A PROJECT leader at Great Yarmouth College has been named among 100 finalists shortlisted from 2,558 nominations for two major national awards.Great Yarmouth is one of only two colleges from across Britain to be selected as finalists in two categories of the prestigious Star Awards in London for unsung heroes in further education.

A PROJECT leader at Great Yarmouth College has been named among 100 finalists shortlisted from 2,558 nominations for two major national awards.

Great Yarmouth is one of only two colleges from across Britain to be selected as finalists in two categories of the prestigious Star Awards in London for unsung heroes in further education.

Peter Thompson, who has turned around the lives of many teenagers on the Entry to Employment (e2e) project he leads, is among the finalists for the national leadership award.

His three-strong e2e team is in the final 10 for the Response to Learners' Needs category.

The pilot started with 10 students four years ago - today 156 students are on the 22-week programme.

The programme has enjoyed an 86 per cent positive outcome compare to a 54 per cent national average and also had an impact on the NEET figures for Great Yarmouth - young people not in education, employment nor training - bringing about a two per cent drop.

Mr Thompson said: “It's an amazing achievement that the college is in two of the final 10 categories which says a lot about the success of e2e for its learners.

Peter's nomination praised his “passion, vision and commitment” and described him as a “shining example” who had a real and lasting impact on the lives of young learners.

Vice-principal Daphne King said: “Peter has done really well to get this far. We really hope he wins.”