A Great Result at the Emirates Stadium
June 2007
Champions: Guests of Honour Lord Adonis and Oona King join our Engineering team in their celebrations.
You could feel the tension as Lord Adonis tore open the envelope to reveal the name of the winners. Head of School for Engineering Mike Bristow, his team of Course Managers and students could hardly contain themselves as the words ‘Lambeth College’ were read out to a rapturous applause. And up to the stage they went to accept their prize at the first ever London Education Partnership Awards.
Like the Arsenal Emirates Stadium where the event was staged, these Awards are brand new. Their aim is to reward dynamic, groundbreaking partnerships and practices that are changing the educational face of the capital.
Lambeth College’s School of Engineering received a glowing Ofsted inspection earlier this year which, above all, commented on how highly its students spoke of the support they received from teachers.
The category in which the School was short-listed was sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It focused on innovative curriculum practices and excellent support for students who are studying in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Former student and recent recruit to the teaching staff Grace Owolade told the audience how the College had made her feel welcome when she first appeared as a student. She said: “I was nervous at the beginning. I thought it might be a male dominated ‘macho’ environment that would only patronise its female students. I was wrong. I found a place that had worked hard to dispel the image of Engineering as a ‘dirty and greasy’ profession that suited only male students. A strong emphasis was put on respect and women were taken seriously and made to feel very much a part of the team.”
Mike Bristow said: “This Award is an endorsement of the fantastic inspection the School of Engineering received in February. It is also testament to how the staff work as a team and show high levels of enthusiasm and energy in the classroom. They are great role models to their students.”
Chris Jude, a member of the London Partnership Awards team and one of the judges, commented on how strong the School’s entry had been. She said: “You were winners from the beginning. When we came to inspect your case for this Award, we were overwhelmed by the professionalism of your staff and how your students praised your teaching methods. Amazing!”
Proud Principal Richard Chambers said: “This prize offers further evidence of our Engineering School’s outstanding performance over the last few years. Over 120 schools, colleges and universities entered for these awards with only 7 winners. I’d say that speaks volumes about the level of this achievement.”
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