ABUDDING entrepreneur is celebrating after winning a national education award.

Lily Mann, a Year 13 pupil at Bromfords School, in Grange Avenue, Wickford, fought off tough competition to be crowned Business Student of the Year at the National BTEC Awards.

Pearson, the organisation which runs the vocational qualification, received more than 800 nominations across 20 categories.

Ahead of the awards ceremony at London's Royal Horticultural Halls, the winners, their family, friends, and people who nominated them attended a reception in the House of Commons.

Lily, 18, is studying for a Level 3 BTEC diploma in business, alongside a Level 3 BTEC national subsidiary diploma in ICT and an A-level in economics.

She is set to go to university to study a degree in Business and Law.

Described by tutors as an “exemplary student who produces work that is thoughtful, well-researched and highly evaluative”, Lily is on track to achieve a distinction in all of her BTEC units.

She has also dedicated her free time to helping younger students, and hosting charity events within her school and community.

Lily said: "I am thrilled to win this award. My BTEC has helped me understand so much about business.

“It has also given me more self-confidence, as well as the determination, motivation and the desire to accomplish my ambition of becoming a successful businesswoman.”

The judges praised her hard work, passion and determination and said she was a worthy winner. with a bright and successful future.

Mark Anderson, managing director of Pearson, said: “The awards are an opportunity for us to shout from the rooftops not just about the winners, but also about the achievements of BTEC students, apprentices, teachers, schools, colleges and training providers up and down the country.

“At a time when the value of vocational learning at school and college is continuing to be robustly debated, we believe the example set by these award winners is part of a growing body of evidence that clearly demonstrates their valuable contribution to both the education system and the broader economy.

“It is vital to support and celebrate the hard work and achievements of outstanding BTEC students and their teachers.

“This year’s judges were impressed by the quality and number of nominations we received, but Lily really stood out as a truly exceptional student.”