An AoC Beacon Award for Lambeth College
Shining Lights: Curriculum Manager Racheal Brown, Chair of Governors Dame Lorna Boreland-Kelly and top student Natalie Harris from our Skills for Work - Enterprise Projects receive the prestigious AoC Beacon Award from Kevin Brennan MP, Minister of State for Further Education.
February 2010
Lambeth College is celebrating after receiving an Association of Colleges’ Beacon Award at a presentation ceremony in Westminster, London, (10 Feb), for its work with partner organisations to get students with learning difficulties or disabilities into jobs.
Lambeth College was presented with the RNIB and Mencap Award for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities by Kevin Brennan MP, Minister of State for Further Education. The Award recognises exemplary practice in delivering learning to students with learning difficulties or to visually impaired students.
The College uses three strategies to help students get jobs. Personalised programmes are developed to help them learn workplace skills alongside their independence skills. This is facilitated by two residential Colleges offering four to six week blocks where students can practice their independent living skills while on a work placement.
Picture Gallery
A Special CelebrationLambeth College hosted a special reception event at our Brixton Centre on Wednesday 3 March to thank the many staff and students who contributed to our AoC Beacon Award.
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Ex-students Martin Sobrino and John Ayoola with Faculty Director Christine Donovan.
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Ex-student Nicola Edwards chats with old friends at the event reception.
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Clair Fadikpe, from the Healthy Gourmet Cafe, offers Canapes during the event.
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Pat Dyson from Mencap and Philipa Simkiss from RNIB were our special guest speakers at the event.
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Chair of Governors Dame Lorna Boreland-Kelly welcomes guests to our AoC Beacon Award event.
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Natalie Harris from the Skills for Work Enterprise Projects course listens to speaches at the event.
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Curriculum Manager Rachael Brown outlines our successful employability strategies.
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Successful student Martin Sobrino enjoys the event.
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Natalie Harris completed a six-week work placement programme at TfL.
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Philipa Simkiss, from RNIB, addresses guests at the event.
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Ex-student Nicola Edwards attends our AoC Beacon Award event with her Tutor Sharon Rothery.
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Pat Dyson, from Mencap, addresses guests at the event.
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Philipa Simkiss and Pat Dyson present Martin and John with the £3,000 cheque.
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The cheque represents the prize money for our award which is sponsored by Mencap and RNIB.
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Ex-student Martin now works as Kitchen Assistant at Eaton House Manor School.
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Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Christopher Wellbelove congratulates staff and students on their award.
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Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Christopher Wellbelove congratulates staff and students on their award.
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Principal Richard Chambers tells guests of the great work the College has done.
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Ex-students Martin Sobrino and John Ayoola celebrate with Lambeth Mayor Cllr Christopher Wellbelove.
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Students Robert, John and Martin toast their award with Christina Fandino and tutor Frank Inness.
The College has set up real work environments where the students can practice and develop their employment skills and, thirdly, the College has established partnerships with supported employment agencies who give career planning and advice on vocational training, job search, benefits and on-the-job training.
Yonus, Charlotte and Grant from our Skills for Work Enterprise Projects course are gaining skills in the retail trade by running their own Study Accessories Shop at our Clapham Centre.
The College has more than doubled its original target for students registered with the project; almost half obtain jobs as a result.
Further Education Minister Kevin Brennan said: “The AoC Beacon Awards celebrate the greatest successes of the Further Education sector in responding to the needs of students, local businesses and the communities they serve. Colleges are vital to giving people the skills and qualifications they need and play an important role in creating partnerships with employers. It is right that these institutions are recognised for their hard work.”
Principal of Lambeth College Richard Chambers said: “We are delighted that the Association has recognised the contribution made by the College towards supporting our learners with their progression into the workplace. I am very grateful to the RNIB and Mencap for sponsoring our submission and we are fortunate to be supported by a strong network of partners and agencies that share the same values”.
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 winners blaze a trail in finding new ways of doing things; they contribute to social justice and are instrumental in local economic and social re-generation, which is essential during these turbulent times. Whilst the winners this year are located all across the UK, what they all share are the key traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach. I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to reward the contribution that these Colleges make; they are the pillars of our communities.”
