WAES Learner Awards 2026 celebrate resilience and personal growth
Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) proudly celebrated the achievements of its learners at the 2026 Learner Awards, recognising inspirational stories of determination, resilience and success from across the college.
Held in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour at Westminster City Hall, the awards were presented across two ceremonies to accommodate the large number of learners, families, friends, staff and guests attending. Together, the ceremonies celebrated learners from across WAES, including Professional Pathways, ESOL, Community and Cultural Learning, Creative Industries, Digital and Computing, Functional Skills, Green Skills and Teacher Training programmes.
Opening the celebrations, Principal Arinola Edeh CBE paid tribute to the commitment shown by all adult learners who balance education alongside other responsibilities.
“As adults, you’re balancing life, family, work and a whole range of commitments. But what always shines through is your commitment to learning. The fact that you’re here today is a testament to that commitment.”
Nominations were assessed by a panel of representatives from WAES and Westminster City Council, who praised the exceptional standard of entries and the remarkable progress made by learners over the past year.
The morning ceremony celebrated learners from Professional Pathways, Distance Learning, Community and Cultural Learning and ESOL, while the afternoon ceremony recognised achievements in Creative Industries, Digital and Computing, Functional Skills, Green Skills and teacher training. Professor Alex Hughes, Chair of the WAES Board of Governors, joined the morning event, while the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Karen Scarborough, attended as guest of honour in the afternoon.
Professor Hughes reflected on the transformative power of adult education and described WAES as:
“A welcoming, inclusive, supportive community in which every learner counts.”
Throughout the day, learners were recognised not only for academic achievement, but also for the determination and perseverance behind their success. Award recipients included learners who had returned to education after many years away, balanced study with work and caring responsibilities, overcome illness and personal hardship, or used learning as a pathway to rebuild confidence and pursue new ambitions.
The ceremonies featured a number of moving learner speeches that highlighted the impact of adult education.
One of the winners, Dunia Tazkarji described WAES as her “second home” and spoke about how returning to education had transformed her confidence and sense of purpose.
“WAES gave me a place to belong.”
Creative Industries learner Elise Harrison shared her inspiring recovery journey, explaining how learning helped her rebuild her life and develop a career supporting others.
“I thought my life was on a downfall. Then I found the course at WAES.”
Community Learning learner Martin Rowe spoke about the importance of having opportunities for adults to continue learning, while Green Skills winner Peter Biggs described how his training gave him the confidence to launch a community retrofit project in his local area.
The Lord Mayor congratulated all nominees and award winners, praising the resilience and determination shown throughout their learning journeys.
“Completing a course isn’t just about passing an exam. It’s about persistence and determination.”
Awards were presented in each curriculum area, with special Highly Commended and Learner of the Year awards recognising exceptional progress, commitment and contribution to the wider learning community. Winners were celebrated not only for their own achievements but also for the support, encouragement and inspiration they provided to fellow learners.
WAES also thanked Mindful Education, sponsor of the 2026 Learner Awards and a longstanding delivery partner. Speaking during the ceremony, Jonathan Ward of Mindful Education praised the impact of WAES in helping learners progress in their lives and careers and celebrated the opportunity to see those success stories first-hand.
Closing the ceremonies, guests reflected on the importance of lifelong learning and the powerful role education plays in improving lives, strengthening communities and creating new opportunities.
While only one learner in each category received a Learner of the Year award, every nominee embodied the dedication, resilience and ambition that define the WAES community.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 Learner Awards nominees, Highly Commended recipients and Learner of the Year winners. Your achievements are an inspiration, and we look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.
View the photo gallery below to see highlights from the day.
