Staff and students are celebrating today as Bridgwater College has won a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award¹ for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities.²

The award, sponsored by Microlink, the AoC Charitable Trust and Achievement for All 3As, was presented to the College by George Freeman MP, Under-Secretary of State for Life Sciences, at the AoC Beacon Awards National Presentation Ceremony in London on Wednesday 4 February.

The College supports high needs students to develop employability skills and to become independent through work experience, volunteering and personal learning opportunities.

The range of volunteering and work placements is tailored to the student’s choices and staff work to find opportunities in their local communities. There are links with a wide range of organisations which give students the chance to volunteer or work as an intern which can lead to paid employment.

The programme allows students to develop individual skills while working as part of a team. Tutors work closely with parents, guardians and carers to ensure students can make the most of the opportunities offered to them.

Nasser Siabi, Chief Executive Officer at Microlink said,

“The AoC Beacon awards are the most prestigious and encouraging way of acknowledging the UK colleges’ growing awareness of education and disability. The outstanding work of those shortlisted, has set an exceptionally high standard and are an inspiration to other colleges to follow; through both their implementation of processes and end results. Colleges are a gateway to employment and launch careers, so they are pivotal in assisting the disabled student to advance in an already challenging job market.

“For over 22 years Microlink has dedicated its focus to enabling students with disabilities to gain further education and enter the workplace through the use of assistive technology. We believe in partnership and proactive collaboration with educational establishments. This combined effort can make for significant contributions to the development of the talent pool that exists within the population of students with disabilities.

“The calibre of shortlisted colleges is testament to the UK’s rising number of graduates entering into the global recruitment market. Increasing awareness and creating avenues of accessibility in raising the standards within the UK is vital in improving a student’s chance of maintaining an independent lifestyle through employment.”

Mike Robbins, Principal of Bridgwater College said,

“We are absolutely delighted to win this award and receive such prestigious recognition for the work we do with many students who have barriers to learning. Working with many local employers, our outstanding staff ensure that every learner is supported to develop their employability skills and play an active part in the community. Those learners are a credit to the College and will be delighted to learn of our success in winning the AoC Beacon Award.”

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Pat Bacon said,

“Bridgwater College represents one of fourteen outstanding initiatives which have been granted a prestigious AoC Beacon Award this year.

“Each year, the calibre of the winning applications increases and I am always impressed by the innovative and creative ways in which colleges continue to help students reach their potential.

“As the sector as a whole continues to support the economic recovery of this country, these Beacon Award winners are helping to shine a spotlight on the outstanding means by which colleges are embracing new technologies and partnerships to achieve this. These colleges are showing the way for others to emulate their excellent work.”

Roger Marriott, AoC Beacon Awards Chief Assessor said,

“I have the privilege of reading all shortlisted applications and assessors’ reports for these awards and there are some truly inspirational initiatives which are enabling colleges to better support students, businesses and their communities.

“The quality of the shortlisted applications has been outstanding and all are to be congratulated.  It was tough deciding the winners for the awards and Bridgwater College can be rightly proud of its achievement.”

View photos from the Award presentation event