us all.”
Meanwhile staff from the college-led South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust were recognised for their talent and achievements taking all three finalist places in the Teacher of the Year category.
Laura Reid, of Ormsgill School, won while Chetwynde headteacher Steve Jefferson and teacher Katy Costa were runners up.
Accepting the award Laura said she was surprised and shocked to win from the nominees.
“It has been brilliant to work alongside such talented colleagues as part of the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust,” she said.
Laura, who is the school’s lead for maths and ICT, was praised by the judges for going above and beyond her own specialist subject of maths to improve literacy levels across her school.
She led a series of virtual author events from internationally-renowned authors including Michael Rosen, Alex T Smith and Lenny Henry. In addition, she has organised the Ormsgill Book Festival where leading authors come to school to deliver workshops to children from across the area.
Steve Jefferson was shortlisted after he took over as headteacher at Chetwynde School on a temporary basis and has ensured it has made rapid progress for the benefit of its pupils. Meanwhile Katy Costa was honoured for her work to introduce sport back to schools through the popular Primary MegaMAT Games, which offers a full calendar of multi-sports competitions including hockey, netball, swimming and a host of other sports.
Student of the Year Callum Birnie is pictured top with Furness College Director Helen Gibson while Spencer McGladdery is below, right, with his runner up prize for Carer of the Year