‘PROGRESS not perfection’ was celebrated at a graduation ceremony for students of a specialist hospitality and catering college in Minehead and held in the town’s Butlin’s holiday resort.

The 32 students graduating from Aurora Foxes Hospitality and Catering College were joined by more than 300 fellow students, teachers, family, and friends to mark the occasion.

Aurora Foxes is a specialist college for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and has a fully operational hotel on the Esplanade, where students gain practical experience in hospitality as well as building the confidence to succeed in future employment.

Principal Mark Costello spoke about the many ‘small moments’ students experience at the college which can instil feelings of confidence, which in turn can lead to independence, and then to opportunity.

Mr Costello said: “The success of our students is built on thousands of moments that often go unseen, like catching a bus independently for the first time, or who finds the confidence to answer the ’phone.

“When I look across this stage today, I do not see perfection.

“I see hundreds of moments like those.

“I see progress.

“That is what we celebrate.”

Guest speaker was Hilton Hotels UK operations manager Esther Brittan, who said it was a privilege to attend the event.

Hilton and Aurora Foxes last year celebrated the 10th anniversary of a partnership that has seen the prestigious hotel chain create work placements and support individuals with learning disabilities to launch successful careers in the company’s hotels.

Mrs Brittan highlighted the many ways Hilton and Aurora Foxes had collaborated during the past year, including co-hosting a recent NATSPEC conference in Birmingham and celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, in March.

She said: “What Hilton and Foxes have is more than a partnership, it is more of a community.

“We see it as an extension of our business.

“Today is not only a celebration of what you have achieved, it is also a celebration of what is to come.

“You are helping create a future where more people can see what is possible.

“Hilton is proud of you and grateful to be part of your journey.”

The partnership this year reached a significant milestone, passing 100 placement opportunities for Foxes students hosted in Hilton hotels across the UK.

They included graduate Hannah, who at Easter was offered work experience doing front of house and room service at DoubleTree by Hilton, at Manchester Airport, and has since been offered a job there.

Hannah said: “The experiences I have had at Aurora Foxes have been remarkable and I am excited about my new job.”

Tribute was paid to Maureen Tyler-Moore, founder of Foxes, who died last December.

Mr Costello said: “The college we know today exists because of her courage, determination, and vision.

“As we celebrate our graduates this morning, we do so with gratitude for everything she created and everything she stood for.”

Hilton London Kensington general manager Patricia Mahon, where three Foxes students work, presented two awards - the Waldorf Hilton Award for Service Excellence and another recognising culinary excellence.