Walsall College Wins Prestigious AoC Beacon Award

Walsall College is celebrating after being named as an Association of Colleges Beacon Award winner. 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 17 November.

Lord Willis of Knaresborough, President of the AoC Charitable Trust, announced the 2010 Beacon Award winners and Highly Commended Colleges in the Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Design and Development category.

Walsall College won the Becta Award for Efficiency through the Effective use of Technology in Further Education and Skills. The Award intends to highlight how new technology can have a positive impact on both students and the workforce.

Our E-Learning Team have won the award for revolutionising the way they manage information and processes, including enrolment data, performance reports and key performance indicators via SharePoint. This has had a range of benefits across the College, for example, students have felt empowered to take ownership of their progress, attendance, punctuality, timetable and assignments, as all this information is recorded electronically.

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 FE sector.

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, said: “Beacon Award winners 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 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.”

Director of Learning Technologies and Innovation at Walsall College, Jayne Holt, said: “We are delighted to win such a prestigious award and have our achievements recognised on a national scale. We have been on an incredible technological journey over the last few years and are starting to realise our e-maturity for the e-services we offer to the entire College community. We wanted to change the way we work, teach, learn and operate our business, and although there is much more work to do, the hard work of our staff and the involvement of our learners has meant that the technological progress we have made has been embraced by all.”

A spokesperson for Becta said: “We would like to see technology increasingly used to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential. Technology increasingly makes the lives we live possible, at home and at work. Learning cannot be left behind. When technology is used to support learning and address particular needs, it can enrich and enhance the individual experience as never before, as well as help equip learners for the world of work. No one should miss out on the potential for technology to change their life, and this award recognises those institutions that have made this happen.”

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.”

Walsall College will host a local celebration event in the New Year and will be presented with their Award by John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, at a national presentation ceremony due to be held in Westminster on 9 February 2011.