Oxford Brookes “extremely proud” of Bridgwater College’s prestigious national awards

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

This year has seen a number of highly sought after national awards presented to Bridgwater College, including a Beacon Award, Queen’s Anniversary Prize, Large Business of the Year accolade at the Sedgemoor Business Awards, a Times Educational Supplement Further Education (FE) Award and many more.

Bridgwater is one of the Oxford Brookes’ partner colleges which allow students to study for courses closer to home.

A special event was held at The Cannington Walled Gardens in Bridgwater earlier this month (16 June) to celebrate the college’s achievements.

Chair of Governors Derek Randall, Principal Mike Robbins and MP Ian Liddell-Grainger addressed the audience on the positive impact the College is having on its students, the local community and it’s partnerships.

Professor Julie McLeod, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) at Oxford Brookes University, commented: “We are extremely proud of our Associate College Partnerships and have been delighted with the various successes of Bridgwater College over the past year.

“From the awarding of a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize to recognition in the Times Education Supplement FE Awards, it is only right to celebrate these achievements. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Bridgwater College and in providing excellent teaching and support to students together.”

The College won its 14th Association of Colleges Beacon Award after inspiring its students through sport, which was recently presented by Skills Minister Nick Boles at an awards ceremony in London.

Dame Pat Bacon, Chair of the Beacon Awards, said: “Bridgwater College is an outstanding representative of the excellent work happening in colleges across the country. It is a privilege to oversee these awards which allow us to celebrate the exemplary and innovative work colleges are developing to support their students, staff, employers and local communities.”

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education was the next great achievement. The prize was awarded to College Principal Mike Robbins and Vice-Principal Andy Berry by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at an official ceremony held in the Buckingham Palace ballroom.

We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Bridgwater College and in providing excellent teaching and support to students together.

Professor Julie McLeod, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience)

The Prizes, which form part of the UK Honours system, are awarded every two years to colleges and universities whose achievements in terms of creativity, innovation and impact are considered to be exceptional. Bridgwater College is one of only seven other colleges in the country to have received this award twice.

Most recently, Bridgwater College was named as the 2016 Further Education College of the Year at the Times Educational Supplement (TES) FE Awards. Judges felt that Bridgwater College stood out from the rest for its sustained outstanding performance and the exceptional partnerships it has forged with employers and the local community.

They also commended its outstanding student success rates, excellent levels of student recruitment and retention, substantial increases in apprenticeship numbers and sustained excellence in governance and leadership.

Employer partnerships within the College are particularly strong, and have generated significant investment in College facilities as well as exceptional opportunities for employment, Apprenticeships, work placements and work experience with some of the most famous blue-chip companies in the world.

In conferring the award, the judges stated, “These successes, coupled with the College’s sustained excellence in governance and leadership, place Bridgwater among the UK’s most successful FE colleges.”

Mike Robbins, Bridgwater College Principal said, “It is an honour to receive this prestigious award, which is testament to the energy, commitment and innovation of the entire College staff. This is turning out to be a truly exceptional year for Bridgwater College, which is edging ever closer towards its ambition to be world class.”

You may not need traditional qualifications to get onto a course at one of Oxford Brookes’ partner colleges such as Bridgwater – work experience, previous learning and a desire to study all count when applications are considered.

If you want to study alongside a career, in between family commitments or simply learn more about a subject you have always been interested in, these degree and foundation degree courses delivered in partnership could be right for you.

Find out more about Oxford Brookes’ partner colleges on the University’s website.

For more information about Bridgwater College, visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk