2023 Award details

Curriculum Innovation

Winner

B6 Sixth Form College

The college’s impressive ‘Back on track’ programme offers students who leave school mid-year a speedy route back into mainstream learning. Students are able to re-assess their priorities and enrol on a programme which will lead to a range of valuable qualifications supplemented by additional support such as mentoring resources, enrichment and careers-related programmes.

Runner up

Gateway Sixth Form College, T level health team

The college has worked creatively with Coventry University Nursing department to deliver hands on practical training to their T Level Nursing students. Developing a practical and immersive approach to TLA has had a positive impact on learners and it has raised aspirations of current and future learners.

Runner up

Richard Huish Sixth Form College

In September 2022, the college launched a college wide programme of practitioner led Action Research and Joint Practice Development (JPD). The programme aims to promote a collaborative, reflective and evidence-based approach to curriculum planning and pedagogy.

Community Impact

Winner

Franklin Sixth Form College

The college’s Community Hub provides learning for a diverse population in the North East and focuses on equipping individuals with the right qualifications to achieve and improve their life chances.

Runner up

Luton Sixth Form College

The college in partnership with national charity, The British Heart Foundation, began the biggest CPR training scheme ever offered by a sixth form provision in the country. The college has already trained and pushed out over 2,000 young people into the Luton community, who have the life skills to put someone into the recovery position, how to give hands-only CPR and how to use a public access defibrillator.

Runner up

Shooters Hill Sixth Form College

The college has made it a key priority to significantly increase their community outreach programmes and provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to positively engage with local community projects.

Independent Learning

Winner

Hills Road Sixth Form College - Library & Digital Resources Team / Curriculum and Guidance Team

The college has embarked on an exciting library re-engagement initiative, which has involved a number of college departments working together to encourage students to engage in library resources and services that the college has to offer. The college has seen a significant increase in Library resources usage since the initiative launched.

Runner up

The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Mark Rayner Director of progression

Mark has been instrumental in encouraging independent learning and enhancing student engagement at the college. He introduced Tutorial+, a weekly series of online activities that were carefully integrated with the tutorial program PSHCE, work experience, careers and curriculum study skills to enhance the students' experience and promote independent learning.

Runner up

John Leggott College

Following Covid-19, the college identified an emerging strand for development around independent learning and re-launched EPQ with a new approach on focusing on the benefits and skills that EPQ process cultivates. The college has seen a significant uptake in EPQ.

Social Mobility

Winner

Birkenhead Sixth Form College

From support programmes with university and employer partners to their unique house teaching style, the college develop students to be well-rounded individuals who contribute to all elements of society as well as achieve outstanding results.

Runner up

Cirencester College – Karen Bell, Head of Learning Skills and Support

Karen’s ambition is to enable students with SEND to access Level 3 provision and reach their potential. Through a number of activities Karen and her team have put in place, the college has supported students to achieve and become more independent regardless of the barriers students have faced.

Runner up

Rochdale Sixth Form College – Learning Support team       

The Learning Support team at the college go the extra mile and provide excellent support for all students, especially those with SEN, which was notably mentioned in the college’s Ofsted inspection in October 2022.

Lynda Allen award for Governance

Winner

Long Road Sixth Form College - Ian Wilson

Ian became Long Road Sixth Form College Chair of Governors in 2013, serving as Chair until 2021. His commitment and relentless focus on the student experience and improving outcomes has shaped the priorities of the Corporation. Not only has Ian provided immense contribution to Long Road SFC, but to the whole sector for the last 50 years - working as a teacher, principal and governor. He has also made an impact on a national level- serving on the SFCA board and more recently helping to deliver webinars and training events on governance.

Runner up

Oldham Sixth Form College – Irene Howard

Irene was first elected to be a Governor of Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC) in 2005 and became a Trustee of the Pinnacle Learning Trust (of which OSFC was a founding partner) in 2018. She has therefore played a pivotal role in the College’s governance for 18 years. Irene has worked tirelessly to offer excellent, effective, support and challenge to the Trust and college leadership teams.

Runner up

Christ the King Sixth Forms – Rupert Evenett MBE

Rupert has been the Chair of Governors at CTK since 2014; prior to this he was a member of the board for many years. Rupert has worked tirelessly in harnessing the power of education to enhance lives, making a real difference to the often deprived, communities of Southeast London and Kent; as a Lewisham resident, he is passionate about giving back to his local community. 

Sustainability

Winner

Gateway Sixth Form college – Eco Committee

Gateway College has implemented an Eco-committee, consisting of staff and students working together to strategically reduce the college’s carbon footprint. The group has achieved a standout programme, which ensures that they are leading sustainable action in the sixth form sector. Some of the projects that they have implemented include hosting an Eco-Schools Roadshow, hosting student-led workshops where staff and students bring their clothes into college for repair and collaboration with University of Derby on a Nature Connectedness Project to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of being outside.

Runner up

Bede Sixth Form College

The college wants to support staff and students to make more sustainable choices. To lead by example, the college is almost entirely paper free with their enrolment process and have made their timetables virtual. The introduction of a biomass boiler makes the college site self-sufficient in its energy usage for heating and the car park integrates a rainwater harvest system used to supply water to the college toilets.

Runner up

Varndean College - Climate and Environment Action Group

Varndean College has been involved in a number of initiatives and actions of the Climate and Environment Action Group (CEAG) which is led by the college climate and environment lead Yaso Shan. They have undertaken a number of activities including planting of 400 trees, launch a reuse and upcycling scheme and the production of ‘green news publication’ a monthly online publication which aims to inform readers on the latest news and events in a monthly round up of local, national and international issues that relate to the environment, sustainability and climate change.

Enrichment and Employability

Winner

Melton Vale Sixth Form College - Careers team

The college launched their ‘Alumni Enrichment Programme’ for year 12 students this year. Former MV students have been carefully matched with students in year 12, based on their career aspirations to provide advice and guidance as students plans for their next steps. Typically, 75% of students at MV are ‘first generation’ go on to study at degree level and this designated programme aims to raise their aspirations through personalised support, via regular MS Teams mentoring meetings and ongoing email communication. Greater engagement from students has been evidenced through this programme.

Runner up

Leyton Sixth Form College- Learning Support Team

The College’s learning support team runs an outstanding and innovative ESOL programme which aims to deliver not only strong academic progress for their students but also to provide extensive enrichment and workplace opportunities which develop the skills and wellbeing of their learners.The college has seen high retention on ESOL courses and progression onto level 2 and 3 courses.

Runner up

Loreto College, Amna Rehman – Aspire to Teach Coordinator

Helping with the national teacher shortage and retention in the education sector, Loreto College’s Aspire to Teach programme led by Amna Rehman, Aspire to Teach Cordinator helps students interested in a teaching career the opportunity to understand and experience the profession. Students undertake a 6 week work placement, observe subjects across different key stages, deliver a short micro-teach to year 7 students and visit primary schools and universities as part of the programme.

Health and Wellbeing

Winner

Shrewsbury Colleges Group

The college has embedded an impressive cross college health and wellbeing programme for all staff and students which includes an annual wellbeing day, the launch of a new wellbeing app for both staff and students, ‘Thursday Thrive’, designated quiet spaces in each of their campuses and a menopause support group.

Runner up

New College Bradford, New College Doncaster, New College Pontefract

The 3 colleges have had the opportunity to develop and shape a culture focusing on staff wellbeing. They are committed to staff wellbeing and organise an annual wellbeing day, encourage staff to maintain a good working life balance, provide free or subsidised gym membership and hold termly staff voice meetings.

Runner up

The Sixth Form Bolton

The College is heavily invested in the welfare of their staff and students and are committed to championing positive mental health and well-being for all. The college employees 15 progress coaches who oversee student wellbeing progress and achievements and also have a strong focus on staff development, training and awareness raising and work with external agencies and charities.