A special guest surprised students by handing out certificates at the Brooklands College graduation ceremony last week.

Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge and Secretary of State for Defence, also spoke to the audience at the ceremony about the role of education in today’s competitive world, where students have to compete for jobs across the continents.

Mr Hammond also talked about the Government’s motivation to improve education so the UK ranked highly on the world stage.

Maureen Kilminster, principal of Brooklands College, said she was very pleased that Mr Hammond came to the ceremony on Friday, September 13, as the special guest.

She said: “Although the focus was on graduates today, I have also heard Philip speak about the need for vocational training and apprentices, where talented young people can learn on the job and receive free training at their local college.

“At Brooklands College we provide a wide range of qualifications for students of different ages, skills, and capabilities, that is why our graduation ceremony holds a special place, as many of those who graduate have started with the college at 16 straight from school and have been able to continue to study to higher education level; a testament to their hard work and application and also to the teaching skills and support of our staff at the college.”

Graduating students had studied subjects including motor race engineering, graphic design, teaching and public services.