The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the further education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the 2021 Tes FE Awards.
It's been revealed that East Durham College has been shortlisted for the Contribution to the Local Community award.
The College, with sites in Durham and Peterlee, has been shortlisted for the award following a tremendous range of local community work undertaken by students in its 14- to 16-year-old provision known as Engage 14-16.
Following student voice meetings and expressing their desire to have a more positive and prominent role within the community, college staff set to work with helping to investigate opportunities.
Craig Dowell, Programme Area Leader for Engage 14-16 at the Peterlee Campus, said: “I’m so incredibly proud of all our students, and this award nomination is totally for them and the amazing work they have done over the last couple of year. It’s fantastic that their efforts have been recognised by such a prestigious award as Tes FE – the Oscars of the Further Education sector.
“Engage is an alternative education offer to mainstream school and aims to reigniting the students’ spark for education and learning - to help them to develop positive behaviour, academic attainment and engage with learning outside of the classroom. The range of community projects they have successfully worked on is testament to that.”
Projects the Engage students have worked on include ‘Sliding Doors’ with Peterlee Police to help refurbish the station and the new Peterlee Youth Town Council with students attending meetings to provide guidance on the opinions of young people to help counsellors in their decision making. This led to the students working on a project to help with the upkeep of the gardens of the elderly, they are also working on the refurbishment of a local park and play area, a tree planting scheme and the development of a garden and footpath at a care home.
Tes head of FE Julia Belgutay said: “Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year, and the amazing individuals, teams and institutions on our Tes FE Awards shortlist showcase that.
“Our judges were highly impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist – it is a brilliant achievement.”
After a very successful online awards ceremony last year, Tes are once again holding this year’s awards ceremony virtually. Winners will be announced on Friday 28 May 2021.
