We’re a finalist in national awards

We’re celebrating after being named a finalist in the RCU Award for Support for Students in the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards 2021/22 and having two students reach the final of the Student of the Year Awards.

The College has been recognised in the Beacon Awards for its innovative practice amongst UK Further Education colleges and student support provision on offer. Our students have access to a wealth of health and wellbeing support available, including a Wellbeing Garden, Wellbeing Pups and an award-winning Health and Wellbeing Centre that provides advice and guidance on a range of topics and works with external partners such as Chilypep to support physical and mental wellbeing.

The AoC’s Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. The Support for Students Award supported by the RCU seeks to recognise, celebrate and promote examples of student support provided by colleges for a significant group of students, across a whole provision or college wide approach.

Students Alisha Shepherd and Evar Jawhar have also been named as finalists in the Association of Colleges (AoC) Student of the Year Awards. The national awards celebrate the achievements and successes of exceptional students who stand out from the crowd.

“We are thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the work we do on health and wellbeing and congratulate Alisha and Evar on being selected as finalists in the Student of the Year Awards too.”

Yiannis Koursis, Principal and Chief Executive at Barnsley College, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the work we do on health and wellbeing and congratulate Alisha and Evar on being selected as finalists in the Student of the Year Awards too. As a College, we aim to Transform Lives and help our students to fulfil their full potential. We put a lot of emphasis into this area to ensure our students are happy and have access to health and wellbeing support.

“We wish the other shortlisted organisations congratulations and good luck! We now look forward to next year’s awards ceremony.”

Mark White OBE DL, Chair of AoC’s Charitable Trust added: “The AoC Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them. This award celebrates and promotes examples of student support provided by colleges for a significant group of students, across a whole provision or college-wide approach. The work of the finalists demonstrates outstanding examples of information, advice and guidance for students.”

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprentice, Alisha, is a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by NOCN. Alisha was nominated for her commitment to her studies whilst providing support to the College’s Teaching and Learning department during Covid-19.

Alisha commented: “I can’t put into words how proud of myself I am, I never thought I would make it this far but to be a finalist is such an achievement. I feel so lucky and overwhelmed.”

Evar, a current Level 2 Engineering student, is also a finalist in the Young Student of the Year Award sponsored by the Edge Foundation; which he was nominated for whilst studying Foundation Learning in the 2020/21 academic year. Evar came to the country as a refugee and with dedication throughout the year to his learning journey, he gained the results and skills he needed to be able to progress. Evar also volunteers in a community group where he helps to translate for Kurdish refugees and also leads a weekly fitness class in the same community group to help the refugees meet each other, develop friendships and feel more confident accessing the community.

We are committed to transforming the lives of students, staff and communities. We offer a range of study programmes including full and part-time vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels and university-level courses. We can also create a bespoke study programme tailored to your needs. To find out more email omlreception@barnsley.ac.uk or call 01226 216 150.