CAVA, a non-profit membership organization, has announced the winners and runners-up of the 2024-25 CAVA Awards on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. These awards recognize exceptional learners and educators across Access to Higher Education. The annual awards celebrate academic excellence, resilience, and inspirational teaching within CAVA’s network of Access to HE Diplomas.
The winners of the student categories, Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Commitment to Study, will be nominated for the prestigious national Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize. This award honors the legacy of Keith Fletcher, a champion of widening participation in the South West region.
This year, CAVA received an extraordinary number of powerful nominations. CEO Emily Ross stated, “The stories shared with us were inspiring, moving, and a testament to the life-changing impact of Access to HE. Choosing a winner and runner-up was exceptionally difficult.”
In the Outstanding Academic Achievement category, David Langley from Nottingham College was named the winner. After a 20-year break from education, Langley returned to pursue his goal of progressing to university through the Access to HE (Science) Diploma. His tutor, Pietro Albano, described him as an “outstanding and proactive student” who excelled academically and also supported and encouraged his peers. Langley’s dedication to independent research and steady growth in confidence led him to pursue a degree in Chemistry.
Langley shared that returning to education had a transformative effect on his mental health after years of suffering. He described studying as “more like a cure,” reshaping his confidence and sense of identity. His learning journey can be summed up in three words: challenging, affirming, and transformative. He is now thriving in a Chemistry degree and has long-term plans to continue his learning journey.
The runner-up in the Outstanding Academic Achievement category was Alice Bailey from the College of West Anglia. Bailey’s passion for veterinary care was discovered during work experience at a local practice, leading her to pursue the Access to HE (Veterinary Science) Diploma. She excelled academically, achieving distinctions across all graded units. Her tutor, Deejay Latchuman, described her as highly capable with a strength for research and analysis. Despite some personal challenges, Bailey maintained a high level of achievement.
Bailey expressed deep gratitude to her tutors for their outstanding support and welfare guidance. She has now progressed to university to study Veterinary Science and is considering future career pathways in both small animal practice and farm work.
In the Outstanding Commitment to Study category, Amy Bartlett from Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst, was named the winner. Bartlett has shown extraordinary resilience throughout her education after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at age 12 and experiencing multiple relapses and two stem cell transplants. Despite ongoing medical appointments and the physical challenges of treatment, Bartlett thrived on the Access to HE (Land-Based Studies) Diploma. The course helped her regain her confidence and overcome her anxiety of returning to an educational environment and engaging with people her own age.
Bartlett actively participated in all practical activities, achieving distinctions in all graded modules. She shared, “I feel a great sense of achievement that, despite my reduced energy levels and mobility challenges, I still got involved with everything.” Her tutor, Bethany Drury, described her as quietly strong, committed, and an inspiration to her peers.
The runner-up in the Outstanding Commitment to Study category was Zoe Stephenson from City College Plymouth. Stephenson began the Access to HE (Social Sciences) Diploma at age 18 after leaving A-levels due to her needs not being supported. Despite challenges posed by her disability and periods of ill health, her positivity and determination were a constant presence throughout her course. She found a particular passion for Law, excelling in discussions and during a mock court exercise in which she acted as prosecutor.
Her tutor, Rebeca Elias-Jones, praised her resilience, positivity, and high academic achievement. Stephenson said the award recognition “strengthened my confidence and reminded me of what I am capable of achieving” as she prepares for the next stage of her education.
The Inspirational Tutor Award, introduced for the 2024-25 awards, attracted over 60 nominations from students. The winner, Gemma Hutchings from City College Plymouth, was described by learners as “life-changing” in her support. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand each learner’s goals, their university ambitions, long-term career hopes, and the personal challenges they faced. Students said this care shaped everything she did, from her feedback and guidance to consistently aligning their targets to help them reach their aspirations.
Beyond academic support, Hutchings created a vibrant, engaging learning environment. Students recalled creative lessons, guest speakers, walks, VR experiences, and her infectious enthusiasm that made the subject come alive. Many learners said they would not have completed the course without her belief in them.
The runner
