Bradford College

Celebrating the Success of the WNF Early Entry ESOL Project

Bradford College was proud to celebrate the success of the Early Entry ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Consortium project during a formal ceremony held at the Ramada Bankfield Hotel, Bingley on 31st March. 

The project has run for two years, and was funded by the Local Authority through Working Neighbourhoods Funding (WNF). This was a dedicated fund for local councils and communities to help people in the most deprived areas of England get back to work.

Over two hundred learners accompanied by their teachers from ten ESOL providers based across the district travelled to Bingley. At a ceremony of achievement for the second year of the project learners accepted their well-deserved certificates which were awarded by Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive Michele Sutton, OBE. 

Speaking at the event, Principal, Michele Sutton, OBE said: “I’m delighted to be here for the second consecutive year to award over 200 certificates to Early Entry ESOL Learners from across the district.  It’s absolutely wonderful to see so many people here working together within their community groups who have achieved this qualification, which hopefully will stand them in good stead to go on further – this is a great achievement for the whole team!”

This project was developed as a response to the identified huge demand and lack of sufficient funding for low level, first step, early-entry ESOL provision across the district.

Bradford College was lead and accountable body of the local ESOL Consortium which was established to deliver the WNF project. Members of the consortium over the two years were: Bradford College, Craven College, Mortimer House Children’s Centre, Anissa UK, Keighley Campus Leeds City College, Minerva Centre, Karmand Community Centre, BSSN, Trescom, BEAP, Safety First Training and Community Centre, Direct Training Ltd, West Bowling Community Advice Centre and Shipley College.

The project has successfully increased the delivery of first step ESOL and has benefited the lives of over 600 learners across the district, by improving their English and assisting them to progress onto further ESOL classes or gain access to employment. 

During the event learners stated how much they had enjoyed their ESOL classes and how participating in the ESOL course had not only changed their own lives, but also the lives of their children, for as parents, they can now better support their children at school through their improved language skills.

Projects and Partnerships Team Co-ordinator, Julia Kendall said: “We’re delighted to be here today to celebrate the success of our learners.  The learners and their teachers have all worked very hard throughout the year to improve their language skills.”

Cynthia Richardson, Projects and Partnerships Team added: “This innovative ESOL provision has been offered in 25 community settings, making learning more accessible for learners. We hope that the participation in this project has enriched the lives of our learners and their families and improved their employment opportunities.”