Steve DownesThe step from school to college can be a big one. But more than 1,000 14-16-year-olds have taken it early, and are thriving on vocational courses at City College Norwich.Steve Downes

The step from school to college can be a big one. But more than 1,000 14-16-year-olds have taken it early, and are thriving on vocational courses at City College Norwich.

On Tuesday evening, more than 360 of the youngsters gathered at St Peter Mancroft Church, Millennium Plain, Norwich, for the college's 14-16 award ceremony.

Parents, employers and guests joined the teenagers for the event, which recognised the students who have been spending up to two days a week at the Ipswich Road college to study vocational courses.

The students spend the remainder of their time during the week at their local school, where they study for GCSEs in core subjects, including English, maths and science.

More than 35 high schools in and around Norwich have students at the college to study in creative arts, sport, hair and beauty therapy industries, health, social care and early education, business and computing, hospitality and catering and technology.

Students participate in one of four programmes: Step Up, the increased flexibility programme, the diploma and the young apprenticeship.

Thirty-seven outstanding students received awards for their achievements, with 15 of the awards sponsored by local employers.

The courses are designed to give students practical, work related skills and experience that employers, colleges and universities value.

College principal Dick Palmer said: 'Many of our award winners have shown great aptitude, true dedication and sheer hard work to get to where they are.

'The awards event is our way of saying that vocational talent is just as important as academic, skills just as important as knowledge and that our society needs a rich mixture of all these things.'

Here are some of the young people getting outstanding student awards - and what their nominators said:

t Tom Sadd, 16, City of Norwich School - hairdressing and beauty therapy (increased flexibility)

Tom is following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, who both work as hairdressers. Tom has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm for his course and already works part-time for a hair salon - Method Hairdressers in Norwich. He has impressed in work as well as at college and has now been offered an apprenticeship with Method.

t Ryan Brant, 15, City of Norwich School - Step Up in Sports

Ryan has dyslexia, but has not let it stand in the way of his success on the Step Up in Sports course. He stands out for his dedication to getting all of his work completed and for his willingness to take on new challenges.

t Leanne De'ath, 16, Taverham High School - catering (increased flexibility)

Leanne has been a model student over the past two years; her attendance has been excellent. She has always been enthusiastic, polite, well-mannered and shown a maturity far above her age. Leanne has always been fully committed from day one, she has been very positive in her attitude to all lessons, constantly producing work to a very high standard and will be progressing on to a full time catering programme in September.

t Shaun McKay, 15, Wymondham High School - performing arts young apprenticeship

Shaun chose the young apprenticeship course because he was interested in drama and also wanted to develop his knowledge of all aspects of theatre, such as production, make-up and promotion. He has worked exceptionally hard and his acting skills have really improved through the course. Shaun would like to pursue a career in acting and plans to start a BTec national diploma in acting with the college in September.

t Tiffany Bolingbroke, 15, Attleborough High School - health and social care (increased flexibility)

Tiffany is an exceptional student who works above what is expected and achieves high grades, using her initiative to complete her work to a high standard.

THE BUSINESS AND COMPUTING SCHOOL

YOUNG APPRENTICESHIPS

Retail Young Apprenticeship

Albert Abad; Eli Davey; Katie Davis; Hannah Dunne; Serena Guy; Jordan Harrowing; Hannah Hayland; Charlotte Henderson; Gabrielle Henderson; Hal Hutchinson; Jay Johnson; Matt Kerr; Phillip Pallett; Chantelle Richardson; James Segolo; Gemma Socratous; Kai Walding; Kimberly Waterman.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Retail Young Apprenticeship Gemma Socratous. Sponsored by Virgin Money Ltd.

SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS

YOUNG APPRENTICESHIPS

Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group One

Connor Chue-Sang; Jamie Formoy; Maria-Christina Lines; Camlo McGee; Shaun McKay; Ava Wilson.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group One - Shaun McKay. Sponsored by Norfolk County Council.

Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group Two

Maria Allcock; Shani Betts; Lauren Bishop; Terri Carter; Victoria Collier; Rebecca Curson; Sadie De Boer; Alice Fitt; Christopher Gregory; Nadine Lane; Harriet May; Sophie Pill; Nicola Slaughter ; Laura Waterfield; Kaylee Weaver.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group Two - Maria Allcock. Sponsored by The Garage.

Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group Three

Camilla Batch; Luke Baverstock; Cherese Brooks; Morgan Ellis; Christopher Goodwin; Ruby Hanley; Charlotte Lindsay.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Performing Arts Young Apprenticeship Group Three - Luke Baverstock.

DIPLOMAS

Foundation Diploma in Creative & Media

Megan Price.

Higher Diploma in Creative and Media

Liam Wallace.

SCHOOL OF HAIR AND BEAUTY THERAPY INDUSTRIES

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group One

Heidi Green; Hayley Hill; Jasmine Howard; Kerry Ivory; Georgia Jackson; Sophie Johnson; Chelsea Nelson; Emma Osborne; Eleanor Ready; Hollie Smerdon; Jenifer Southerland; Georgina Stevenson; Natasha Thurlow; Kelly White; Danielle Woodrow.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group One - Emma Osborne.

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group Two

Megan Airey; Marie Ames; Holly Armstrong; Kate Barney; Kelsi Chadwick; Cassie Esplin; Kirsty Evans; Molly Gladden; Lauren Mallett; Debbie-Louise Manning; Melissa Skutela; Katie Smith; Hannah Utting; Rebecca Woodgate.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group Two - Melissa Skutela.

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group Three

Anna-Lee Arthurton; Emily Barnes; Krystal Bartram; Sammy Cleeton; Chelsea Cook; Brogan Davy; Sophie Devine; Siobhan Mark-Baker; Coral Moore; Jessica Orford; Carly Seaman; Lisa Smith; Chelsea-Lousie Smith; Olympia Trestain; Kerry Webb.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Group Three - Coral Moore.

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Twilight Group

Demi Betts; Jasmine Camilleri; Chantel Davison; Ashley Marie Gladden; Jake Grand; Terri Grimes; Tegan Hipperson; Josie Mitson-White; Shanice Oakley; Cheryl Pond; Tom Sadd; Laura Warminger; Shannon Watling; Stacey White.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Twilight Group - Tom Sadd. Sponsored by Capital Hair and Beauty

Level Two Hairdressing Group One

Chelsea Dean; Charlotte Fitzgerald; Charlotte Goreham; Jade Hewitt; Jessica King; Sarah Marsh; Georgia Miles; Megan Scotter; Chloe Strutt; Charlotte Williams.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 Level Two Hairdressing Group One - Charlotte Fitzgerald. Sponsored by Linkwise Events Ltd

Level Two Hairdressing Group Two

Pagan Ede; Katherine-Louise Folkard; Kirsty Holmes; Nicola Holt; Carla Moore; Chelsea Saunders; Emma Seville; Serena Suggitt; Jordan Wigger. Outstanding Student Award 2010 Level Two Hairdressing Group Two - Nicola Holt.

STEP UP

Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Step Up

Tonya Clifton; Ivanna Cooper; Sheriece Lockwood; Madaline Needham; Horgnoreach Chimm; Tanya Langley; Chloe Power; Holly Mann; Laura Pearson. Outstanding Student Award 2010 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Step Up - Horgnoreach Chimm.

SCHOOL OF HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION

Increased Flexibility Childcare Group One

Gemma Clarke; Amie Greensitt; Michelle McCormack; Amber Minns; Laura Pochin; Jasmine Smith; Katie Soanes; Louise Taylor; Emily Tye; Paige Wilson; Lauren Wyatt. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Childcare Group One - Emily Tye.

Childcare Group Two

Melissa Blackburn; Lauren Cawdron; Emma Cotsford; Samantha Dalton; Chloe Doy; Chantelle Goss; Hannah Goward; Keeley Hoyte; Charlotte Joseph; Hazel Land; Hannah Nobbs; Bobbie Riches; Jasmin Roll; Shannon Skyring-Pizey; Chloe Smith; Natasha Stokes; Brydie Welch; Sophie Woodbine. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Childcare Group Two - Bobbie Riches. Sponsored by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Health and Social Care

Jessica Bailey; Tiffany Bolingbroke; Eleana Briggs; Hannah Brown; Cherie Dagless; Ashleigh Greenwood; Holly Hayes; Sensi-Leigh Ives-Keeler; Olivia Milligan; Veronique Mwembo; Tengeneza Rajabu; Carrie Rush; Vicki Smithurst; Chelsey Talling; Kayley Wilson. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Health and Social Care - Tiffany Bolingbroke. Sponsored by Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

YOUNG APPRENTICESHIPS

Health and Social Care Young Apprenticeship Group One

Georgia Blair; Ruby Chitate; Sophie Conneely; Shannon Crome; Kathleen Croskell; Meghan Day; Stacey Deniel; Natalie Holland; Minenhle Sibanda; Farhana Uddin; Kiaye Martell; Olivia Woodbine. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Health and Social Care Young Apprenticeship Group One - Natalie Holland. Sponsored by Open.

Health and Social Care Young Apprenticeship Group Two

Bethany Andrews; Andrea Bounden; Rosie Burton Browne; Aaron Joshua Manio; Adama Dibba; Charlotte Gardner; Jessica Gedge; Rachel Herman; Lauren Keene; Jasmine Marsh; Chelsie Moore; Paula Murray; Charlie Notley; Louise Read; Sarai Riches; Rosanna Singh; Megan Stone; Alice Tobin; Laura Williams. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Health and Social Care Youg Apprenticeship Group Two - Charlotte Gardner.

THE HOTEL SCHOOL

Increased Flexibility Catering Group One

Ashley Bradford; Alex Caistor; Alex Colahan; Gemma Duffield; Sue Furze; Keeley Gibbs; Liam Kelly; Tara Kennedy; Ryan Lawer; Mark Palmer; Bradley Pearce; James Pooley; James Read ; Harley Stuart. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Catering Group One - James Read.

Catering Group Two

Amber Adams; Luke Boorman; Jamie Clark; Leanne De'ath; Kieran Read; Luke Reeve; David Walling-Coote. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Catering Group Two - Leanne De'ath. Sponsored by Dunston Hall Hotel.

Catering Group Three

Danielle Barrett; Dean Carter; Shane Cullum; Murray Grant; Theresa Harley; Jordan Holman; Matthew Meadows; Nathan Pearce; Samuel Rundle; Annabelle Shevlin; Ryan Ward; Bruce Weller; Danielle Whitworth. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Catering Group Three Shane Cullum. Sponsored by Ramada Jarvis.

STEP UP

Catering Step Up

Samantha Dalton; Nathan Hensley; Scott Higgins; Taylor Keen; Kieran Vince; Billy Wilson; Stefan Woodhouse. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Catering Step Up - Samantha Dalton.

SPORTS

YOUNG APPRENTICESHIPS

Sports Leadership, Coaching and Management

Mark Adamson; Georgina Brooks; Chloe Brown; Jack Browne; Molly Bruton; Leonie Christie; Kristian Dyer; Joe Giddings; Kieron Goreham; Bryan Hampshire; Luke Horn; Lewis Hornagold; Steven Hubbard; Theo Hudson; Callan Jones; Joshua Martin; Charlotte Mercer; Sandi Monger; Summer Monger; Matthew Pope; Chris Price; Si�n Standley; Charlotte Sidney; Rebecca Taylor; Tom Walpole; Kieran Wells; Ben Wilford; Ryan Winsdale. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Sports Leadership, Coaching and Management Young Apprenticeship - Ben Wilford. Sponsored by Norwich Evening News.

STEP UP

Sport Step Up

Hakim Alabyad; Ryan Brant; Daniel Gillies; James Potter ; Daniel Wiles ; Chad Heedick - Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Sports Step Up - Ryan Brant.

SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY

Increased Flexibility Construction Group One

Kyle Bamford-Hewitt; Stephen Barnard; Jon Bernard; Laurence Betts; Shaun Brooks; Daniel Bullen; Aaron Eagle; George Eagle; Daniel Eden; Robert Mendham; Andrew Morrey; Liam Neave; Rui Rodrigues. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Construction Group One - Laurence Betts.

Construction Group Two

Connor Bird; Edward Chipperfield; Shaun Dunthorne; Thomas Giles; Luke Mann; Christopher Marris; Luke Medcraft; Jake Reeve; Connor Shepherd; Oliver Weavers; Christopher Wheeler. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Construction Group Two - Thomas Giles.

Construction Group Three

Abdul Hakeem Alabyad; Ryan Baston; Ryan Bircham; Adam Browne; Ryan Gray; Brandon Mason; Lewis Morley; Matthew Rush; Stephen Stone; Daniel Tooke; Ben Watling ; Shanon White. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Construction Group Three - Ben Watling. Sponsored by Norwich City Council.

Construction Group Four

Shane Britcher; Ben Bryant; Damon Cullabine; Jamie Edge; Deion Hume; Charles Hunt; Benjamin Lee; Ashley Long; Scott Mulley; Lee Peart; Jordan Pitcher-Leveridge; Shane Ramsbottom. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Construction Group Four - Jamie Edge. Sponsored by Skills for Energy.

Manufacturing Engineering Group One

Luke Allen; Daniel Balls; Edward Cook; Daniel Lockwood; Charlie Oakes; Brandon Plunkett; Amin Saki; Aaron Simpson; Martin Welton. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Manufacturing Engineering Group One - Daniel Lockwood. Sponsored by Norwich Electrical Co.

Manufacturing Engineering Group Two

Matthew Amis; Michael Barber; Daniel Barry; Alex Boak; Ben Brister; Glen Brooks; Ben Engledow; Jacob Tilford-Dack; Jak Warner; Brandon Webb; Liam Woodcock. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Manufacturing Engineering Group Two - Alex Boak. Sponsored by Skills for Energy.

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group One

Tom Cossey; Thomas Goodwill; Steven Hawkes; Atanas Hristev; Alex Nicholls; Adam Platford; William Purdy; Max Soileau. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group One - Tom Cossey.

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Two

Joshua Aldis; Roberts Andrews; Louis Blevins; Liam Christopher Elvin; Ben Grantham; Lewis Lupton; Ashley Ramm; Mark Warner; Nicholas Webster. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Two - Joshua Aldis.

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Three

Luke Archer; Dominic Baveystock; Ashley Clarke; Aaron Fulcher; Lenny-John Hawkins; Luke Hensley; Ryan Marum; Ryan Mortley; Christopher Pont; Simon Wright. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Three - Ashley Clarke. Sponsored by Roger Hannant Motor Services.

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Four

Robert Fey; Toby Murrell; Louis Smith; Ben West; Jack Wingfield; Luke Worrall; Sam Wyer. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Group Four - Robert Fey.

STEP UP

Construction Step Up

Bradley Chambers; Damon Cullabine; Jake Dunnell; Trad Green ; Ashleigh Greenwood; Alex Hewitt; Deion Hume; Gary King; Ashleigh King; Jay Martin; Jordan Powley; Ben Walker. Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Construction Step Up - Jordan Powley.

DIPLOMAS

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Foundation Diploma in Construction and Built Environment - Elliot Ajose. Sponsored by Snelling Business Systems.

Outstanding Student Award 2010 in Higher Diploma in Construction and Built Environment - Jake Dawson.