A DETERMINED Bishop Auckland student who overcame childhood mobility issues and bullying has celebrated an extraordinary double triumph at his college’s annual awards night.

Matthew Hedley, 25, took home two top accolades at the Bishop Auckland College Group’s Student Awards Night, marking the culmination of an inspiring nine-year educational journey that has led to him landing a job there too.

Having recently graduated with a BSc in sports coaching, Matthew was named Higher Education Student of the Year before receiving the night’s main Principal’s Special Recognition honour from principal and group CEO Shaun Hope.

Matthew admitted the victory came as a total shock.

“At the time I was shocked to win the awards because there were so many brilliant nominees, it felt like a real honour to be selected,” he said.

“I felt very happy and when I got home my mam was so proud, she took so many pictures of the trophies.”

Matthew’s success follows a childhood marked by significant developmental challenges. Born with a form of dwarfism, his condition had a considerable impact on his early development.
Matthew said: “I have a disability and I didn’t start to walk or talk until I was aged five.

“Doctors said I would be in a wheelchair, or bed bound because of those mobility issues I used to have. It still affects the mobility side of things today.
“Dwarfism can affect people in different ways. I am fortunate that I now walk everywhere, but I do have other underlying medical conditions too.”

He also faced social hurdles growing up, adding: “I used to get bullied a lot when I was younger, people used to think I was different so I could be bullied. I just accepted that and became thick skinned along the way.”

Matthew’s academic path began within the Bishop Auckland College Group’s Aspire Independent Living, moving on to an employability course before completing a Level 1, 2 and 3 in sport. He then did a foundation degree level 4 and 5 in sports coaching before finishing his Level 6 and securing a degree.

Today, Matthew is utilising his lived experience to inspire others, having landed a job last October as a learner and supporter assistant at Aspire. He now coaches and supports other students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Matthew said: “Because of the experience of what I have done I can show students with additional needs it doesn’t matter what you have, if you are wheelchair bound, disabled, or have other needs, it is about the dedication or the hard work you can put into it.

“I want to use my story to help others achieve what they can do. I support students with their work, conversations if they have any trouble outside college, I also run some football training sessions off my own back for those who want to do that.

“I never got the chance to do that, so to be able to put something on that benefits them makes me feel like I am doing a fantastic job.”

While Matthew loves spending free time watching movies, listening to music – anything from Bon Jovi to Kenny Rogers – and playing guitar, his main focus remains on education.
Supported by his tutors, he has secured a place on a teacher training course.

He said: “My tutors have told me I should do that and train to be a teacher. I have had some experience and I think I have found my next course – Bishop Auckland College can’t get rid of me that easily!”

Matthew credits much of his success to his mum, Karen, who pushed him to attend the college.

He said: “My mam pushes me and always has and she has been fantastic. I wouldn’t have been at this college without her.

“And since then, I am still in denial of what I have done or how much I have progressed. When I speak to the tutors, they tell me how proud I should be because there aren’t many who would have a full degree in sports coaching from starting on a special needs course.

“The support I have had from the college, there is no support like it, I will keep saying this for as long as I can.

“The support from student services to LSAs, teachers, everyone, has been phenomenal, and I always recommend that others should speak to people here because they will help – I don’t have a bad word to say about anyone at this college.”