New College Durham is proud to announce that it reached the final judging panel for two prestigious national awards! The college considers itself honoured by nominations for both the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the AoC Beacon Award for Widening Participation.
The AoC Beacon Awards are a celebration of exceptional practice, groundbreaking innovation, sustainability, and the profound impact of outstanding teaching and learning.
The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) proudly recognises remarkable achievements in teaching, learning, and supporting learners who are speakers of languages other than English, embarking on the journey of mastering English as a second language.
In response to the surging demand for ESOL education, the college was nominated for its innovative, impactful approach of harnessing a shared passion for sport to boost attendance, enhance engagement in the classroom, and pave the way for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to integrate into the college and the wider community.
Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham, Andy Broadbent, said:
“Our students hail from a vast array of countries, many of whom have faced trauma, loss of childhood, and separation from their families. Yet, amidst these challenges, they unite in their love for sport, particularly football and cricket.”
Collaborating with a local premier league football club and the city’s cricket club, the college launched sessions beyond lesson times, opening the door to all students eager to play.
Andy added, “The results we saw were nothing short of extraordinary. Attendance levels soared, and an impressive 100% of participants excelled in their end-of-year external speaking and listening assessments (Trinity College London). Despite missing out on the top award, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff and project partners for their dedicated commitment to making a real difference in the lives of these young people.”
New College Durham also reached the final judging panel for The Association of Colleges (AoC) Award for Widening Participation
The AoC Award for Widening Participation shines a spotlight on exemplary initiatives that break down barriers to learning and progression for groups often under-represented in further education.
Last year, New College Durham (NCD) forged a powerful partnership with Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre (SBIC) aimed at tackling the acute shortage of educational professionals in the region, with a particular focus on addressing teaching assistant vacancies.
By embedding education directly within community settings, this ground-breaking initiative broke down barriers such as transportation and cultural differences, making learning opportunities not just accessible, but inviting.
Deputy Principal of New College Durham, Alison Maynard, added:
“Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to reflect and respect the cultural and social contexts of our learners. We offer courses that resonate with their daily lives and future aspirations. Programmes such as health and social care, mental health awareness, teaching qualifications and safeguarding, reinforce the transformative power of education in enhancing quality of life and opening doors to opportunity.”
This initiative has significantly boosted engagement and participation among underrepresented groups, including women and ethnic minorities. Over 200 learners from these communities have joined the programme, many stepping into formal education for the first time. This remarkable uptake underscores the programme’s effective outreach and inclusivity, dismantling traditional barriers and nurturing a culture of learning within diverse populations. Supporting the programme was also Nur Fitness, an award-winning community organisation which is very passionate and dedicated to helping women & children become healthier, both physically and mentally along with improving self-esteem and confidence.
NUR work with all women but specialise in working with the BME community, with their multi-lingual staff they take pride in catering for all cultural needs.
Alison concluded, “This initiative, created by New College Durham and realised through robust partnership with Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre, has demonstrated the phenomenal and uplifting effect that education can have on individuals’ sense of belonging and self-worth.
“We take immense pride in being recognised for these prestigious awards and despite not being victorious this time, I too would like to express my thanks to everyone who has worked hard and shown belief in the benefits of both programmes. They should all take immense pride in being part of such innovative initiatives that are judged at the highest level.”