Beacon Awards Commended Status for SERC

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has achieved the Association of Colleges' (AoC) Beacon Standard and Commended Status. The Beacon Awards recognise outstanding and innovative practice by Further Education Colleges who demonstrate significant and positive impact on their students and the community.

The College has been commended in two categories: the AoC Award for Widening Participation and The City & Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers. Finalists for the annual awards will be announced at the AoC Annual Conference on 17 November.

Speaking about being commended in the Widening Participation category Ellie Bradley, Deputy Head of School of Health, Early Years and Adult Education said, “This is a great achievement and fantastic recognition of our drive to make the College accessible to everyone.

“The Care Project at our Newcastle campus is at the heart of what SERC is about – inspiring adults to return to education, which sets to transform and enrich the lives of students, their families and their community.”

Ellie added, “With our determination to knock down the barriers for adult returners, we secured funding for our Little SERC creche, which provides childcare on campus during study hours. Students can therefore continue with their studies at SERC, contented their toddler is being cared for in the very same building.

“The children in Little SERC have become part of our learning community with their own garden, and access to the green initiatives within the Campus including compost heaps, a wormery, recycling stations, bird feeders as well as green areas developed by the students with the children in mind.”

Stuart Rankin, Head of Higher Education at SERC, spoke about the College’s commendation in the City & Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers category: "SERC has engaged with Fire and Security employers from the outset. The College has been involved in helping to establish a Federation, developing qualifications and an apprenticeship framework as well as industry upskilling, professional development opportunities and competitions all of which have ensured the existing workforce and students coming through are fit to meet the needs of a growing sector and continue to raise the profile of this important sector.”

“Receiving a Beacon Award Commendation acknowledges the team's hard work and dedication in anticipating and meeting employers' needs for the sector, especially through the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”  

Visit www.serc.ac.uk to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.