Greenfield student makes his Mark on British Education award shortlist

GREENFIELD student Mark Barrow, who graduated from Bangor University this year, has been nominated for a British Education Award (BEA). 

Mark Barrow

These awards promote excellence in British education and celebrate individuals who have excelled in the UK education system.

Mark, 22, graduated with a First Class Honours degree in History with Journalism, attaining a mark of 84 per cent which placed him top of his year.

The former student of Oldham Sixth Form College also won the Dr John Robert Jones Prize, which is awarded annually to the best students across all disciplines at the University.

He has now been nominated for the UK Award and will attend the ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester on January, 31.  

Dr Nikolaos Papadogiannis, a lecturer in Modern and Contemporary History at Bangor University, nominated Mark for the award.

He said: “Mark was an exceptional student and his performance in all the modules he has attended was outstanding. 

“He won three academic awards at his graduation. In addition to the overall prize, he won awards for the highest dissertation score and the highest overall score. 

“Moreover, Mark was outstanding in terms of his collaboration with his fellow students. He treated the viewpoints of others with respect, even when he disagreed. He actually encouraged other students to participate.” 

Mark, who is currently the University’s Students’ Union Vice-President for Education, said: “The School where I studied was excellent. Pastoral support was better than you’d expect, with academics always being on hand to help, support and provide guidance. 

“I really enjoyed my course here. There has been a diverse range of modules and assessments, and that is so vital in terms of gaining experience of transferable skills.”

Mark chose to study at Bangor University as it was one of only a few institutions to offer the course he wanted.  

He added: “Students get to know their lecturers on first name terms, due to the community feel of Bangor, and because we are a medium sized university.

“Being an outdoors person, there was only one destination for me. North Wales is an amazing area to be a student, and I wouldn’t change the experience I’ve had here.”

For more information about the awards go online: http://britisheducationawards.co.uk/