A talented creative writer has scooped the number one spot in a national awards competition which celebrates outstanding academic achievements.

Massive congratulations to David Phiri who has been crowned the winner of the Keith Fletcher Memorial Access to Higher Education Award, a highly prestigious accolade which celebrates students who have excelled in their academic studies by producing assessed work of consistently outstanding quality whilst on their Access course.

David completed his Access to Higher Education Diploma in 2019 and impressed the college with his exceptional academic achievements during his studies. 25-year-old David achieved one of the highest GCSE English grades at Bury College and completed his diploma with outstanding results. His writing skills shone throughout the course with his exceptional reading and analytical skills and his flair for creative writing.

Bury College are proud to deliver a range of high quality Access programmes which are awarded by awarding body Open Awards. This is the first year both Bury College and the Open Awards have had a winner in the Keith Fletcher Memorial Access to Higher Education Award.

The aspiring writer was delighted to be awarded the accolade for Outstanding Academic Achievement. David said, “I am so happy and very proud to receive this award. Prior to starting my Bury College Access course I had been out of education for some time. Access courses have been designed to support individuals on their journeys back in to education so to receive an award to celebrate my journey is amazing.”

David was nominated for this award by his tutor Shengchi Hsu who felt his reading, critical commentary and literary sophistication were worthy of celebration. Shengchi, who is the Bury College Team Leader for Access and Education, said, “I have been honoured to work with David on our Humanities diploma. This award validates not only his academic achievements, but also his exceptional talent in writing. I look forward to seeing him develop into a writer, enriching the U.K’s literary landscape with his powerful voice.” 

David is now looking forward to receiving the award at a special event which will take place at The Palace of Westminster in London later in the year.

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