Hopwood Hall College Uniformed Public Sectors passing out parade

Hopwood Hall College Uniformed Public Sectors passing out parade
Best Drill - Delta Group

36 More Image(s) In Gallery

Hundreds of proud parents were joined by distinguished guests yesterday (Friday 27 June), including the Mayor of Rochdale Carol Wardle and Middleton and Heywood MP Jim Dobbin, to watch students from the Uniformed Public Sectors (UPS) course in their passing out parade.

Held at the Middleton campus of Hopwood Hall College, 240 students marched onto the parade ground to the beat of a full RAF Cadet marching band.

As well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, the parade was attended by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and representatives from the Police, Rochdale Council, the Armed Forces, the Navy and the family of Drummer Lee Rigby, Lynn and Ian Rigby.

Following the parade, a minutes silence was held by staff, students and those in attendance in memory of fallen servicemen and ex Hopwood Hall College UPS students, including Drummer Lee Rigby.

Students then took part in a number of demonstrations to showcase the skills they had learnt whilst on the course.

Awards were for:

• Best PE 
• Best outdoor education 
• Best endeavour 
• Best student 
• Best high sports leader
• Best drill
• Memorial award for overall commitment to the college and colleagues

A special award was given to student Tony Riley for achieving an A Grade in his PRMC. Tony is set to join the Royal Marines in September.

Tutor John Hall said: “The day is about celebrating our students and their achievements over the last year. We have had a great class who have achieved a lot and a class that we are all very proud of.”

The Uniformed Public Services department at Hopwood Hall College prepares young people for work in a wide range of Public Services, including the Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance Services, the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force, the Prison Service or HM Customs and Excise.

Unfortunately, due to low cloud, a planned parachute jump by the RAF Falcons had to be cancelled.

Students leaving the course will now go on to further education, or head off for careers in the armed forces. Some students will also continue their education at the college.