Students experienced the grandeur of a graduation ceremony held at the beautiful and historic Durham Cathedral.

Donning caps and gowns, Bishop Auckland College graduates from a diverse range of disciplines, including engineering, teaching, sport and health and social care, as well as music, performing arts and art and design, received their scrolls in a ceremony filled with pride and personal achievement.

The ceremony was made more special by The Revd Canon Michael Everitt leading the praise for the graduates, while Durham Constabulary's Chief Constable Rachel Bacon delivered an inspiring guest speaker address.

“The celebration of celebrations” was the perfect way to highlight the College's drive to create “positive change through education and learning”, according to Bishop Auckland College Group’s Principal and Chief Executive Shaun Hope.

Mr Hope also emphasised the college's role as an ‘anchor institution’ within the community, providing opportunities for both young learners and those returning to education to achieve their goals and change in their lives.

Georgina Peart, 23, graduated with her PGCE and has successfully gained a full-time teaching role, teaching Health & Social Care.

(Image: Chris Booth)

She said: “I now have a job working at the college. There have been so many opportunities. Bishop Auckland College is part of my family, and they have developed me to be the teacher I am.”

Malgorzata Rybak-Hadlo, 40, graduated with a distinction in HNC in engineering.

She said: “This college has been amazing to me. Even though I am an older student and a foreign woman, all the people at SWDT (part of the College Group) have been so helpful. They cared so much about us all."

“Durham Cathedral has been a beautiful place to celebrate - and this was the reason why I decided to wear the Harry Potter glasses for the occasion.”

(Image: Chris Booth)

One of the highlights of the evening was a performance by second-year Level 3 Music student Jayden Tomlinson.

The 17-year-old showcased his talent by playing songs from popular artists including Ed Sheeran and Oasis.

He said: “I arrived at college without my GCSE maths and English. I had no idea of the direction I was heading. I will leave with both my maths and English and an education you can’t buy.”

And 54-year-old Mary O’Sullivan, who has set up her own business, Sunshine and Showers Counselling, obtained a 2:1 honours degree in Integrative Counselling Practice. She has progressed onto the Masters in Psychotherapy Studies at the college.

She said: “I started at this College 23 years ago on Counselling Level 1 and 2 and progressed from there. I wanted to help people."

“Wednesday is my favourite day of the week because I come to college. It is a magnificent place to be and I don’t want to leave.”

(Image: Chris Booth)

The rich history of the Cathedral provided a truly memorable backdrop for the graduates to celebrate their achievements.

Lindsey Moses, programme lead for Psychotherapy Studies, continued a light-hearted tradition of wearing a Batman t-shirt to the graduation.

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Lindsey said: “This event is the pinnacle of our success story across Higher Education at Bishop Auckland college. To know that you graduate here at Durham Cathedral from your degrees, diplomas and masters, is a fantastic celebration.

“The learning journey goes so quickly. You can’t take these things too seriously, so I started to wear this Batman t-shirt to the graduation event. If I turned up without it, students would be up in arms!”

The College had HE students enrolled on a wide range of subjects in HNCs, HNDs, Higher Apprenticeships, Open University validated Degrees, Foundation Degrees and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education validated by the University of Sunderland.