Ashton Sixth Form College makes the shortlist for prestigious Beacon Award

Ashton Sixth Form College is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national award for the way it works in partnership with local schools in Tameside to raise standards across the borough.

The Association of College’s (AoC) Beacon Awards recognise the best and most innovative practice among UK further education colleges. The awards celebrate excellence in the sector and Ashton Sixth Form College is one of the few colleges in the country to make it on to the final shortlist.

The college has been shortlisted for the AoC Beacon Award for College/Schools Partnerships, supported by the Skills and Education Group. This award celebrates colleges that have shown highly effective collaborative engagement with schools which has resulted in an increase in student achievement and progression.

The college impressed judges with the lead role they have played in setting up an educational trust called the A+ Trust, which brings together a range of schools in collaborative work across Tameside. The work undertaken to raise attainment, aspiration and achievement in Tameside has made the Trust the key model of improvement for the local area.

Principal Anton McGrath said: “To make it on to the shortlist for an AoC Beacon Award is recognition in itself of the outstanding collaborative work that is raising standards across Tameside. Being placed among the top colleges in the UK is a fitting tribute to the staff at the college and A+ Trust schools who are working together to raise the achievement of young people in our borough. I am immensely proud of everyone involved.”

The award winners will be announced at a special ceremony at the AoC’s Annual Conference in Birmingham on 16^th November.