Tes has been a part of my professional life since I was 22. I’ve been teaching for 35 years now and am coming to the end of my career,” says Angela Williams. “Winning a Tes award is a wonderful way to end it: to know I helped this college become sixth-form college of the year.”

Williams has been principal of Huddersfield New College for 12 years. She has spent her whole life in education - first teaching at a secondary school before moving into post-16 provision. Winning a Tes award meant so much, she says, not just to herself, her staff and her students but also to those at other sixth-form colleges.

“We just work really hard to be the best that we can be. Everyone said to us, ‘It’s really nice to see an ordinary sixth-form college winning something like that.’ Others said, ‘Do you know what? That could be us,’” she adds.

It certainly could be - and now’s the chance to enter. Today, entries for the Tes FE Awards 2020 officially open. With the awards night to be held once again at the glamorous Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London, the event will celebrate the very best of the further education sector.

The awards recognise all outstanding individuals and institutions in FE, from outstanding specialist providers to colleges going the extra mile in the community; from an amazing apprenticeship programme to excellent use of technology in teaching.

Calling all unsung heroes

This year, there are two new categories to apply for. The first celebrates the work of those involved in WorldSkills - the international competition that sees talented 16- to 24-year-olds compete to be named the best in the world at their chosen skill.

Entries for the WorldSkills Unsung Hero Award can be made on behalf of individuals or teams who work for providers, employers and other organisations supporting WorldSkills participants. These roles could include training managers, team leaders, teachers, lecturers, assessors, support staff and coaches.

Outstanding resits provision

The second new award will pay tribute to a college’s outstanding GCSE resits provision. The government’s GCSE resits policy has seen colleges across the country adopt innovative and effective approaches to drive up the performance of students retaking English and maths GCSE. The Outstanding GCSE Resits Provision Award is open to a team or teams at any further education provider, and covers the year 2018-19.

“Further education and skills are a big priority for me,” education secretary Gavin Williamson tells Tes. “As a former FE student, I also know how important it is that we all continue to work together to raise the profile of the sector. The Tes FE Awards are a fantastic opportunity to do just that by recognising and celebrating all the fantastic work that is being done across the country.”

Tes FE editor Stephen Exley says: “The Tes FE Awards shine a light on the exceptional work of everyone in further education.

“Everyone involved in the sector works incredibly hard, despite being up against some tough challenges. The event offers us a chance to pay tribute to that hard work and reward the best of the best.”

How to enter

The deadline for entering the Tes FE Awards 2020 is 1 November. Entry is free and open to all further education providers in the UK. Tell us in 500 words why you should win before midnight on that date.

The shortlist will be announced in Tes magazine on 10 January. The winners will then be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on 20 March.

For more information about the awards, their sponsors and further details on how to enter, visit tesfeawards.co.uk.

This article originally appeared in the 4 October 2019 issue under the headline “Tes FE Awards 2020: is this your year to shine?”