Ashton Sixth Form College outshines hundreds to win a national award for educational excellence.

Ashton Sixth Form College has won Outstanding BTEC College of the Year at the National BTEC Awards, held in London on 5th July 2012.

The ceremony was held in recognition of the nearly one million students around the country who are studying BTEC qualifications this year. Pearson, who own Edexcel, the awarding body for BTECs, received over 500 nominations across the 15 award categories for this year’s Awards.

For Ashton Sixth Form College, this national award recognises the exceptional results that students studying vocational courses achieve, with grades significantly above the national average and amongst some of the highest in the country.

The Awards were hosted by Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates, at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London and attended by winning students, teachers, and leaders in education. David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science also spoke at the ceremony.

Ashton Sixth Form College’s Children Care Learning and Development Department currently boasts a 100% pass rate across all programmes and an 84% progression rate to Higher Education. The College currently runs 12 BTEC programmes in total. Judges felt these fantastic progression rates were also partly the result of the numerous university visits, preparation sessions and inspirational talks from industry leaders, organised for the students.

Dr Janet Nevin, Principal of Ashton Sixth Form College “I am extremely proud of the staff and students at Ashton Sixth Form College whose achievements have now received national recognition. The college’s commitment to excellence in both vocational and academic pathways demonstrates the importance of a broad curriculum offer of the highest quality and I am delighted that we have served the young people in the borough of Tameside so well.”

Rod Bristow, President, Pearson UK said, “I am delighted the National BTEC Awards are now in their second year and going from strength to strength. In a modern economy with complex and rapidly shifting skills needs, we need practitioners who understand the theory, and academics who can put things into practice. BTEC aims to give students access to that kind of rounded education.

“More and more universities and employers are telling us that they value that rounded approach. Every year, thousands of BTEC students go on to further study and good jobs that really value their skills. They achieve great things in a wide variety of industries vital to the economy, ranging from business and engineering to ICT and healthcare.

“It is vital to support and celebrate the hard work and achievements of outstanding BTEC students and their teachers. The judges were impressed by the quality and number of nominations we received but Ashton Sixth Form College really stood out as truly exceptional.”

Local MP David Heyes said, “It’s fantastic that Ashton Sixth Form College outshone the hundreds of other nominations to win this award. It is incredibly important to recognise educational excellence and the National BTEC Awards provide a great platform for showcasing our nation’s brightest talent. Students and staff should be very proud of their hard work and achievements.”

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, who spoke at the Award Ceremony said: “These awards rightly celebrate the practical skills and knowledge which will help our economy grow and remain competitive with the rest of the world. I congratulate all of this year’s award winners who have shown tremendous dedication in their work and who can all be very proud of what they have achieved.”

National BTEC Awards host, Radio 1 DJ and The Voice host Reggie Yates said, “I’m really excited to be part of this year’s National BTEC Awards. To succeed in my industry and any other you need to set yourself high ambitions and work hard to hone the right skills and knowledge. You need to be able to deliver on the day, not just know the theory.

“Ashton Sixth Form College has shown real passion and commitment and deserves to be put on a pedestal as an inspiration to others.”

Photos of all the Award winners from the Parliamentary Reception and Awards Ceremony can be found at: www.flickr.com/photos/nationalbtecawards2012/