In 2014, Alison Scattergood became the first woman to be named a British Master Barber. Last year, she was accepted as a member of the prestigious Fellowship for British Hairdressing.

But the lecturer at East Durham College was in no doubt as to the pinnacle of her working life to date: being named teacher of the year at the Tes FE Awards 2018, in front of more than 800 guests at the Grosvenor House hotel on London’s Park Lane. “I’m truly thrilled,” she said. “This is the best achievement in my career. Teaching is hard work but very rewarding. Being recognised like this and receiving this award is just the best feeling ever.”

Now, the race is on to find the winners of the Tes FE Awards 2019. From the outstanding leaders responsible for transforming the fortunes of their organisations, to the unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes, the “Oscars of FE” shine a light on the very best that the sector has to offer.

Today, the 2019 awards open for entries.

The Tes FE Awards recognise exceptional institutions, individuals and teams across the sector. Since the first ceremony took place in 2011, the awards have undergone significant growth. And next year’s event promises to be the biggest yet.

For the first time, the Tes FE Awards ceremony will include the presentation of the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Beacon Awards, in a celebration of outstanding achievement across further education.

While the Tes FE Awards will focus on celebrating the success of FE providers and the individuals behind their achievements, the Beacon Awards will acknowledge best practice in college teaching, management and governance. Founded in 1994, the Beacon Awards showcase the most innovative colleges across the UK.

The two sets of awards will remain independent from each other, and will maintain separate entry and judging processes.

The shortlists for both sets of awards for 2019 will be announced at the AoC Annual Conference in November.

Apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton says: “The Tes FE Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise excellence across the further education sector. Together, our FE providers and the many thousands of people that are behind them make sure that everyone is equipped with the skills that they need to get on in life. FE providers change lives.”

‘Exceptional work’

Tes FE editor Stephen Exley says: “I am delighted to work alongside the AoC to recognise and celebrate the exceptional work being done by FE providers across the UK.

“The Tes FE Awards have gone from strength to strength in recent years. In 2018, they received a record number of entries, and the prestigious awards ceremony - dubbed the ‘Oscars of FE’ - attracted more guests than ever before. The two sets of awards share the goal of ensuring that the FE sector receives the attention and plaudits that it so richly deserves.”

The AoC Beacon Awards will be open to all colleges across the UK, while the Tes FE Awards will continue to be open to all types of FE provider.

AoC chair Carole Stott says: “The AoC Beacon Awards capture and celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK further education colleges, and the Tes FE Awards continue to go from strength to strength each year.

“Every year the Beacon Awards receive excellent submissions and we hope that, with a simpler first stage for applications, even more colleges will apply this year.

“Last year, the entries demonstrated the commitment of colleges to create the best possible experience for their students. We are sure that along with the Tes FE Awards, we’ll see more great applications this year.”