Sarah Jones, (Chief Exec of Ufi), winner Carol Foley, Highly Commended Hazel Kendryna, Janine Deakin (who collected Sharon Collier's award on her behalf), Eamonn Holmes (who presented the awards with his wife, Ruth Langsford) and Clara Kenyon, from OCR, (who presented the winners and Highly Commended nominees with their awards and certificates at the ceremony).

A Corby student is celebrating after she won an OCR-sponsored award.

Carol Foley scooped the learndirect Progression Award, which recognises learners who have undertaken learndirect training in order to return to work.

A single mum with three children, Carol decided to start learning so she would no longer need to rely on state support. She completed her adult literacy Level 2 qualification within just two weeks and went on to complete further IT courses at White Lion Training in Corby.

Her skills and dedication were recognised by White Lion Training and she was offered a role as a tutor, which she accepted.

OCR Qualifications Director Clara Kenyon presented Carol with her award at a ceremony at London's Science Museum in October. She said: "Carol fully deserves to be rewarded for her successful career and personal progression as a result of learning with learndirect."

Two other students were highly commended in the Progression Award category – Hazel Kendryna from Chulmleigh, and Sharon Collier from Sidcup.

OCR works in partnership with learndirect in the provision of a range of nationally recognised qualifications beyond the learndirect courses.

View further information about the learndirect Achievement Awards.