An East Yorkshire college has been named the finest in the country at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, has been named ‘Outstanding College of the Year’ at the BTEC Awards 2017.
The awards, held by accrediting body Pearson, celebrate the finest educational institutions and students in the country and this year received almost 1,000 applications.
Bishop Burton, which specialises in agriculture, animal management, equine studies and sport, was praised for the outstanding delivery of a wide range of BTEC courses and strong links with employers, which help students find work at the end of their studies.
Jeanette Dawson OBE, Chief Executive and Principal of the College, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win this highly prestigious award.
“This reflects the incredible achievements of our students and staff, who go the extra mile to ensure Bishop Burton is such a special College.
“Ensuring our students are given the platform to follow their dreams and fulfill their potential is the priority of everyone here at Bishop Burton College and I’m incredibly proud that we have been recognised as BTEC College of the Year.”
Judges were impressed by the commitment of all staff to ensuring students achieve, with 97% going on to secure employment or a higher level of study within six months of completing their course.
All of the College’s BTEC provision includes work experience placements and, where relevant in areas such as agriculture and equine, on-site practical duties.
Along with the College scooping the overall award, student Katrina Turbull, 18, was also named individual ‘Outstanding BTEC Public Services Student of the Year’.
Katrina, from Hull, studied BTEC Level Three Public Services at Bishop Burton for two years. During that time, she also worked as volunteer for the NSPCC, giving talks to primary school children about different types of abuse.
She said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the College and have learned so much. This just tops it off.”
Individual award winners were unveiled by BBC television presenter and journalist, Steph McGovern, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, in London, following a lunch reception in Parliament with MPs from across the political spectrum.
Richard Atkins CBE, the government’s Further Education Commissioner, presented Bishop Burton with the Outstanding College of the Year award.
Praising all the award winners, Rod Bristow, Pearson’s President in the UK, said: “The fantastic winners being celebrated at today’s awards ceremony exemplify the dedicated students across the country who have been helped to make progress in their lives and careers through BTEC and I am delighted to congratulate them on their well-earned success.”
The College, which includes Riseholme College in Lincolnshire, is a two-time winner of the British Quality Foundation’s highly sought-after UK Excellence Award.
Bishop Burton, which is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for both agriculture and equine, was also recently confirmed as the host venue for the 2018 FEI Pony European Championships.
Hundreds of further education and degree students who successfully completed their studies this year celebrated their achievements at presentation day and graduation events this week.
Bishop Burton delivers a wide range of further education courses and degree programmes and is still accepting applications from students for the coming academic year. For more information, visit www.bishopburton.ac.uk.
