Oldham Sixth Form College has been Highly Commended for an Association of Colleges Beacon Award for its Junior University Project which has helped improve GCSE exam results in collaboration with local partners.

The Awards, which this year celebrate 17 years of outstanding teaching and learning in Further Education Colleges, were announced at the AoC’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham on 16 November. Tim Smit, Co-founder and Chief Executive of the Eden Project, announced the 2010 Beacon Award winners and Highly Commended Colleges in the Responsiveness, Partnership and Impact category.

Oldham Sixth Form College was Highly Commended for the AQA Award for College/School Partnerships. The Award recognises successful and meaningful partnerships between schools and Colleges. The criteria are based on a number of factors including complementary curriculum delivery, student support and shared use of facilities.

The Sixth Form College has established partnerships with local schools, the Connexions service, Aimhigher, a Further Education College and a university. Together they work closely with students to raise aspirations and improve GCSE performance. The College is based in an area with high deprivation. However, through this collaboration, the percentage of young people now achieving five A*-C grades in their GCSEs has improved considerably. The focus of the partnerships is the promotion of education rather than each institution competing with each other to recruit students.

The Junior University Project uses recent graduates who act as mentors to inspire and assist current students. The mentors place a strong emphasis on providing advice and guidance since most are considering careers in teaching or careers guidance. They work with students who are at risk of not securing five passes at GCSE level. Mentors have regular one-to-one contact with students and can help with anything relating to their studies such as coursework, exam preparation and revision. The project has its own interactive website that provides further support, alongside the one-to-one sessions.

The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation as well as acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels. They highlight the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, said: “Beacon Award winners and Highly Commended Colleges raise the bar when it comes to finding new ways of doing things to enable Colleges to play a leading role in the communities they serve. They help contribute to social justice by widening participation in further education and play a key role in local economic and social regeneration by encouraging links with local businesses and supporting people, both in and out of work, in learning new skills.”

“We are pleased that this year’s winners have been drawn from all parts of the UK and all demonstrate traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach. Once again, I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to acknowledge and reward the exemplary contribution made by these Colleges.”

Spokesperson for the College, Principal Jayne Clarke, said:

“We are thrilled to have been recognised through this prestigious national award. It highlights the fantastic work of the Junior University Project in raising aspirations, achievement and progression into further and higher education within Oldham. It is testament to the wonderful work of the Junior University mentors and to the excellent partnerships between Oldham Sixth Form College, Oldham schools, Connexions, Aimhigher, Oldham College and University Campus Oldham; a real team effort.”

Bill Alexander, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at AQA, said: “We are proud to sponsor the AoC Beacon Awards and reward the hard work and innovation of our Colleges.”

Roger Marriott said: “As Chief Assessor for the AoC Beacon Awards I am immensely impressed by the high quality of the work that is being done in Colleges, in all parts of the UK, to provide exemplary support for learning to such a wide range of students.

“The commitment of the sector to meeting the needs of learners and the degree of excellence which was displayed by Colleges during our assessment visits was outstanding. By presenting these Awards, the AoC shines a spotlight on best practice, innovative development and continuous improvement; these Colleges create shining examples that other institutions can look to for help, inspiration and encouragement.”

Oldham Sixth Form College will receive a certificate testifying to their achievement in the New Year.