Afshah scoops science award

Gloria Oates... award presented in memory of former health boss

A new award to honour the achievements of science students has been presented in memory of the former chairman of governors of Oldham Sixth Form College.

The Gloria Oates Award for Excellence and Science was presented to Afshah Ashfaq at the college’s annual celebration evening.

A former nurse, Mrs Oates worked her way up from the wards to become the chief executive of the trust which runs the Royal Oldham Hospital and was awarded an OBE for services to healthcare in 2000.

She died in August, aged 71, after a short illness.

The science award recognises the achievements of a student who has progressed to a health-related field.

It was presented to Afshah (18), from Rochdale, who is now studying diagnostic radiography, by Mrs Oates’s five daughters.

Speaking at her first celebration evening since being appointed college principal, Jayne Clarke said: “Gloria’s pride in the students and staff at the college was immense and we could not have wanted for a stronger advocate and yet critical friend.

“Gloria had extremely high standards and expectations of herself and others and her influence remains throughout our our work.

“Most of the students and parents in the audience will probably not have met Gloria, but all have benefited from her influence on the college’s work.”

Mrs Clarke also paid tribute to her predecessor Nick Brown who stepped down in June.

He had led the college since it opened in 1992 and Mrs Clarke added: “He was a truly outstanding principal with the vision and skills to ensure the college was the very best it could be.”