Further Education Minister Siôn Simon unveils 13 new FE and skills Beacons

Further Education Minister Siôn Simon has awarded Learning and Skills Beacon status to 13 Further Education and skills providers at The Gibson Hall in London today.

The highly regarded Beacon status provides public recognition for excellence and innovation and celebrates learning providers that deliver outstanding teaching and learning.

Mr Simon said: "This is an outstanding achievement. In today’s economic climate, the more we can all do to promote and celebrate the excellence that exists in further education and skills, the better. I would encourage all Beacons to work with LSIS to share their expertise and good practices to help drive up the performance of the whole sector to the high level that they have attained. Our students, learners and employers deserve nothing less."

Roger McClure, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, said: "I echo the Minister’s congratulations on your terrific achievement. But the really hard work starts now. Maintaining and improving upon your outstanding performances is going to be challenging. And we shall look to you to work closely with us to identify how your expertise and good practices can be best shared with, and taken on, by other providers. We look forward to working closely with all of you."

A wide variety of provider types became today’s new Beacons, including sixth form colleges, work-based learning providers as well as an adult and community learning provider. The 13 new members are:

• The Atomic Weapons Establishment plc of Aldermaston
• Chelmer Training Limited of Essex
• Chulmleigh Business & Enterprise Centre, of Chulmleigh in Devon
• College of North East London (CONEL) of Tottenham
• Hull College of Kingston upon Hull
• Kwik-Fit Holdings of Derby
• Midland Group Training Services Ltd of Coventry
• National Grid of Warwick
• Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College of Leeds
• Uxbridge College in Hillingdon
• West Nottinghamshire College of Mansfield
• Working Men’s College of Camden
• Xaverian Catholic Sixth Form College of Manchester

There are now 141 Beacons in total across the country, which have been carefully selected with evidence from Ofsted and the Learning and Skills Council. As a minimum, providers must have gained a Grade 1 for Leadership and Management, and no less than a Grade 2 for every other aspect of their inspection. They must also have achieved evidence of strong financial health and support of the appropriate LSC Regional Director and the LSC National Office.