Computing student Georgie nominated for ‘T Level Student of the Year’

An EKC Ashford College T Level student has been nominated for a prestigious award, recognising her outstanding achievements and dedication in the world of Computing. 

Georgie Wagstaff, who is in her final year of the Digital Production, Design and Development T Level, has been nominated for the BCS’ T Level Student of the Year award. This award, one of several offered by the BCS, Chartered Institute for IT, celebrates hard work, success, and exceptional contributions among students on their T Level course. Georgie was one of the first T Level students at EKC Ashford College and she has excelled through the two-year course and is now set to begin a Degree Apprenticeship in Data Analytics at Dunelm. 

Georgie was nominated for the award by her tutor Jennie Whittaker, Deputy Head of Creative, Digital and Innovation. Asked why she picked Georgie for this award, Jennie said: “When Georgie first started, she hated programming. For her to be at a point now where she creates web applications for businesses and is going onto a degree apprenticeship is amazing. She has made so much progress over the two years of the course and she is going to have a bright future.”  

Georgie is one of only five candidates nominated across the country, and she and Jennie are preparing to attend the finals at the Custard Factory in Birmingham at the end of the month. 

Georgie chose to study a T Level for the work placement opportunities that are available.  “I’m a very hands-on learner, and the T Level suited me with work placement so that I could learn on the job. It’s allowed me to progress in a tech role. If I had chosen A Levels, I wouldn’t have gone into technology, which is my dream career.” she explained.  

Her success in the T Level has led to her Degree Apprenticeship, she will spend one day a week in London, one day of university work and one day every five weeks at Nottingham Trent University. Every six weeks she will rotate around the data team at Dunelm, so she can investigate different projects and gain a wide range of experiences.  

Georgie has impressed throughout her course and work experience, especially with her confidence and skills in software development. At The Beehive in Ashford, she ran the company’s social media and eBay accounts, which helped her understand the importance of digital technologies in a business environment. Her summer placement in the Health Department at the University of Kent further built her passion for data analytics and deepened her understanding of data manipulation.  

“My work experience placements were so exciting. I’ve developed a wide range of data skills and soft skills such as communication and presentation. I fell in love with data during my placement with the University of Kent. I loved how data is so important when helping people. It’s great that I can take experiences from both placements and use them in my Degree Apprenticeship.” 

Jennie admitted that the competition for the finals was tough, but receiving the email confirming Georgie’s nomination was a moment of pride: “She had no idea I’d nominated her. It’s nice to have that validation back that she is a star. To us, she is the T Level student of the year.”  

Georgie described the nomination for the award as surreal and was very surprised when Jennie told her the news. “I couldn’t quite believe it. I felt good getting the recognition and I like being the best version of myself that I can be. To win would be mind-blowing and be a great achievement I can be proud of.” 

Good Luck to Georgie at the finals later this month, and we wish all T Level students the best in their future, whether they are heading to university, Degree Apprenticeships, or straight into the industry.  

Learn more about the T Levels available at EKC Ashford College and how these support students to achieve through dedicated work experience opportunities.