Chichester College Group has reached the finals of the AoC Beacon Awards

Students and staff across the Chichester College Group are celebrating, after being named as finalists in the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards.

The Group, which is comprised of Chichester College, Brinsbury College, Crawley College, Worthing College and the new Haywards Heath College, has been shortlisted for the RCU Award for Support for Students category.

The Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. This award, supported by RCU and AoC, seeks to celebrate outstanding examples of student support provided by a college for a significant group of students, across a whole provision or college wide approach.

The Chichester College Group has been shortlisted for its ‘Licence for Total Inclusion’ project which was designed to create an inclusive culture of high expectations and continual professional development for all lecturing and support staff.

The project provides a high level of professional knowledge, recognition and awareness of the many diverse needs of students, especially for those on foundation, entry level and level one courses. 

Shelagh Legrave OBE, Chief Executive of the Chichester College Group, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted as finalists for this year’s Beacon Awards in a category which reflects our commitment to our students.

“We believe we are changing lives through learning and supporting our students is the golden thread that helps us to achieve this aim, something we believe our ‘Licence for Total Inclusion’ fully reflects.

“This is a really important project that was developed to support our staff in their provision to students, ensuring that our colleges are delivering consistently outstanding education and support to all students at all levels.

“I am proud of the team at Chichester College Group for their accomplishments and this is another great achievement to celebrate, following our Outstanding Ofsted report in May and our fantastic set of A-level and vocational results in the summer.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “These colleges have gone above and beyond in equipping and empowering students to have a voice, to solve their own challenges, make their own choices and to participate in their community.

“All have shown great dedication to fully support students into college, employment and adult life, and which enable them to achieve success and help them to transform their lives.”

The Chichester College Group was also commended for its best practice and innovation in the City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers.

The AoC Beacon Awards finalists were announced at the AoC FE Summit on Tuesday 17 November. Winners will be announced in Spring 2021.