2016 has seen a number of highly sought after and prestigious national awards presented to Bridgwater College, including a Beacon Award, Queen’s Anniversary Prize, Large Business of the Year at the Sedgemoor Business Awards, a Times Educational Supplement FE Award and many more.

An event was held at The Walled Gardens of Cannington to celebrate the College’s achievements. A number of local dignitaries and partners were invited to raise a glass and indulge in garden themed canapés, produced by the College’s amazing catering team, as a thank you for their continued support for Bridgwater College. Guests were also take on a tour of the Gardens, Botanical Glasshouse and the new and exciting Aquaponics Centre.

Chair of Governors, Derek Randall, Principal Mike Robbins and MP Ian Liddell-Grainger addressed the audience with confidence discussing the positive impact the College is having on its students, the local community and it’s partnerships with employers. They also discussed their passion for continuing the College’s success and are excited about the College’s future ambitions, including the National College for Nuclear, the Advanced Engineering Centre and their merger with Somerset College.

The College won its 14th Association of Colleges Beacon Award after inspiring its students through sport, which was presented by Skills Minister Nick Boles at an awards ceremony in London. It was awarded for the College’s ability to demonstrate to students studying sport, the range of career opportunities that are available to them. Through their Team BC initiatives and innovative sports, students volunteer as coaches in primary schools learning leadership and employability skills.

Dame Pat Bacon, Chair of the Beacon Awards said,

“Bridgwater College is an outstanding representative of the excellent work happening in colleges across the country. It is a privilege to oversee these awards which allow us to celebrate the exemplary and innovative work colleges are developing to support their students, staff, employers and local communities, as well as helping to support our recovering economy.”

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education was the next great achievement. The prize was awarded to College Principal Mike Robbins and Vice-Principal Andy Berry by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at an awe-inspiring official ceremony held in the Buckingham Palace ballroom.

The Prizes, which form part of the UK Honours system, are awarded every two years to colleges and universities whose achievements in terms of creativity, innovation and impact are considered to be exceptional. Bridgwater College is one of only seven other colleges in the country to have received this award twice.

Recognition for Bridgwater College came as a result of its pioneering work with business, (such as EDF Energy, Mulberry and Thales to name a few), awarding bodies, universities and government, to put in place the skills training that is enabling regional businesses and individuals to participate fully in one of the biggest surges of economic activity that the South West has ever seen.

Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C Programme and Construction Delivery Director said,

“We are thrilled our partnership with Bridgwater College has been recognised and the hard work of College staff and students has been honoured with the presentation of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize. EDF Energy’s investment in Bridgwater College is designed to ensure people and businesses in the local community can develop the skills they need to secure jobs and contracts on our project.”

Most recently, Bridgwater College was named as the 2016 FE College of the Year at the Times Educational Supplement (TES) FE Awards. Judges felt that Bridgwater College stood out from the rest for its sustained outstanding performance and the exceptional partnerships it has forged with employers and the local community.

They also commended its outstanding student success rates, excellent levels of student recruitment and retention, substantial increases in Apprenticeship numbers and sustained excellence in governance and leadership.

Employer partnerships within the College are particularly strong, and have generated significant investment in College facilities as well as exceptional opportunities for employment, Apprenticeships, work placements and work experience with some of the most famous blue-chip companies in the world.

In conferring the award, the judges stated,

“These successes, coupled with the College’s sustained excellence in governance and leadership, place Bridgwater among the UK’s most successful FE colleges.”

Mike Robbins, Bridgwater College Principal said,

“It is an honour to receive this prestigious award, which is testament to the energy, commitment and innovation of the entire College staff. This is turning out to be a truly exceptional year for Bridgwater College, which is edging ever closer towards its ambition to be world class.”