Barclays Wealth

Students from all five of Isle of Man's schools are put through their paces to identify the top all-round students from each school.

Barclays Wealth has agreed again to sponsor the Student of the Year awards for 2010.  Each year students from the Island's five secondary schools are put through their paces to identify the top all-round students from each school.

In 2009 a more inclusive approach was taken to the awards which resulted in the awards being split into five categories including Citizenship, the Arts, Academic, Sports and Endeavour. This change, initiated by Barclays Wealth, brings the awards in line with the Barclays Wealth belief in diversity by involving and recognising more students in more areas of achievement.

Eligible candidates are sought and nominated by their school in each of the categories. The shortlisted students from each school will be interviewed by a panel incorporating Barclays Wealth and the Department of Education staff, to decide upon the overall winner for each of the five categories. Each of the 25 school category winners will attend an awards ceremony in the Autumn.

At this event, the winner of each category will be announced, along with the overall Barclays Wealth Student of 2010.

Greg Ellison, Managing Director of Barclays Wealth Isle of Man said: 'This competition is a celebration of some of the extraordinary students we have on the Island and goes some way to recognising their achievements. Feedback from last year's five winners has really brought home the benefits of widening our scope. Having five winners, as opposed to previously having one winner and one runner up has been well received by the Schools. There is no doubt that having winners in categories such as the Arts and Endeavour has enabled pupils who may not have won an overall academic prize to be recognised for their achievements. I have received emails, letters and feedback from winners, and in some cases their parents, highlighting how the students have benefitted from winning which is great to hear.'

'Barclays Wealth is committed to supporting the development of talent and young people on the island; in addition to this scheme Barclays Wealth is a strong supporter of the Junior Achievement programme - with both funding and staff involvement. The standard of entrants into Student of the Year is always extremely high and I am looking forward to meeting the finalists later this year.'

Eddie Teare MHK, Minister for Education and Children said: I am delighted that Barclays Wealth has decided to continue its support of this competition, which will encourage our young people to try harder and bring out the best in them. We are fortunate in that our young people are very talented and this competition will give them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and benchmark themselves against colleagues from other schools.'

The five winners will receive a student of the year trophy and a trip to the Dusseldorf Christmas markets in December.

For further information contact:

Will Bowen
+44 (0) 20 7114 8434

Jignasa Patel
+44 (0)20 7699 2483

Lucy Davidson
+44 (0) 20 7114 8947

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