Bournville College is hoping to make it second time lucky at the TES FE Awards next month.

Last year the Birmingham college won the Contribution to the Local Community Award, and this year it is in the running for the Support for Students Award. A senior manager at Bournville said the prizes were a “fantastic way to celebrate the success of the whole sector”.

Last year the college was recognised for its work kickstarting the regeneration of communities hit by the collapse of MG Rover and the closure of its Longbridge factory. The college opened a new campus on the former plant site in 2011.

Bournville is one of several colleges nominated for the second year in a row, including last year’s FE provider of the year Walsall College, which is shortlisted for outstanding use of technology in FE.

Michelle Dowse, corporate executive director for commercial development at Bournville College, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the award, especially because we were up against such strong entries. To have our achievements externally recognised was fantastic.”

In June, the college was rated as good with outstanding features by Ofsted. The inspectorate’s report praised Bournville for its outstanding engagement with commerce, industry and other providers. 

“We recruit a lot of students from an area of high deprivation,” Ms Dowse said. “It’s not just about qualifications and employability. We have to help students explore what opportunities are out there and help them find their ambition and self-belief.”

Ann Mroz, editor of TES, said: “These awards are a fantastic way for us to celebrate the work of the FE sector, whose achievements too often go unrecognised. We are greatly looking forward to shining a light on the sector’s successes.”

Book now:

Time is running out to book tables for the TES FE Awards at a reduced “early bird” rate.

The ceremony, which recognises excellence among teachers, leaders, colleges and providers in the sector, will take place on Friday 27 February at the Grosvenor House hotel in London.

The winners of 13 categories will be announced, including teacher of the year, FE provider of the year and the lifetime achievement. Tomorrow (16 January) is the final day on which discounted places at the ceremony are available. 

For more information on the awards, and to book your tickets, go to www.tesfeawards.co.uk

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Best of the FE sector celebrated at prestigious TES FE Awards 2014 - February 2014