The close collaborative work between the city’s college and schools in Exeter and across the heart of Devon won national recognition for raising student aspirations and achievement in a ceremony held in London last week.

Exeter College was presented with the prestigious AQA / Association of Colleges Beacon Award for its partnerships with schools in creating opportunities for 14 – 16 year olds in the county by the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, the Rt Hon John Hayes, in front of MPs and further education colleagues from across the country.

The Award recognised the exemplary partnerships with 20 local schools in the city and the heart of Devon which aims to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to stay in education post-16. The initiative targets 14-16 year olds and offers a unique approach to practical learning with a focus on increasing the quality, accessibility and diversity of under-16 provision.

Successful outreach programmes and effective advice and guidance have helped to contribute to the impressive achievement rates. The College also helps students from rural areas and from disadvantaged backgrounds by subsidizing transport and providing bursaries.

The report highlighted that the school partnerships had enabled the College to be regarded as a hub for 14-16 practical learning with the sharing of facilities, flexible staffing and outreach approaches to delivery of education among the qualities singled out.

Speaking after the awards ceremony – the 17th annual event of its kind – Principal Richard Atkins said: “Today was a day that Exeter College and our local schools should be truly proud of since we have gained national recognition for the work we all know benefits our young learners. We are delighted that our collaborative work with a range of organisations has added significant value to the local and regional learning communities and means young people in our area are now able to take up the opportunities that will be essential for their future”.

Every year, the AoC Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation within the Further Education sector. John Hayes MP said “I am pleased to be part of the AoC Beacon Awards which recognises and celebrates the greatest successes of the further education sector. The Awards highlight the exceptional ability of many Colleges to respond to the needs of students and local businesses and revitalize the communities they serve”.

In sponsoring the Award, Bill Alexander, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at AQA, said “”We are proud to sponsor the AoC Beacon Awards and reward the hard work and innovation of our Colleges”

Further to winning the CoLRiC Beacon Award in 2009, in recognition of Exeter College’s outstanding 24/7 Learning Resources provisions, the College’s most recent accolade was collected in person by Principal Richard Atkins and Assistant Principal Rob Bosworth, together with the College’s 14-19 Partnerships and Collaboration Team. A local celebration with schools and student representatives is planned for later in the Spring to showcase the range of opportunities from construction to critical thinking that the initiative has created for local 14 – 16 year olds