Trinity’s Hall of Fame, is our annual recognition programme to celebrate your students’ achievements and development. Candidates in the UK and Ireland, who have completed a qualification across our range of arts and language qualifications, can be nominated by their teachers, family members, Arts Award advisers, or by a fellow student.
There are four categories candidates can be nominated in:
- Overcoming challenges - qualification success despite difficult circumstances or barriers to access
- Creativity - originality, inventiveness, taking a creative approach to their qualification
- Achievement – outstanding or high achievement in their qualification results
- Personal development - personal learning or skills development via their exam/qualification
In this post we spotlight some of our fantastic 'Class of 2025’ candidates in the words of the people who nominated them…
Overcoming Challenges- Sacha Heath Wolsak Classical & Jazz, Cello Grade 7
Sacha was born with significant challenges. He is on the autism spectrum, has dyscalculia and dyspraxia, and struggles with working memory, social communication and executive functioning. Sacha’s educational journey has been a difficult one. After being out of school for two years, he was admitted to a specialist school with an Education, Health & Care Plan where he was able to take a limited number of GCSEs in a supportive environment. The one area of his life that has given him a sense of consistency and confidence was learning to play the cello with his extraordinary teacher, Naomi Yandell. For fourteen years, Naomi has provided Sacha with the perfect balance of patience, compassion and high standards. Defying all expectations, Sacha was able to earn a Merit in his Grade 7 Cello exam.
Achievement Maryam Ismayilova Acting (Solo) Grade 8
Maryam is an exceptionally talented, motivated and versatile performer. Her knowledge of the theatrical world is immensely impressive and she displays genuine enthusiasm and understanding of plays from a myriad of ages and genres. As a result, she has always achieved outstanding results in her Trinity exams achieving high Distinctions at both Grade 7 and Grade 8 levels (where she achieved 92/100 and 90/100 respectively). These results are indicative of not only her diligence, but they also stem for the zealous manner in which she approaches performing. From her preparatory lessons and rehearsals, until the examinations themselves, Maryam’s performances are consistently imaginative, bold and of outstanding quality.
Maryam has demonstrated on numerous occasions that she possesses considerable prowess and ability as a performer. However, it is also her relentless drive and exemplary work ethic which allows her to achieve the highest standards within her examinations.
Personal Development- Cerys Jane Ford Classical and Jazz, Piano, Grade 3
Cerys moved to Gloucestershire shortly before the COVID pandemic and lockdown. She was extremely shy and retiring, and it was difficult to assess her confidence and ability. Initially we explored a variety of pieces to increase her confidence and technical ability, which she subsequently performed in her school. This was very unexpected from the pupil who barely uttered a word in her piano lessons and who was at times completely unresponsive. She was communicating through music. She needed music to unlock her potential.
The change has been gradual but profound. This year, Cerys went to a three-day folk festival, something that would have been unthinkable a year ago. She was completely inspired by the music and happily joined in with all the activities. Lessons are a pleasure. Now studying both the Grade 4 and Grade 5 piano repertoire, Cerys wants to study music at GCSE, learn new instruments and experiment with styles.
Cerys’ resilience, determination, courage and growing self- belief have resulted in a happy confident young person who not only speaks from the heart through her music, but has been transformed in her social and emotional development.
Creativity- Iyla Chakal, Acting, Solo, Grade 5
As soon as I began teaching Iyla, she instantly displayed a palpable enthusiasm for the weird and wonderful when it comes to performance. When participating in improvisational work, she consistently displayed bold choices and ingenuity as an actor, never shying away from an opportunity to explore the unusual in a comedic and engaging manner. Whilst she has always wanted to select quirky characters and unique situations for her examination monologues, it is when she creates her original scenes that her inventive nature really shines through. She has consistently produced incredibly unique and memorable character developments throughout her examinations, and she is unafraid to explore a variety of characters in a way that displays an abundance of creativity.
Overcoming Challenges- Saqib Nassar Classical & Jazz, Electronic Keyboard Grade 2
Despite facing significant challenges Saqib has demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and talent in his pursuit of music education. Saqib has faced many barriers such as limited access to study material, financial challenges, and lack of formal resources. However, he has consistently found ways to overcome these obstacles.
We could only afford a teacher online once every fortnight and, due to a time difference, he had to take the classes late at night. His progress is a testament to his determination. This is demonstrated through his actions such as self-learning through online resources, practicing on borrowed or shared equipment, or creating innovative ways to grasp complex techniques when it comes to technical work.
Under these circumstances, he has successfully achieved Initial, Grade 1 and Grade 2, in which he scored 97%, in just one year. He also performed in events at school during Christmas celebrations receiving praise from his teachers. His dedication inspires not only his peers but also everyone in our family, who have no musical knowledge whatsoever!
Achievement- Joseph Murray Arts Award Gold
Joseph has quite literally been "Mr Arts Award" throughout his time at school. He started his journey in Year 7 achieving his Bronze Arts Award. He took Silver Arts Award in Year 9 and then through Years 10 and 11, he volunteered to help Bronze Arts Award pupils as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award. In Year 12 he started Gold Arts Award and, now he is in Year 13 and completing his whole school journey, he has also completed his Arts Award arc! At every stage, Joseph has gone above and beyond.
Whilst much of Joseph's Arts Award work was completed in Year 12, he has spent Year 13 exceeding expectations. This has included taking on the editorship of the school's in-house magazine for Arts Award students, Gold Standard. His editorial in this year's publication felt like a fitting end to his Arts Award story. His final edition can be read here.
Joseph has embraced everything that Arts Award has to offer and deserves every success!
Congratulations to all of our amazing Class of 2025!
If you are working with a student who deserves recognition, why not nominate them today!
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