AoC Beacon Awards - Celebrating Excellence in FE Colleges

“Receiving each Award was a source of
tremendous satisfaction and pride for all staff
and students involved and an impetus to continue
to strive for excellence.”
Coleg Gorseinon

“The Award has raised the profile of the College in the FE sector
and enabled the further development of project partnerships
with professional practitioners, employers and sector colleges.
The project work through these working partnerships continues to
develop with students being able to widen their experience through
community project work, working alongside students from
other colleges …”
National Star College

“The Beacon Award programme provides colleges with a valuable
framework for the development and subsequent recognition of new
approaches to supporting our learners.”
Nelson and Colne College

“Warmest thanks to all those colleges that contributed material
towards the production of this brochure. Unfortunately we were
unable to use all of the items submitted, but they will be kept on
file and may be used in future as examples of the way in which
UK colleges are liberating the talents of learners in every
region and in every age group.”

AoC Beacon Awards –
Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence
Foreward by the Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP
Secretary of State for Education and Employment

I am delighted to provide a foreward to this document which celebrates the
achievements of all those colleges that have won Beacon Awards since 1994.
The Beacon Awards have now firmly established themselves as a quality mark
for the sector, highlighting the exceptional and remarkable ways in which
colleges have developed provision to enhance and enrich the experience of
their learners.

The statistics speak for themselves; since 1994 there have been nearly 2,850
applications for just over 250 Awards. Across the whole of the UK, 443 colleges Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP

have applied, over half of whom have been shortlisted and around 140 have
ultimately gone on to win. This in itself not only demonstrates the huge
popularity of the Awards, but also reflects how much excellent work goes
on in colleges.

It almost goes without saying that the winning colleges should be rightly
proud of their achievement in reaching the Beacon Award standard. Not only
are they being recognised for exemplary and sometimes innovative work, but
they are also fuelling curriculum development across the sector as other
colleges learn more about the winning projects.

I fully endorse the Beacon Awards scheme as one which not only helps to raise
the profile of colleges in the further education sector, but also assists the UK as
a whole by providing an increasingly skilled workforce thus ensuring that we
continue to be one of the world’s leading economic countries.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank each of the 60 sponsors who
have supported the Beacon Awards over the years. The partnerships you are
helping to establish between the business community and the education sector
at a local, regional and national level have a hugely beneficial affect on all our
post-16 learners.

Finally, I should like to thank the Association of Colleges for administering this
scheme and for everyone involved in maintaining the high regard in which it is
held; including the Chair and members of the Beacon Awards Steering Group,
the Assessors, the President and Trustees of the AoC Charitable Trust and the
team within the Trust that oversees the day-to-day running of the Awards.

AoC Beacon Awards 1994/95 – 2003/04 ■ 1

AoC Charitable Trust
Samantha Boggia . . . . . . . . . . . . Work Shadowing Manager,
Dr John Brennan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Executive, AoC, Trustee
Peter Brophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Finance and Administration,
AoC, Trustee
Sue Dutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deputy Chief Executive, AoC, Trustee
Julie Mellor
Chair of Equal Opportunities Commission Anna Gillespie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work Shadowing Co-ordinator,
President, AoC Charitable Trust
Julie Mellor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chair, Equal Opportunities Commission,
President
Margaret Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . Chair, AoC, Trustee
Judith Norrington . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Learning and Quality, AoC, Trustee
Debra Stych . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk to the Board, AoC
Alice Thiagaraj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manager, AoC Charitable Trust, Trustee
Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb . . Chair, Beacon Awards

Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb
Chair
Beacon Awards
AoC Beacon Awards Steering
Group as at November 2004
Mary Bennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Director –
Vocational Assessment, OCR
Samantha Boggia . . . . . . . . . . . . Work Shadowing Manager,
Ahmed Choonara . . . . . . . . . . . . Representative, Network for Black Managers
Ngaio Crequer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FE Focus, TES
Brenig Davies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Principal, Coleg Morgannwg –
Dr John Brennan
Chief Executive of AoC Wales Representative
Trustee
Sue Dutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deputy Chief Executive, AoC
Olivia Farnesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corporate Communications Manager –
Learning, LSC
Phil Kilby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head of Public Sector Charities Team,
Allied Irish Bank (GB)
Wilbert McKee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deputy Director, Upper Bann Institute of
F&HE – Northern Ireland Representative
Judith Norrington . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Learning and Quality, AoC
Sally-Ann Saull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing Manager – Lifelong Learning and
HE Division, RM plc
Alice Thiagaraj
Manager, AoC Charitable Trust Andrew Sich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head of Corporate Affairs, City & Guilds
Trustee
Debra Stych . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk to the Board, AoC
Alice Thiagaraj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manager, AoC Charitable Trust
Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb . . Chair, Beacon Awards

2 ■ AoC Beacon Awards 1994/95 – 2003/04

AoC Beacon Awards - A History
The Beacon Awards programme was established in 1994 under the auspices of
the then Association for Colleges, at the suggestion of The Partnership Trust. The
Partnership Trust had established a similar awards programme for the higher
education sector, and following the incorporation of further education colleges,
wished to establish an awards programme for the further education sector. A
feasibility study was carried out and in 1994 the Beacon Awards were born.

The AoC Beacon Awards were set up to recognise and reward outstanding and
exemplary teaching and learning practice in further education colleges. The
Awards started with just six sponsors in their first year, offering the 13 Awards
that were given. A total of 101 applications were received from 61 colleges and
the winners were announced at the Annual Conference in Edinburgh. It now
regularly attracts over 300 applications a year for around 20-30 Awards.

The Awards have been overseen since their inception by a Steering Group and,
for the first 10 years of their operation, this was chaired by Geoff Melling.
Geoff was a Trustee of the Partnership Trust and later became Director of AoC
London Region. Geoff put a tremendous amount of energy and dedication into
the development of the Beacon Awards and his contribution helped to firmly
establish the Awards as the respected means for recognising the commitment to
learners and outstanding achievements of the further education sector.

It was a stipulation of the Partnership Trust that the Awards should be open to
all further education, sixth form, specialist, agricultural and art, design and
performing arts colleges from across the whole of the UK, irrespective of
membership of the Association. Applications have been received from Thurso
College in the north of Scotland to Penwith College in Penzance and from
Pembrokeshire and Fermanagh Colleges to the west in Wales and Northern
Ireland to Great Yarmouth in the east.

The winning projects over the years have been as diverse as the sector; for
example, a project to build a hovercraft, a peer education project to promote
health and raise awareness of health issues, a range of courses built on the
ideas of the Agenda 21 papers from the Rio Earth Summit, a tutor training
project for deaf people and a project to prepare young people for entry into a
variety of service industry posts such as retail assistants, resort representatives
and cabin crew.

The range of organisations that colleges are working with to enhance learners’
experiences is breathtaking – partnerships with local police, agricultural and
horticultural bodies, overseas partners, car manufacturers, ship builders, local
businesses, the NHS, awarding bodies, schools, universities, other colleges,
LEAs, arts centres, shopping centres, broadcasters and national newspapers to
name but a few.

As the AoC Beacon Awards enter their second decade, the AoC Charitable
Trust and the Steering Group will continue to ensure the ongoing development
of the awards to reflect the ever changing needs of the sector and of the UK as
a whole.


AoC Beacon Award Winning
Colleges 1994/95 – 2003/04
“The annual publication of the profiles of the Aberdeen Aon Award for Lifetime Learning 1996/7
winning projects is particularly helpful. AQA Award for College/School Partnerships 2001/2
These demonstrate both the overall quality of Allied Irish Bank Award for College/Foyer 2003/4
further education provision throughout the Partnerships
UK and also let us see the good practice Accrington Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 1997/8
developed by others, giving us a reference & Rossendale Community Care
point to pursue developments with Amersham Basic Skills Agency Award for ESOL/EAL 2001/2
colleagues.” & Wycombe
Aberdeen College
Barking Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Skills 1998/9
Barnet City & Guilds Award for Health and Community Care 1995/6
Barnfield Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 2003/4
Barnsley Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry and Physics 1995/6
EMTA Award for Modern Apprenticeships 1997/8
in Engineering
TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 1998/9
CITB-ConstructionSkills Award for Construction 2001/2
Basingstoke TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 2002/3
Bede Partnership Trust Award for Combined, General or 1999/0
Vocational Science
Partnership Trust Award for Biology, Botany or Zoology 2001/2
“(winning the ESOL Award) has raised Bedford AQA Award for College/School Partnerships 2002/3
students’ self-esteem and engendered a sense Belfast Institute Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT to Enhance 2002/3
of pride in their being part of a successful Teaching and Support Learning
team. It has also helped boost enrolments and FENC Award for Blended Learning 2003/4
expand our curriculum offer.” MENCAP and RNIB Award for Students with Learning 2003/4
Amersham and Wycombe College Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Bell Becta Award for IT to Support Learning 1995/6
Beverley NEBOSH Award for Teaching Programmes 2001/2
“Tyne Tees Television included an item on the in Occupational Health, Safety and
Award … Following the tremendous success Environmental Management
of the Biology Department, Bede College has Blackpool & Eversheds Award for New Deal Provision 1999/0
been flooded with requests from colleges all The Fylde Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending 2002/3
over the country … all wanting to know more Participation in Basic Skills
about how to liven up their lessons.”
LSC Award for Equality and Diversity 2003/4
Bede College
Blackpool Sixth Edexcel Foundation Award for English, Social Studies 1999/0
Form and the Humanities
Boston AQA Award for College/School Partnerships 2003/4
Bournemouth City & Guilds Award for Hospitality and Catering 1999/0
& Poole LSDA Award for Quality in Staff Development for the 2000/1
Application of ILT
Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 2002/3
Bournville BT Award for Distance Learning 1998/9
NCFE Award for Foreign Language Teaching 1999/0
Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable 2001/2
Skills for Industry
Bridgend BT Award for Distance Learning 1995/6
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Community Action Award 1998/9
Bridgwater Professor John Tomlinson Award for Inclusive Learning 1998/9
(sponsored by NIACE, LSDA and MENCAP)
AQA Award for College/School Partnerships 2000/1
LSC Award for Delivery to Meet Specific 2001/2
Employer Needs
“Award money has been used to gain a deeper LSC Award for Innovation in Improving Quality 2002/3
understanding of school issues and identify and Standards
new ways of teaching and learning, allowing TES/AoC Award for Staff Development 2002/3
the College to develop more vocational Broxtowe British Council Award for International Student Support 1998/9
programmes and make a huge difference to British Council Award for International Student Support 2003/4
many students.” Bury LSDA Award for Staff Development in ILT 1998/9
Bedford College Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning 2002/3


Cardonald United Biscuits Award for Work Related 1999/0
‘Applied’ Education
CLA Award for Encouraging Creativity through 2003/4
Copyright (with SFEU)
Chesterfield Post Office Award for Special Needs Provision and 1994/5
Basic Literacy
Post Office Award for Learning Difficulties 1996/7
Chichester British Council Award for International Student 1999/0
Support
British Council (ECS)/Chartered Institute of Marketing 2001/2
Award for International Marketing
Christ the King BT Award for Distance Learning in the Provision of A 1999/0
Levels and GNVQs
Cirencester United Biscuits Award for Work Related 1998/9
‘Applied’ Education
City College ABC Award for Counselling Education 2000/1 “The impact upon our students of this
Manchester BTI Award for International VET Projects 2000/1 continuing project and the recognition of the
City of Bath Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 2001/2 project afforded by the achievement of the
City of Bristol EMTA Award for Contributions to Modern 1998/9 Beacon Award, has proved to be very
Apprenticeships in Engineering significant. The project … plays a major role
NCFE Award for Foreign Language Teaching 1998/9 in increasing social awareness and cultural
NACETT Award for Delivery to meet Specific 1999/0 diversity.”
Employer Needs City of Bath College
Clackmannan CITB-ConstructionSkills Award for Construction 2003/4
Coleg Gorseinon Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for the 1999/0
Performing Arts
Partnership Trust Award for Science and Mathematics 2003/4
Coleg Llandrillo Edexcel Award for Art and Design 1995/6
LSDA Award for Staff Development in ILT 1997/8
Professor John Tomlinson Award for Inclusive Learning 1998/9
(sponsored by NIACE, LSDA and MENCAP)
Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable Skills 2000/1
for Industry
Eversheds Award for New Deal Provision 2002/3
City & Guilds Award for Teaching IT 2003/4
Coleg Menai BBC Education Award for the use of Television, Video 2000/1
& Audio Media in the Delivery of Distance Learning “The Beacon Awards offer Coleg Llandrillo
Coleg Morgannwg Post Office Award for Special Needs 1995/6 the opportunity of taking part in a UK
BBC Education Award for Technology to 1997/8 competition. It reflects extremely well on staff
Enhance Learning and students to win an Award and is a way of
Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Skills 1997/8 highlighting that you are amongst the best in
Becta Award for IT to Support Effective Learning 1997/8 the UK. This gives everyone involved a great
Edexcel Award for Engineering 2000/1 sense of pride and achievement.”
Coleg Llandrillo
Coleg Sir Gâr OCR Award for NVQs for Business 1998/9
FENC/LBCNC Award for Land-based Industries 1999/0
Professor John Tomlinson Award for Students with 2000/1
Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (Sponsored by
NIACE, LSDA and MENCAP)
OCR Award for NVQs for Business 2000/1
LSDA Award for e-Learning 2001/2
Cornwall LSDA Award for College/Employer Partnerships 2002/3
Darlington OCR Award for Delivering Business Excellence through 2002/3
FE Collaboration
Deeside TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 1997/8
Becta Award for using ILCT to Support Effective 1999/0
Teaching and Learning
LSDA Award for College/Employer Partnerships 2000/1
Derby TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 1999/0
“The Beacon Award was a clear advantage in
BT Award for Lifelong Learning 2000/1
the college gaining full status as a Centre of
FENC Award for the Effective Integration of Flexible 2001/2 Vocational Excellence in Digital Media
Learning and ILT (Production and Design) and in forming other
City & Guilds Award for Teaching IT 2002/3 valuable industry partnerships.”
Darlington College of Technology


Dewsbury Partnership Trust Award for Mathematics 1996/7
Partnership Trust Award for Combined or 1997/8
General Science
Dudley CITB-ConstructionSkills Award for Construction 1999/0
British Council Award for International Student Support 2000/1
British Council/Chartered Institute of Marketing 2000/1
Award for International Marketing
Partnership Trust Award for Numeracy 2002/3
and Mathematics
Dundee BT Award for Distance Learning 1995/6
Gardner Merchant Award for Environmental Health 1995/6
in Catering
Dunstable Churches’ Award for Sustainable 1999/0
“We are quadruple Beacon Award winners at Community Development
Dudley College … The winning of the East Surrey United Biscuits Award for Work Related 1997/8
prestigious awards led to a high profile ‘Applied’ Education
dissemination conference held at and hosted Fermanagh FENC Award for the Effective Integration of ILT-based 2002/3
by the college to other providers in the Further Learning Resources into Lesson Plans
and Higher Education sector”
Filton NACETT Award for Delivery to meet Specific 1999/0
Dudley College
Employer Needs
Gateshead Post Office Award for Special Needs 1995/6
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Community Action Award 1997/8
Greenhead Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry and Physics 1996/7
Partnership Trust Award for Biology, Botany or Zoology 1996/7
AQA Award for Business Studies 1999/0
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for Colleges Encouraging 2000/1
“The recognition that Beacon Award status Good Citizenship
brought has been key in allowing the College
Greenwich LSDA Award for College/Employer Partnerships 2002/3
to promote good practice with respect to work
Community
with the long-term unemployed.”
Grimsby BT Award for Distance Learning 1995/6
Hartlepool College of Further Education
BBC Award for Learning with the Media 2001/2
Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning 2003/4
Gwent Tertiary Post Office Award for Special Needs Provision and 1994/5
Basic Literacy
Halton Becta Award for Using IT to support Effective Learning 1994/5
BBC Education Award for Multimedia to 1996/7
Enhance Learning
“All the staff of the College and the London
BT Award for Distance Learning 1996/7
Leisure College are proud to have the
City & Guilds Award for Land-based Industries 1997/8
opportunity to showcase the quality and
breadth of our work and for it to be recognised Kidsons Impey Award for Finance and 1997/8
via these prestigious awards given annually Business Teaching
by the AoC. It represents a quality standard Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry and Physics 1997/8
marker to both our colleagues in education OCR Award for NVQs for Business 1999/0
and to those in the wider world showing that Harrow City & Guilds Award for Health and Community Care 1996/7
our partnership working results in an offer of Hartlepool Eversheds Award for New Deal Provision 2001/2
the best industry linked training available.” Hereward Post Office Award for Learning Difficulties 1996/7
Greenwich Community College Highbury, NEBOSH Award for Teaching Programmes 2003/4
Portsmouth in Occupational Health, Safety and
Environmental Management
Hugh Baird Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 1999/0
Community Care
Hull BT Award for Distance Learning 1994/5
CITB-ConstructionSkills Award for Construction 2002/3
“Celebrating our success with our learners, LSC Award for College Engagement with Employers 2003/4
staff, employers and the local community has Jewel & Esk Valley Post Office Award for Special Needs Provision and 1994/5
helped us reinforce the value of learning, Basic Literacy
achievement and excellence in all of our John Leggott British Council Award for International Student Support 2002/3
partners. It has instilled a sense of pride in John Ruskin City & Guilds Award for Health and Community Care 1996/7
the College and spurred us on to greater Joseph Chamberlain Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 2001/2
efforts and challenges.” Community Care
Hull College King Edward VI IFA Award for Finance and Business Studies 2002/3
Stourbridge
King George V Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry or Physics 1998/9
Kingston Edexcel Award for English, Social Studies, Foreign 2000/1
Languages and the Humanities
Partnership Trust Award for Mathematics 2001/2


Lambeth Becta Award for using ILCT to Support Effective 2001/2
Teaching and Learning
Leicester Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending Participation 2001/2
in Basic Skills
Lewisham Partnership Trust Award for Initiatives in Education for 1994/5
the Health Service and Care Occupations
Whitbread Award for Hospitality and Catering 1996/7
Eversheds Award for New Deal Provision 2000/1
Lincoln City & Guilds Award for Teaching IT 2001/2
Liverpool Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Literacy 1996/7
Community
Loreto Churches’ Award for Sustainable Community 2001/2
Development
LSC Award for Improving Quality and Standards 2002/3
Matthew Boulton Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 2002/3
Community Care
Mid Kent Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable Skills 1999/0
for Industry “The learners have benefited from the honour
National Star Centre Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 2002/3 of achieving the Beacon Award through the
Nelson & Colne BT Award for Distance Learning 1994/5 enhanced profile of this area of learning and
FENC Award for the Effective Integration of Resource 1999/0 the continued commitment and support of the
Based Learning and ILT College and partner organisations … the
CoLRiC Award for the Effective Integration of 2003/4 (award) has given the instructors team
Libraries/LRC in Curriculum Delivery recognition and credibility for the professional
New College Post Office Award for Inclusive Learning 1997/8 support provided for the community…”
Nottingham Aon Award for Adult Lifetime Learning 1998/9 Lincoln College
New College Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable Skills 1997/8
Swindon Partnership Trust Award for Mathematics 2000/1
Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry or Physics 2001/2
Newark & FENC Award for the Effective Integration of Resource 2000/1
Sherwood Based Learning and ILT
“These awards have helped build a reputation
CoLRiC Award for Effective Integration of 2001/2 for the college by giving recognition to some
Libraries/LRCs in Curriculum Delivery outstanding work undertaken by staff with
Newcastle under Partnership Trust Award for Biology, Botany 1995/6 students and others in the local community…
Lyme or Zoology our five Beacon Awards have provided
Newham Sixth Form Edexcel Award for Art and Design 1997/8 recognition for innovation and good practice,
LSDA Award for Employer Partnerships 1998/9 helping the college achieve and often excel in
Partnership Trust Award for Combined, General or 1998/9 all aspects of its mission.”
Vocational Science Newham Sixth Form College
Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 2000/1
Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for the 2000/1
Performing Arts
North East Institute BBC Award for the use of Television, Video & Audio 1999/0
Media in the Delivery of Distance Learning
Becta Award for using ILCT to Support Effective 2000/1 “In 1996 the mechanical section of the North
Teaching and Learning East Institute of F&HE was at the point of
North West TES/AoC Award for Staff Development 2001/2 shutdown. Many factors, including a new
Consortium programme manager, dedicated and highly
North West Institute Peugeot Award for Initiatives in Engineering Education 1994/5 motivated staff, a desire to introduce new and
Northumberland Aon Award for Adult Lifetime Learning 1999/0 up-to-date curriculum and working practices
Oaklands City & Guilds Award for Vocational 1994/5 and a focus to deal directly with the
Engineering Education manufacturing industries brought about a
change that has seen the section go from
Professor John Tomlinson Award for Inclusive 1999/0
strength to strength. Part of this has included
Learning for Adults with Profound or Multiple
the winning two Beacon Awards that have
Learning Difficulties (Sponsored by NIACE, LSDA
served to promote the section and encourage
and MENCAP)
the staff and students to greater things.”
Oldham, The Commission for Black Staff in FE and Network for 2003/4 North East Institute of F+HE
Black Managers Award for Promoting Race Equality
Otley Trident Feeds Award for Animal Husbandry 1995/6
Park Lane BT Award for Distance Learning 1997/8
City & Guilds Award for Hospitality and Catering 1998/9


The AoC Beacon Awards 2004-2005 Win
Announced at the AoC Annual Conference

The CITB-ConstructionSkills Award The ELWa Award for College Engagement
The AQA Award for College/School for Construction with Employers
Partnerships Award Winner Award Winner
College of North West London Pembrokeshire College
Award Winner
Stanmore College FE Corporation
Highly Commended
Bury College

The FENC Award for Blended Learning
Award Winner
The Sheffield College

The Allied Irish Bank Award for The Churches’ Award for Sustainable
College/Foyer Partnerships Community Development
Award Winner Joint Award Winners The Jardine Lloyd Thompson Healthcare
Newham College of Further Education North Devon College Award for Health and Community Care
Northern College for Adult Residential Award Winner
Education Bridgwater College
Highly Commended
Aberdeen College
Merton College
The Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT
to Enhance Teaching and Support Learning
Award Winner The City & Guilds Award for the Teaching of IT
West Nottinghamshire College Award Winner
Highly Commended Grimsby Institute of F&HE
Oldham Sixth Form College The Learning + Skills Council Award for
College Engagement with Employers
Joint Award Winners
Cornwall College
The Commission for Black Staff in FE and
Newham College of FE
Network for Black Managers Award for
Highly Commended
Promoting Race Equality
Manchester College of Arts and
Award Winner
The Basic Skills Agency Award for ESOL Technology
Hackney Community College
Award Winner The Learning + Skills Council Award for
Highly Commended
Newcastle College Equality and Diversity
South Birmingham College
Highly Commended Award Winner
Exeter College College of North West London
South Thames College

The Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending
Participation in Basic Skills The Department for Employment and The MENCAP and RNIB Award for Students
Award Winner Learning Award for College Engagement with with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Grantham College Employers Joint Award Winners
Highly Commended Award Winner Alton College
Boston College Newry and Kilkeel Institute of F&HE College of North West London
Highly Commended
East Down Institute of F&HE

The British Council Award for International The NEBOSH Award for Teaching
Student Support The Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning Programmes in Occupational Health, Safety
Award Winner Award Winner and Environmental Management
Bournemouth and Poole College Havering College of F&HE Award Winner
Highly Commended Highly Commended Cornwall College
Aberdeen College Coleg Sir Gâr Highly Commended
Tameside College Warwickshire College


Winning and Highly Commended Colleges
e at a reception sponsored by The Guardian
The following colleges are congratulated The following bodies have given
for reaching the shortlisting stage for the invaluable support to the Programme in
following Awards, the assessors have 2004-2005 which is greatly appreciated:
commented on the high standard of all
the shortlisted colleges and have greatly
The OCR Award for Basic Skills in the enjoyed visiting them.
Workplace Aberdeen College
Award Winner TES/AoC Award for Staff Development
Cornwall College Armagh College
Highly Commended FENC Award for Blended Learning
Totton College
Basingstoke College of Technology
OCR Award for Partnerships in
Basic Skills
Bury College
City & Guilds Award for the Teaching
The Protocol Professional Award for of IT
Art and Design Coleg Menai
Award Winner ELWa Award for College Engagement
Yale College with Employers
Highly Commended Coleg Sir Gâr
Aberdeen College CITB-ConstructionSkills Award
Cleveland College of Art and Design for Construction
Coleg Morgannwg
Cornwall College
AQA Award for College/School
Partnerships
Deeside College
ELWa Award for College Engagement
The RM Award for Leadership in Learning with Employers
Award Winner FE Reprographic Managers’ Forum
National Star College (represented by Barnet College)
Highly Commended CLA Award for Encouraging Creativity
Brockenhurst College through Copyright
Highlands College
Grimsby Institute of F&HE
Commission for Black Staff in
FE/Network for Black Managers Award
for Promoting Race Equality
Myerscough College
Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT to
The TES/AoC Award for Staff Development
Enhance Teaching and Support Learning
Award Winner
Coleg Menai New College Durham
Highly Commended TES/AoC Award for Staff Development
Bournville College of FE North West Institute of F&HE
AQA Award for College/School
The TES/AoC Award for Widening Partnerships
Participation Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Award Winner RM Award for Leadership in Learning
Chichester College South Cheshire College
Highly Commended Churches’ Award for Sustainable
City of Bristol College Community Development
Huntingdonshire Regional College Tresham Institute
Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT to
Enhance Teaching and Support Learning
Weston College
Ufi/learndirect Award for Delivering
The Ufi/learndirect Award for Delivering Learning through learndirect Centres in
Learning through learndirect Centres in Colleges
Colleges Weymouth College
Award Winner British Council Award for International
Lincoln College Student Support


Pembrokeshire British Council Award for International 2001/2
Student Support
Partnership Trust Award for Life Science 2002/3
TES/AoC Award for Staff Development 2003/4
Pendleton Basic Skills Agency Award for ESOL 2003/4
Plymouth BT Award for Distance Learning 1995/6
Edexcel Award for Engineering 1996/7
United Biscuits Award for Applied Education 1996/7
LSDA Award for Employer Partnerships 1997/8
Partnership Trust Award for Biology, Botany 1998/9
or Zoology
Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry or Physics 1999/0
Allied Irish Bank Award for College/ 2002/3
“The annual Beacon brochure is carefully Foyer Partnerships
scrutinised by the managers and various LSC Award for High Performance in Equality 2002/3
projects are highlighted for future Beacon and Diversity
consideration, sometimes two or three years in Preston Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 2000/1
advance… Success in the Beacon process Community Care
definitely contributes to the impetus for higher CITB-ConstructionSkills Award for Construction 2000/1
quality, to staff satisfaction and to the Queen Elizabeth Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable Skills 1998/9
ultimate benefits of students.” Sixth Form
Pembrokeshire College Reading BT Award for Distance Learning 1994/5
Richard Huish Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for the 2001/2
Performing Arts
Richmond upon Aon Award for Adult Lifetime Learning 1997/8
Thames
Royal Forest of Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending Participation 1999/0
Dean in Basic Skills
Runshaw AQA Award for Finance and Business 1998/9
Partnership Trust Award for Biology, Botany 1999/0
or Zoology
IFA Award for Finance and Business Studies 2001/2
Salisbury ABC Award for Counselling Education 2001/2
Sandwell IFA Award for Finance and Business Studies 2000/1
Sheffield, The LSDA Award for e-Learning 2002/3
“The Award has acted as a spring board
developing relationships with Arts providers Sixth Form Partnership Trust Award for Mathematics 1998/9
and has enabled the College to develop a Farnborough Partnership Trust Award for Chemistry or Physics 2000/1
business plan launching a recording label Partnership Trust Award for Physical Sciences 2002/3
promoting College and local bands. The Skelmersdale NACETT Award for Delivery to Meet Specific 2000/1
quality of our work is now recognised at Employer Needs
National level and has helped put Richard Solihull OCR Award for Business Studies 1996/7
Huish College forward as a centre of OCR Award for Basic Skills in the Workplace 2003/4
excellence for the performing arts.” Somerset LSC Award for Delivery to meet Specific 2001/2
Richard Huish College Employer Needs
Soundwell NACETT Award for Delivery to meet Specific 1999/0
Employer Needs
South Birmingham Basic Skills Agency Award for English as an Additional 1999/0
Language
CLA Award for Encouraging Creativity 2002/3
through Copyright
South East Essex Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Skills 1997/8
South Trafford City & Guilds Award for Hospitality and Catering 2000/1
Southend Adult Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending Participation 2003/4
Community in Basic Skills
Southgate Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning 2001/2
“Following on from its Beacon Award, the Southwark Protocol Professional Award for Art and Design 1998/9
College was also awarded a CoVE for Stoke on Trent Partnership Trust Award for Combined or 1996/7
hospitality and catering in 2003 and recently General Science
launched a new £3.5m Hospitality and FENC and LBCNC Award for Land-based Industries 1998/9
Tourism building together with a and Associated Programmes
contemporary public restaurant, Aspire Basic Skills Agency Award for Extending Participation 2000/1
Restaurant Bar. The restaurant has recently in Basic Skills
achieved Northern College Restaurant of the Churches’ Award for Sustainable 2000/1
Year status by industry publication, Community Development
Restaurant Magazine.” Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 2003/4
South Trafford College Community Care


Strode Edexcel Award for English, Social Studies 1998/9
and the Humanities
Churches’ Award for Sustainable 2002/3 “Sharing good practice with other colleges has
Community Development been hugely rewarding and we have
Marks & Spencer Award for Transferable Skills 2002/3 established on-going partnerships.
for Industry Dissemination activities and collaboration
Swansea LSDA Award for Staff Development in ILT 1999/0 work have been encouraged both within other
Tameside OCR Award for Business Studies 1995/6 areas of the College and with colleges locally,
OCR Award for Business Management 1997/8 regionally and nationally.”
Telford College of Arts and Technology
Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT to Enhance 2002/3
Teaching and Support Learning
Telford City & Guilds Award for Vocational 1994/5
Engineering Education “The Welcome to Leeds project … was a
EMTA Award for Engineering 1995/6 response to the locally identified need to
City & Guilds Award for Health and Community Care 1995/6 provide a more holistic and supportive
Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Literacy 1996/7 approach to working with asylum seekers and
Becta Award for ILCT to Support Effective Learning 1998/9 refugees within the third most deprived ward
Basic Skills Agency Award for Basic Skills 1998/9 in Leeds, ranking in the bottom 5%
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Award for Health and 1998/9 nationally… The project provided an
Community Care infrastructure of language learning tailored to
FENC Award for Effective Modularisation & use of 1998/9 the immediate needs of those arriving in Leeds
Technology-based Learning Resources and a social support structure including …
LSDA Award for College/Employer Partnerships 1999/0 volunteer support for befriending … the
Beacon Awards has had a positive impact on
LSDA Award for College/Employer Partnerships 2001/2
the college ability to attract additional
OCR Award for Helping Business Deliver the 2001/2
contributors funds from single pot and Leeds
New Economy
Learning Partnership.”
Thomas Danby Basic Skills Agency Award for ESOL/EAL 2002/3 Thomas Danby College
Thurso BT Award for Distance Learning 1994/5
Totton Churches’ Award for Sustainable Community 2003/4
Development
Waltham Forest Gardner Merchant Award for Environmental 1995/6
Health in Catering
BBC Education Award for Multimedia to 1995/6
Enhance Learning
Warrington EMTA Award for Engineering 1995/6
Collegiate
Warwickshire Becta Award for the Effective use of ILT to Enhance 2003/4
Teaching and Support Learning
Westminster City & Guilds Award for Hospitality and Catering 1997/8
Kingsway TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 2000/1
Wigan and Leigh MENCAP, RNIB, RNID Award for Students with 2002/3
Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Ufi/learndirect Award for Delivering Learning through 2003/4
learndirect Centres in Colleges “When we were announced as winners the
Wilberforce Partnership Trust Award for Mathematics 1999/0 surprise and delight were immense. But these
Wiltshire LSC Award for Delivery to meet Specific 2001/2 feelings don’t last long; what does is the
Employer Needs extraordinary pride and confidence which is
Wirral Metropolitan Becta Award for IT to Support Learning 1996/7 now evident in the team involved. However
Wolverhampton Post Office Award for Special Needs Provision and 1994/5 much they knew they were doing good,
Basic Literacy innovative work, the affirmation of this by an
Yale Protocol Professional Award for Hospitality 1999/0 independent party at national level really has
and Catering had a lasting impact on the large numbers of
York TES/AoC Award for Widening Participation 2000/1 staff involved.”
Totton College

“The award … signifies the college’s
commitment for delivering learning through
learndirect centres both within the College and
its partnership venues. The award also
signifies recognition of the work carried out
with students, which demonstrates the most
innovative provision of learning facilities.”
Wigan and Leigh


NILTA was established in 1989 and is an independent membership body that
supports the application of new technologies in lifelong learning. Its objectives
are to lead the agenda for e-learning; raise awareness and enhance the
reputation of the sector; support members to drive up quality in teaching and
learning, engage all learners and raise achievement; and use consultation and
communication to inform, influence and invest.

AoC and NILTA announced their merger in August 2003 as part of a joint
strategy to promote e-learning in colleges throughout the UK. As such they
have combined their resources to offer corporate members of both
organisations high quality services which will assist their staff in delivering,
supporting and managing e-learning. Benefits include enhanced regional
services and special interest groups, and greater promotion of technological
and e-learning issues within and on behalf of colleges. The prime benefit of
the merger is the ability of the Associations to reach staff at all levels within
colleges and other learning providers. The new company, AoC NILTA is a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of Colleges.

Unique amongst its partners working in the e-learning arena, AoC NILTA’s
independence as a Membership body brings key benefits to the sector through
its ability to respond to issues at local, regional and national level, and its
ability to influence e-learning agendas through its dialogue with the DfES and
LSC.

AoC NILTA believes that supporting and encouraging learning is paramount
and that e-learning is an essential part of the future of teaching and learning.
As part of a blended learning process, the use of e-learning is one of a range of
solutions that, fitting seamlessly into the whole learning experience, is key to
widening participation and raising standards.

We are therefore delighted to support the production of this document,
celebrating the achievements of all colleges that have won a Beacon Award in
the past 10 years. The ethos of the Beacon Awards is directly in accord with
NILTA’s objectives, in particular: to raise awareness and enhance the reputation
of the sector; and to drive up quality in teaching and learning.


AoC Beacon Award Sponsors since 1994

BAE SYSTEMS

(formerly Gardner Merchant)


AoC Beacon Award Sponsors since 1994 (cont)


The Beacon Awards Assessment
Team since 1994
Eddie Brittain
Lead Assessor

Rob Adamson Ian Jardine
Kevin Anderson Tom Jardine
Mary Arnold Kathleen Kimber
John Bennett Professor Gordon Lawrence
Paula Burton Sue Lovell
Stuart Burton Petra Major
Howard Clarke Arnot Millar
Phil Clarke John Millington
Michael Colenso (deceased) Gerard O’Donnell
Barry Cross Tony Roberts
Lewis Darbyshire Paula Sayer
Cynthia Deeson Brian Smith
Eric Deeson Kevin Smith
Colin Falconer Jennie Sparks
Maureen Fraser Professor John Thomas
Liz Fryer Anthea Turner
Brian Furniss Patricia Twyman
Gillian Hayes Peter Webb
Steve Hillman Sandy Williams
Joe Howgego Judith Worsnop


More quotes from AoC Beacon Award Winners
“The Beacon Award put the College in a “The Beacon Award has given Deeside College
prime position to engage with … employers the opportunity to position itself as a
and show them the advantages of education progressive, innovative and high quality
and training to their business success.” provider of education and training and the
Barnsley College – EMTA Award for Modern college went on to be awarded The Queen’s
Apprenticeships in Engineering Anniversary Prize in 2002 for its work with
industry.”
Deeside College
“Blackpool and The Fylde College views the
AoC Beacon Awards as an opportunity to
capture innovations, raise awareness of good
practice and to promote their replication.” “The award has been a tremendous advantage
Blackpool and The Fylde College in our international marketing… When we
tell parents of present and prospective
“Coleg Morgannwg has enjoyed the success of students, they are clearly encouraged to send
five awards in as many years. Collectively, their sons and daughters to us because the
the acknowledged quality of provision has award specifically acknowledges the support
resulted in staff being involved in several and care that we give.”
curriculum initiatives in Wales.” John Leggott College
Coleg Morgannwg

“Beacon Awards are given only after a
gruelling selection process, which has a real
value – whether you win an award or not.
Questions we were asked helped us identify
the difference between the excellent work
delivered every day in all areas of the college
and the truly outstanding contribution
South Trafford College recognised by Beacon Awards.”
City College Manchester

“Putting the submission together provides the
opportunity to analyse all aspects of the
programme and to particularly consider
aspects of good practice which may be Richard Huish College
transposed elsewhere. The word limit focuses
the mind to ensure that all the pertinent
aspects of the programme are highlighted.”
Bournville College of Further Education “… the College now has its own internal
Beacon Awards. Each year one particularly
effective, interesting or innovative project is
chosen from each School. The projects are
“Since winning the Edexcel Beacon Award for
included in the College’s annual report as a
Lifelong Learning and work in community
way of celebrating responsiveness and
adult learning, Bury College has continued to
innovation.”
expand and enhance community based
Lambeth College
learning, providing effective and imaginative
approaches to motivate adult learners and “… the amount of effort taken to enter the
widen participation in the local community.” Beacon Award competition is rewarded 100
Bury College fold with the winning.”
Broxtowe College, Nottingham

“Winning the Beacon Award… cemented our
excellent working relationship with the “ …the winning of the 2003 CITB-
employer, the Royal Armoured Corps, into a ConstructionSkills Award has galvanised
true long-term partnership. The shared action to share good practice across the
experience and recognition gained from the College … all too often, examples of good
achievement has established the college practice fail to be shared within Colleges. As
partnership as a quality provider to the a result, the College is introducing a system to
Army. It has also validated the two Colleges encourage sharing of good practice by
working together to share resources in presenting examples to its Academic Portfolio
equal collaboration.” Committee and thereafter to all staff through
Wiltshire College and Somerset College of Arts the College Newsletter.”
and Technology Clackmannan College South Trafford College


Association of Colleges
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Centre Point
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London WC1A 1RG
Telephone: 020 7827 4600
Facsimile: 020 7827 4650
email: enquiries@aoc.co.uk
Website: www.aoc.co.uk

AoC Beacon Awards - Celebrating Excellence in FE Colleges

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