AQA Celebration Ceremony 2022: RSBC celebrating the great achievements of the blind and partially sighted young people

AQA Ceremony: What is it?

The AQA Celebration Ceremony is an annual ceremony held to recognise the achievements of our young people over the year and recognise all their hard work in reaching those achievements. Oxford AQA is a recognised accredited qualification that is taught in schools, colleges and learning establishments across the country they include GCSEs, AS and A-levels and more. RSBC is a recognised awarding body. They can be awarded as individual units toward a qualification or as a full qualification itself.

A much-loved RSBC event

On Saturday 29th October 2022, RSBC held AQA Celebration Ceremony at the Life Without Limits Centre (LWLC) in London. Blind and partially sighted young people and their families attended the ceremony. In total, we saw 21 young people being recognised and celebrated for achievements across a huge mix of subjects and activities. This year 87 young people have achieved awards.

Showcasing young people’s talents

A young man seating and playing saxophone

The event was also an opportunity for the young people to showcase their talent in the company of their families, friends and RSBC staff and volunteers.

A parent who has been attending the ceremony since our very first one expressed how great it is to witness young people achieve so much and grow as individuals. Every year her daughter loves the performances that are showcased and every year Mum asks her if she would like to attend the creative group, it has always been a ‘no’. However, it was lovely to hear that this year, after being inspired by others at the ceremony her daughter said yes and this was a massive milestone for mum and daughter.

Here what a mum said:

Moments dedicated to young people and their successes

There were two special moments of celebration for everyone at the ceremony. A big round of applause was sounded for one young person, as he had received some fantastic news the day before the ceremony, finding out he had finally been offered a job, after looking for employment for over a year! Also, another young person whose birthday was on the very same day, was treated to a massive rendition of happy birthday when everyone in the crowd joined together to sing for her.

2 people standing up on stage with a microphone

The performers received lots of praise for all of their hard work and amazing songs! This year at the AQA Ceremony everyone was treated to a wonderful array of performances to mark everyone’s hard work and success this year. Overall, there were 9 young people who took the stage and wowed everyone with singing solos, piano and poetry recitals and even a saxophone solo! A huge well done to all the young people for being brave, and getting up in front of everyone and sharing your amazing talents!

Meeting and getting to know each other

3 young women sitting next to each other and smiling

It was great to see a range of different performances throughout the ceremony, you can tell the young people had worked extremely hard rehearsing and putting it together.

After the ceremony, everyone was gathered around the centre and having the time and space to truly come together as a community. From parents, siblings, staff, volunteers friends and family, the Life Without Limits Centre (LWLC) was filled with an atmosphere of positive welcoming energy and togetherness!

What the young people say about the AQA Celebration Ceremony

Photos of the award-winners

A young woman receiving a certificate standing up next a woman

A young man receiving a certificate standing up next a woman

A young boy receiving a certificate standing up next a woman

A young man with a saxophone receiving a certificate standing up next a woman

A young girl receiving a certificate standing up next a woman

Interested in gaining an AQA certificate at RSBC?

If you are blind or partially sighted and would like to join us and gain an AQA certificate, please contact us via email: connections@rsbc.org.uk or by phone:020 3198 0225.

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