Jordan is part of the team of scientists which helped develop the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. “To work on a trial and potentially be vaccinated with a vaccine I helped with is amazing and gratifying,” he said. Jordan, who attended the King Street campus from 2011-13, studying biology, chemistry, physics and maths. “I already intended to go to university when I started, but the college really raised my aspirations and encouraged me to aim for a higher university,” he said. “All my teachers were encouraging of my ability, but my chemistry teacher was the one who really convinced me I could go to Oxford. I didn’t think that was realistic prior to that. My application was also supported a lot by a personal tutor, which was instrumental in me getting into Oxford – and where I am today.”

Joe (pictured making a TV ad with Anthony Joshua) completed a BTEC in science and exercise with us, and is now the multi-award-winning boss of Brightstar Boxing. He says: “Telford College gave me a lot of opportunities, and I’ve tried to take full advantage of all of them – I managed to do some mentor volunteering and coaching whilst at college which kick-started my love for supporting others through sport. I still keep in touch with some of the staff and have made friends for life at the college. I have fantastic memories of two college trips to Paris – and have since returned to the city to talk about the transformation that sport can make in achieving world change to ministers and global leaders as part of the UNESCO global ministerial sports conference.”

Jade was with us both as a student, and later as a tutor too. After several years with Shrewsbury Town In The Community, she joined West Mercia Police as a trainer, working to help spot signs of vulnerability and exploitation. From there, she became exploitation lead for the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit. In April 2020 she was nominated for an ‘unsung hero’ award for her commitment to tackling child exploitation across Telford & Wrekin. She said: “I believe I owe everything I’ve gone on to do, to my days at Telford College. My outstanding experience wouldn’t have been what it was without the exceptional staff who treat you as a real person instead of just a number or statistic.”