Turning students on to science through a course in forensics has won a Somerset college the top accolade at the annual Beacon Awards for further education.
Bridgwater College was revealed as the winner on Wednesday when it was presented with the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) charitable trust president’s award as the college showing the most innovative approach to education.
The winner was selected from a pool of entrants by paralympic world champion athlete Giles Long, who said he had been impressed by the way the college had drawn students into science - a subject area which has suffered declining popularity in recent years.
Mr Long, the president, said: “The college really stood out as a winner due to its approach to making science attractive to young people by broadening its appeal. The course in forensic science encourages the development of analytical thinking and innovative thought in a tangible and realistic way.”
The college developed a Btec certificate course in forensic science that can be taken alongside AS and A2 qualifications, as an alternative to GNVQ science.
The American television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is widely regarded as having sparked an interest in forensic science among teenagers.
The awards were announced by Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, a member of the charitable trust, at a ceremony in Birmingham. Other Beacon Award winners, which had been announced at the AoC conference in November, include Bolton Community College for widening participation, Knowsley Community College for 14-19 collaboration and Lewisham College for engagement with employers.
Dame Patricia said: “The AoC has a long-standing commitment to the promotion of exceptional work carried out by British further education colleges. This year’s winners have been hugely successful, creating fantastic opportunities for tens of thousands of learners across the country. By highlighting their achievements, I am confident other colleges will be inspired to replicate their good practice and innovative approach to learning.”
WINNERS OF THE BEACON AWARDS
AQA Award for College School Partnerships
North Lindsey College
Association of Colleges Award for Widening Participation
Bolton Community College.
Highly commended: Kingston Maurward College
Becta Award for e-enabling Organisational Development
Aberdeen College. Highly commended: Xaverian College
British Council Award for International Student Support
Bridgwater College. Highly commended: Edinburgh’s Telford College
CLA Award for Creativity in Writing, Art or Design
Plymouth College of Art and Design.
Highly commended: Alton College
CoLRiC Award for the Effective Integration of LibrariesLearning Resources Centres in Curriculum Delivery
Northern College
Centre for Excellence in Leadership Award for Innovation in Curriculum Leadership Development
South Nottingham College
Churches’ Award for Sustainable College Partnerships that Recognise Diversity and Develop People and Communities
Grimsby Institute of Famp;HE
City amp; Guilds Award for Staff Development in Further Education
Gateshead College
Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning
Chichester College
Edge Award for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning
South Devon College
Eversheds Award for the Effective Use of Capital Development
South Devon College
FENC Award for the Creative Use, Adaptation and Delivery of Learning Resources
South Devon College
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Healthcare Award for Health and Community Care
Grantham College
Learning and Skills Council Award for 14-19 Collaboration
Knowslely Community College
Learning and Skills Council Award for College Engagement with Employers
Lewisham College
Learning and Skills Council Award for Equality and Diversity
West Thames College
Mercers’ Company Award for Science or Mathematics
Bridgwater College
Network for Black Professionals and Centre for Excellence in Leadership Award for Promoting Race Equality
Grimsby Institute of Famp;HE
OCR Award for Partnerships in Basic Skills
Cornwall College
RNIB and Mencap Award for Students with Learning Difficulties andor Disabilities
Cambridge Regional College
UfiLearndirect Award for Delivering Learning through Learndirect Centres in Colleges
Isle of Wight College
Welsh Assembly Government Award for College Engagement with Employers
Coleg Menai.
