L-R Riza Patel, Safa Thagia and Ruby Royce from The Sixth Form Bolton
Earlier this month, staff and students at The Sixth Form Bolton attended the She Inspires Awards 2025 at The Bolton Stadium Hotel hosted by Michelle Eagleton.
For over a decade, the SheInspires Awards has been dedicated to recognising and celebrating the achievements of women from all walks of life. Now in its 11th year, this remarkable initiative continues to highlight the contributions of women locally, nationally, and globally.
Amongst the attendees from The Sixth Form Bolton, there were four finalists: Safa Thagia, a former Sharples School student, Ruby Royce, a former St James's Church England High School student and Riza Patel, a former Essa Academy student were finalists in the Young Achievers Award category. Annabel Jackson, The Sixth Form’s Student Leadership Coordinator, was a finalist in the Rising Star category.
Whilst none of The Sixth Form’s finalists won the Young Achievers Award category, Safa Thagia was delighted to be chosen for the special Power HER Award.
A former Sharples School student, Safa is visually impaired but, despite this challenge, achieved fantastically in her GCSEs and is going from strength to strength at The Sixth Form. Before the awards, Safa said: “Winning would mean the absolute world to me and my whole family! It would be an amazing symbol of all the hard work I’ve put into overcoming my hurdles. It would be my proudest achievement and show other young girls that anything is possible if you work hard to get there.”
When announcing Safa as the winner of the award, the presenter said:
Visually impaired yet fiercely determined, Safa Thagia shines as proof that strength has no limits. Balancing study, volunteering, and advocacy, she turns challenge into courage and dreams into purpose. A young woman with vision beyond sight, Safa inspires others to rise above barriers and believe that with heart and hard work, anything is possible
Safa’s support worker, Gemma Lomax, who accompanied her to the event said:
“I have supported Safa for many years; It has been an honour to watch her grow and achieve so much over the years. It was a real pleasure to attend the awards night with her. I am so proud of Safa, she works extremely hard every day and puts a lot of effort into all her college studies and beyond. I know winning this award has been a fabulous achievement for her. Well done, Safa"
Safa accepting her award
Annabel Jackson, who is the Student Leadership Coordinator and Events & School Engagement Officer at The Sixth Form was delighted to win the Rising Star Award (Local).
As Annabel’s win was announced, the presenter said:
“Bright, determined, and already leading by example, Annabel Jackson turns initiative into impact. At Sixth Form College Bolton, she champions student voice, builds community, and delivers projects with maturity beyond her years. Her curiosity, courage, and kindness inspire peers and staff alike. A rising star whose promise is matched by purpose.”
Annabel was over the moon to win the award saying:
“I’m honoured to receive the She Inspires Rising Star award; the event celebrates inspiring and impactful women, so being recognised alongside them is truly meaningful. Developing the Women into Leadership Programme has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, especially knowing it’s making a real difference for students at The Sixth Form Bolton. Thank you to my colleague, Nick Fisher, who leads the Momentum Programme for our male learners, for nominating me and for his constant support. And well done to our Young Achiever nominees—Ruby, Safa, and Riza; it was heart warming to see how many staff recognised these fantastic young women, with a special congratulations to Safa for winning the Power HER Award.”
Mark Goodwin: Assistant Principal, Student Experience commented:
“Congratulations to Annabel who has certainly deserved this recognition. Annabel has been the driving force behind our Women into Leadership programme, inspiring our female students to develop key skills and gain a greater understanding of what leadership entails. Her positive attitude and supreme organisational skills have resulted in the programme becoming a leading light of The Sixth Form Bolton’s enrichment provision, helping remove barriers for our future leaders.”
Everyone at The Sixth Form Bolton would like to extend their congratulations to all finalists and winners. We can’t wait to follow your journeys further.
Group image of B6 staff and students at She Inspires
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