Beacon Award shortlisting
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- Created on Thursday, 11 October 2012 15:06
South Devon College shortlisted for AoC Beacon Award for Sport in the Curriculum
South Devon College has been shortlisted for a National Association of College’s (AoC) Beacon Award in Sport, in recognition of their work in Sport in the Curriculum and the Community. It is the first time there has been a National Beacon Award specifically for sport so it is a prestigious tribute, and puts South Devon College in the final few shortlisted colleges from 385 Further Education Institutes nationally. The winner of this award will be announced on 20th November, during the AoC’s Annual Conference.
South Devon College was nominated for the 1st4Sport Qualifications & Sports Coach UK Beacon Award for Sport in the Curriculum, which was recently assessed by Penny Silvester (AoC), Tony Dallimore (1st4Sport) and Patsy Colvin (Sports Coach UK) when they spent a day at the College, witnessing first hand the innovative sports developments and its work with community partners. The assessors interviewed current students, a number of local employers and community partners, parents and ex-students, in addition to observing some students coaching and vocational lessons.
The College Sports department were able to showcase their work with employers, community clubs, national governing bodies, the county sports partnership and local schools, which ensures the curriculum is relevant, innovative and inspiring. The Award nomination highlighted how the sports curriculum raises aspiration and achievement within young people in the area. A particular feature which was unique for this year, was the inclusion of the use of the London 2012 Olympic Games to inspire learning. The College had held various events based around this theme, such as Special Inspiration Games, the Olympic Sports Makers Volunteering Programme, and an Olympic themed staff celebration. A number of local torch bearers had also visited the College to inspire local students to take up a sporting activity.
Matt Burrows, Senior Section Head for Sport & Adventure, commented:
“I’m exceptionally proud that the College’s sport provision is being recognised in this way. To get this far is testimony to all the efforts from our students, staff and partners in the community with whom we work. We pride ourselves on the best use of innovative teaching and this is reflected in our learners’ outstanding success rates. The assessment day was a chance for us to reflect on our practice, and it was particularly rewarding for me to listen to parents and ex-students sharing their very positive experiences with us. The assessors really seemed to like how we offer our learners a wide range of industry recognised qualifications such as coaching awards, pool lifeguarding, first aid and gym instructor qualifications. I am very grateful to our community partners and employers who gave up their time for the assessment, and who continue to support us by giving opportunities to our learners.”
The Sports Department continue to innovate and look to the future, having recently launched a successful apprenticeship programme, new sports academies in Basketball, Netball and Rugby, and establishing links with Redland Community College in the USA. In May 2012 South Devon College received the Olympic “Podium” Award for Outstanding Sporting Project in 2012, recognising the Special Inspiration Games which has been held over the past 3 years, and is an event run by College students, for learners with learning and physical difficulties.
South Devon College offers a variety of courses in sport and adventure, including Sports Academies and Elite Sporting Champion programmes for talented athletes.
The College is holding 2 forthcoming events. On Wednesday 17th October, there is an Information for Parents & Carers event, from 6-8pm. It will give parents the opportunity to find out more about the wide range of options available for pupils in Year 9 -11.
Following this, there will be a College Open Evening on Wednesday 21st November from 5-8pm at their Vantage Point campus in Paignton. Come along or call 08000 380 123 for more information.
