The Association of Colleges (AoC) awarded Leicester College the prestigious Beacon Award for its exemplary practice in promoting progression for learners with learning difficulties and or disabilities. The Award was announced at the annual AoC Conference on Tuesday 17 November 2015.

The AoC Beacon Awards are now in their 22nd year; these coveted awards seek to recognise and disseminate best practice and new ideas within the Further Education sector. Achieving this award provides Leicester College with national recognition for its work.

Martin Doel, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said:

“The Beacon Awards are an opportunity for AoC to reward colleges for the work they do with students and their local community.”

“Award winners can be proud of their achievement because the entries were all of a high standard.”

Angela Rooney Tchetchnev, Director of English, Maths and Supported Learning was delighted by the news. She commented “This is simply wonderful. The Beacon Award is well deserved recognition of the incredible work undertaken on a daily basis by our Supported Learning Team. It is also testament to the support and enthusiasm of our learners for such innovative programmes.”

Leicester College has offered specialist provision for learners with moderate, severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties and/or disabilities for over ten years, and supported 235 learners in 2014/15.The programme consists of three strands – learning for work, learning for living and specialist learning for learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).

Verity Hancock, Leicester College Principal, said:

“I am thrilled for all the staff in our Continuing Studies department, whose tireless commitment to their students has been recognised with this prestigious award. Leicester College is extremely proud of them.”