TWO women from Redditch and Alcester will graduate from the University of Worcester next week with First Class Honours.

Grace Harris from Redditch and Leigh Ginn from Alcester are among around 3,000 graduands who will graduate from the University in the historic Worcester Cathedral next week.

Grace from Headless Cross earned her First-Class Honours in Psychology.

The former St Augustine’s High School pupil said: “To achieve this despite all the challenges the pandemic imposed feels like a massive achievement and I am very proud of myself.

“Attempting to carry on as normal when everything wasn’t normal really knocked my concentration and confidence in my ability to perform well.”

The 21-year-old developed a passion for educational psychology during her degree, and has been inspired to pursue a career supporting the education and mental health of children and young people.

She is currently working as a SEN (Special Educational Needs) teaching assistant at a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities and said she had learnt a lot.

Leigh Ginn, from Boehm Drive, Alcester is also graduating next week with a First Class Honours Physical Education and Sports Coaching Science.

Leigh said she was thrilled to have completed her studies.

“Going into higher education with two small children was very daunting so I am very proud to have achieved a First-Class Honours degree,” she said.

Leigh has now started a Schools Direct PGCE with the university with the aim of becoming a PE teacher.

The 32-year-old added: “Having finished my undergraduate degree here and experiencing the amazing facilities and supportive staff, Worcester was my only option for my Initial Teacher Training year.”

The university’s deputy vice chancellor and provost, professor Sarah Greer, said: “The class of 2021 showed remarkable resilience and determination in the face of some unprecedented challenges during their studies, due to very difficult external circumstances. 

“They have all done so well in earning a degree from Worcester, through their hard work, perseverance and dedication.”