Ten of the “best and most innovative” FE colleges have been announced as winners of this year’s prestigious Association of Colleges Beacon Awards. Edge is proud to sponsor the Beacon Award for Excellence in Real World Learning which seeks to recognise examples of practical teaching and learning that equips people with the skills that today’s global and digital economy demands. This is done through a broad and balanced curriculum, high quality training, engaging real world learning and rich relationships between education and employers.
This week Education Partnership North East was announced as the winner of this award for their transformative Cultural and Social Capital project.
This innovative programme opens the door for students in the challenging fields of Creative Arts, Performance, Computing, and Games to directly engage with leading employers. Filling a notable gap in employer engagement within these industries, the initiative provides students with firsthand experience in practical projects mirroring the challenges they may face in their future careers. With a broad array of employers participating, the project has successfully involved a significant number of students in a Cultural and Social Capital endeavour.
Over a three-year period, more than 1,500 students in Performance, Visual Arts, Computing, Media, Games, and Esports have benefited from this unique initiative. Engaging 37 dedicated staff members and over 35 employers, including prominent organisations such as the National Theatre, NHS, BBC, and British Esports, the project breaks down barriers for real-world learning and industry engagement.
Structured in several stages, the Cultural and Social Capital project commences with an induction project centred on real-world problem-solving. Teacher-scheduled activities follow, preparing students for industry inclusion and community projects. The culmination of this effort is marked by an Industry Inclusion Fortnight in February, featuring on-site industry experts, live briefs, and commissions mirroring authentic job expectations. The project reaches its pinnacle with a Digital EXPO and Arts Exhibition, providing a platform for students to showcase their achievements to industry experts.
80% of the students benefiting from this initiative have been categorised as disadvantaged, with 40% falling into multiple disadvantage categories. The project's impact extends beyond academic achievements, fostering essential skills and industry connections for students who might otherwise face barriers in these traditionally challenging fields. The success of this initiative reflects its transformative nature, creating a positive impact on students, educators, and industry partners alike.
A huge congratulations to Education Partnership North East.
Alice Barnard, Chief Executive Officer, Edge Foundation said:
“Edge are proud sponsors of the Award for Excellence in Real World Learning. Our award celebrates colleges which have developed high quality practical teaching and learning approaches that give students experiences that are real, meaningful, challenging, stretching and life changing. Congratulations to this year’s finalists.”
Mark White OBE DL, Chair of AoC’s Charitable Trust said:
“The AoC Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them. This award recognises examples of excellent practical teaching and learning. The work of the finalists shows how important colleges are in providing students with the necessary skills for the real world.”
You can find out more about the Beacon Awards here.