Students of the Year 2025

Bangor University

Jodie Pemberton

We are pleased to nominate Jodie Pemberton, a BSc Woodland Management and Conservation student at Bangor University, for the RFS Student of the Year Prize. During the first two years of the degree, Jodie has shown strong academic ability and initiative, particularly through her excellent dissertation proposal, Naturalisation and Native Identity in a Changing Climate: A Comparative Analysis of Fagus sylvatica in UK Woodlands. Her project will examine the health, regeneration, and ecological role of F. sylvatica in both southern England and north Wales, assessing its suitability for future woodland restoration in a changing climate. Jodie’s thoughtful approach to her studies and clear understanding of current challenges in woodland management make her a worthy nominee.

Cumbria University

Benedict Rhodes

B.Sc. (Hons.) Woodland Ecology & Conservation. I’m delighted to recommend Benedict as RFS Student of the Year in Woodland Ecology & Conservation. Benedict is inquisitive by nature, and having changed career to pursue this degree, has impressed through his keen interest in gaining knowledge in woodland ecology and conservation. Benedict has shown persistence, determination and dedication to his studies over the course of his degree, and in particular produced an outstanding final-year Forest Plan. His honours’ research dissertation is of high quality, drawing clear conclusions on the detrimental effects of ash die-back for epiphyte habitat in hedgerow ash trees.
Benedict has served as student representative of his cohort through the three years of his degree, being an active member of the student body and leading voice among the community of forestry students on campus in Ambleside. He has participated fully in the opportunities for engagement, being prominently involved in our research seminars and enhancement activities. Taken together these qualities have made him a real asset to our forestry programmes.

Tom Fowler

B.Sc. (Hons.) Forest Management with Sandwich Placement. Tom is an exemplary student who has produced consistently excellent work across all modules throughout the entire course of his degree. Returning for his final year in Ambleside from a successful sandwich placement with Natural Resources Wales, Tom has excelled in his academic work, submitting reports and write ups in assignments of sustained high quality. Tom has been a personable and thoughtful student, highly engaged in all of his modules and popular among staff and students alike. Tom has shown particular dedication to his dissertation work, surveying the potential barriers to active woodland management among private landowners in England. As a result, he has written a well-crafted dissertation, produced with excellent attention to detail and presenting a comprehensive assessment of possible impediments to better uptake of existing grant schemes and ways to improve this in the future. He is an outstanding Student of the Year in Forest Management.

Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BiFoR)

Savannah Ridge

Savannah Ridge is a final year Environmental Science student at the University of Birmingham, with a keen interest in freshwater ecosystems, conservation and environmental pollution. She is an avid BIFoR and Climate Ed volunteer, and is currently developing a wetland which will be embedded within a school’s educational curriculum through a placement with Warm Earth and Windsor Academy. Alongside her studies, she has been an incredible BIFoR volunteer, supporting with our education efforts, trying to inspire our future forest researchers and plant scientists.

BiFOR Learning and Engagement Lead, Dr Samantha Dobbie, said:

“Savannah Ridge has been an incredible BIFoR volunteer throughout her degree, and this year carried out a dissertation project entitled: Impact of Hemp shives and Pine Bark Compost as Organic Amendments on Heavy Metal accumulation during Phytoextraction with Helinathus Annuus”. The project explored whether adding natural materials like hemp shives or pine bark compost to heavy metal contaminated soil can help improve sunflowers in cleaning up these pollutants —while simultaneously supporting their growth and overall health. As a resul of her efforts, Savannah received the award for the highest dissertation grade in her year.”

Hill Holt Wood

Haidon Abbot

Haidon has, over the course of the past 2 academic years developed into a very mature and bright young man. When he first began attending College, Haidon was quiet and reserved. Since that time, however, Haidon has repeatedly volunteered to assist with various tasks (primarily physical tasks relating to his course subject, this being Horticulture) and has improved significantly in terms of his academic attainment. He produces very neat and detailed written work where once upon a time that would simply not happen, and is extremely polite and considerate, especially towards staff and his fellow peers alike. I see a bright future ahead for Haidon, who continually performs well and has a large amount of personal drive and a desire to learn more and develop his skills further. He has been a joy and a pleasure to teach, and it has been refreshing to see the outstanding progress he has made.

Capel Manor College

Louis Sparks

I am nominating Louis for the RFS Arboriculture Student of the Year award. Despite jumping straight to Level 2 and facing challenges with written work, he has worked hard to overcome these obstacles. He is young but very capable and dedicated. Louis has developed close friendships during the course, which can be distracting, but he has managed to maintain focus on his studies. He was particularly nervous about the felling unit but persevered and achieved a good result. In a class with several outstanding learners, Louis stands out as the deserving winner due to his hard work, capability, and perseverance.

Hussain Saili

I am nominating Hussain for the RFS Arboriculture Student of the Year award. As a mature learner new to this industry, he has faced the challenge of working with younger peers, demonstrating patience and support. He consistently asks insightful questions and remains highly engaged. Despite the personal challenge of losing a close family member, Hussain has continued his studies with determination. He is on track to achieve highly and performed remarkably well during his work placement, showing adaptability and perseverance

Marcus Sayers

I am nominating Marcus for the RFS Arboriculture Student of the Year award due to his exceptional dedication and enthusiasm for arboriculture. As a first-year learner, he has consistently shown great interest in the subject, actively participating in both practical and theoretical lessons, and asking insightful questions. Despite the challenges of fitting in at his age, Marcus has remained focused and engaged, setting an example for his peers. He is also supportive of his classmates, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Royal Agricultural University

George Haynes

George was an outstanding student in the forestry module Forestry and Woodland Management taught at the RAU in the autumn of 2024. George produced a portfolio of work and a Woodland Management Plan of a very high calibre. George engaged actively in all seminars and was clearly inspired by many of the professionals who contributed to the module, conversing with them well after the sessions ended.

Sparsholt College

Callum Watson

Callum has returned to Further Education as a student after changing careers, having previously studied in Outdoor Education. Callum is a mature student that has had to juggle working and studying. Callum always puts 100% effort into everything he does. His work is always in before the deadline and completed to a high standard. Callum is a very selfless person and will actively encourage his peers to participate in practicals. Callum is hoping to further his knowledge and skills by moving onto Higher Education in September at the University of Cumbria. Callum is a very helpful, organised and polite individual who will grab opportunities with both hands and get stuck in. Another very worthy nominee.

Glynllifon

Sarah Williams

Most Improved Student. Sarah has improved so much over the last two years at Glynllifon, on top of the L3 in Forestry and Arboriculture, Sarah has completed short courses in First Aid, Chipper, Chainsaw and brushcutter. Sarah has given her best at all tasks given in class and during practical sessions. Volunteering for the National Trust at Plas Newydd in Anglesey during her spare time to gain further experience and improve her skills shows how eager Sarah is to learn about the industry.

Read more: 

• Students of the Year 2024
• Promising student awarded by the RFS Herefordshire division
• Student Awards