Bradford College is a finalist in two categories of the highly sought-after Beacon Awards 2024/2025. Run by the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Beacon Awards celebrate exemplary practice in further education.
Announced at the AoC Annual conference, Bradford College achieved the first shortlisting in ‘The Edge Award for Excellence in Real World Learning’ category for its Ambition HUB enhancement programme. The award is given to an FE college for its outstanding work with employers in delivering teaching and learning that is embedded in the real world.
The Ambition HUB initiative gives students a genuine career edge as well as a vocational qualification, as an extraordinary layer of additional learning enhances Level 3 programmes. Cross-curriculum integration brings diverse subjects and professionals together to collaborate on engaging employer-led projects.
From hairdressers working with Yorkshire Building Society to the RSC performing Shakespeare with construction students, the unique Ambition HUB model leads to a Level 3 qualification but also invaluable life experiences.
Bradford College also achieved finalist status in ‘The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL’ category. ESOL provision has been developed at Bradford College in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Learning and development is structured around Shakespeare’s works, and around 235 learners engaged with the project last year.
ESOL learners learn about plays, performance, and language, which underpins English development. As well as language skills, students learn about themselves, their new community, and English heritage in a positive and engaging way that instils pride. They develop confidence, improve their mental health (often after significant trauma), and become empowered by their newfound skills.
Sarah Towan (Vice Principal Recruitment & Communications) said: “We are so excited for our staff and students’ hard work to be recognised by these awards, for their outstanding innovation in learning. The Beacon awards showcase the very best education has to offer in the UK, so these awards are a testament of our college’s collective fierce ambition to do the very best for our community. It’s incredible that not one but two Bradford College initiatives have been recognised as being at the forefront of education excellence. Well done to everyone involved.”
Successful colleges will be visited between December 2024 – January 2025 before winners are announced at a special AoC celebration event on 3rd March 2025. Case studies from all colleges that achieved commended status are available on the AoC website here.
Students from Bradford College’s 14-16 Alternative Provision programme were given a glimpse into the future of learning this week as they took part in an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience designed to boost engagement, confidence, and digital skills. The hands-on session, held at the College’s Alternative Provision Centre, introduced learners to a series of VR […]
On Wednesday 7th January, Bradford College Performing Arts students had the incredible opportunity to learn from award winning actor Lee Otway, who is know for playing “Bomb Head” in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for 10-years. He delivered an exclusive masterclass packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice. The session was a dynamic mix of […]
