Mark is top of the class with British Education Award

A GREENFIELD student is top of the class after winning a prestigious British Education Award.

Mark Barrow with his award

Mark Barrow, who graduated from Bangor University in 2018, won the Wales Graduate category at the awards, which celebrate individuals who have excelled in the UK education system.

He excelled to get a First Class Honours degree in History with Journalism, attaining a mark of 84 per cent.

It is the second year in succession that a Bangor graduate has won a British Education Award, as Maisie Prior who won last year’s Higher Education category.

Mark, who received his award at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester, said: “I am delighted to have won.

“Just being nominated for national recognition feels unbelievable, but to have also won is fantastic, and something I could not have expected.

“It just goes to show that Bangor University excels in providing students with a top class education experience.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support and guidance I have received from the University. I’d also like to say a massive thank you to Dr Nikolaos Papadogiannis who nominated me.

“It is great for me to still be heavily involved in the University, as I am really enjoying my role as Education Sabbatical Officer at Undeb Bangor.’

The former Oldham Sixth Form College student came top of his year at Bangor and won the Dr John Robert Jones Prize, awarded annually to the best students across all disciplines.

Dr 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.

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