Posted: Thursday 16 December 2010

Kilmarnock College has been Highly Commended for an AoC Beacon Award

Kilmarnock College has been Highly Commended for an Association of Colleges Beacon Award for its visionary work focusing on young people at risk of becoming NEET - those not in employment, education or training.

The Awards, which this year celebrate 17 years of outstanding teaching and learning in Further Education Colleges, were announced at the AoC's Annual Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham on 16 November. Tim Smit, Co-founder and Chief Executive of the Eden Project, announced the 2010 Beacon Award winners and Highly Commended Colleges in the Responsiveness, Partnership and Impact category.

Kilmarnock College was Highly Commended for the AoC Award for Widening Participation. The Award recognises the work of Colleges to widen participation in further education and training by meeting the needs of previously hard-to-reach or disengaged students.

The College won praise for three short programmes that have been specifically developed to meet the needs of young people who have lost interest in school. These include: Bring it On, which develops confidence through the performing arts for 13-14-year-olds; Leadership Academy for 13-16-year-olds, which develops leadership skills in the young people and the Winter Leavers programme, which is a four-month course offering vocational, community-based and volunteering activities for 15-year-old pupils who have to stay in school until the Christmas break but who opt to come to college as an alternative.

The College also offers the Personal Empowerment Zone (PEZ). This 18-week course helps prepare students over the age of 16 for mainstream vocational programmes by developing essential skills and attitudes and supporting behavioural changes.

The courses are delivered in a purpose-built facility on campus known as the HIVE, which stands for Hope, Inspiration and Vision in Education.

The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation as well as acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels. They highlight the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, said: "Beacon Award winners and Highly Commended Colleges raise the bar when it comes to finding new ways of doing things to enable Colleges to play a leading role in the communities they serve. They help contribute to social justice by widening participation in further education and play a key role in local economic and social regeneration by encouraging links with local businesses and supporting people, both in and out of work, in learning new skills.

"We are pleased that this year's winners have been drawn from all parts of the UK and all demonstrate traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach. Once again, I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to acknowledge and reward the exemplary contribution made by these Colleges."

Heather Dunk, Principal of Kilmarnock College, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the College and testament to the hard work that staff and pupils alike have put in to developing courses like ours.

"Our PEZ students have produced some outstanding results and were invited to deliver an event on engaging the learner to an audience of more than 90 people including Principals and lecturing staff from across Scotland at a Scotland's Colleges conference.

Martin Doel, Association of Colleges' Chief Executive, said: "This is an excellent example of how Colleges put extra effort into helping very diverse elements of society, including those who may need more help accessing education than others. Congratulations to Kilmarnock College on this innovative and inspiring scheme."

Roger Marriott said: "As Chief Assessor for the AoC Beacon Awards I am immensely impressed by the high quality of the work that is being done in Colleges, in all parts of the UK, to provide exemplary support for learning to such a wide range of students.

"The commitment of the sector to meeting the needs of learners and the degree of excellence which was displayed by Colleges during our assessment visits was outstanding. By presenting these Awards, the AoC shines a spotlight on best practice, innovative development and continuous improvement; these Colleges create shining examples that other institutions can look to for help, inspiration and encouragement."

Kilmarnock College will receive a certificate testifying to their achievement in the New Year.

Ends

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Joanna Wilson, Beattie Communications, 01698 787847

Notes to Editors:
1. The AoC Beacon Awards programme was established in 1994 under the auspices of the Association of Colleges at the suggestion of The Partnership Trust. The Partnership Trust wished to establish an awards programme for the further education sector after a similar event for the higher education sector proved successful. The Awards started with just six sponsors in the first year and 13 categories. A total of 101 applications were received from 61 Colleges. The event now regularly attracts around 270 applications a year for around 20 awards.

2. The Association of Colleges (AoC) exists to represent and promote the interests of Colleges and provide members with professional support services. As such, we aim to be the authoritative voice of Colleges - based on credible analysis, research, advocacy and consultation with Colleges - and the first choice destination for guidance and advice for members. AoC was established in 1996 by Colleges themselves as a voice for further education and higher education delivered in Colleges at national and regional level. Our membership includes general and tertiary further education Colleges, sixth form Colleges and specialist Colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

3. The 2010 Award-winning and Highly Commended Colleges in the Responsiveness, Partnership and Impact category are:

AQA Award for College/School Partnerships
Award Winner
Exeter College
Highly Commended
Oldham Sixth Form College

AoC Create Award for College Engagement with Employers
Award Winner
New College Nottingham
Highly Commended
Birmingham Metropolitan College

Association of Colleges Award for Widening Participation
Award Winner
Hackney Community College
Highly Commended
Kilmarnock College
New College Nottingham

British Council Award for International Student Support
Award Winner
Edinburgh's Telford College
Highly Commended
Birmingham Metropolitan College

Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning
Award Winner
Birmingham Metropolitan College

Enterprise UK Award for Enterprise
Award Winner
Southern Regional College

Welsh Assembly Government Award for 14-19 Collaboration
Award Winner
Coleg Sir Gâr

YPLA Award for 14-19 Collaboration
Award Winner
South Devon College

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