Congratulations to our Ambition HUB and ESOL teams after making it through to the Commended Colleges shortlist in the highly sought-after Beacon Awards 2024/2025. Run by the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Beacon Awards celebrate exemplary practice in Further Education.
Bradford College’s Ambition HUB achieved the AoC Beacon Standard and Commended Status in ‘The Edge Award for Excellence in Real World Learning’ category. 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.
Alongside three other institutions, Bradford College is recognised for real-world learning through its specialist Ambition HUB enhancement programme. The initiative gives students a genuine career edge as well as a vocational qualification, as an extraordinary layer of additional learning to enhance 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 experience.
Bradford College also achieved the AoC Beacon Standard and Commended Status in ‘The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL’ category, alongside seven other colleges. ESOL provision has been developed at Bradford College in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Learning and development is structured around Shakespeare’s works, with around 235 learners engaging 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.
Beacon finalists for each award category will be announced on Tuesday 12 November during the AoC Annual Conference. Successful colleges will then be visited between December 2024 and January 2025, before winners are announced at a special AoC celebration event on 3rd March 2025.
Case studies from colleges that achieved commended status are available on the AoC website.
Bradford College Apprenticeships continue to deliver outstanding results. Ahmed Shakir, a Level 2 Joinery Apprentice, is set to compete at the prestigious SkillBuild National Final this November. Delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), SkillBuild is the UK’s largest multi-trade competition for construction trainees and apprentices, spotlighting top talent from across the country. Ahmed’s […]
