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Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Lead The Way For Beacon Status

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight continue to lead the way for innovation and excellence in training with the news that that as a region, they lead the number of learning providers with Beacon status. Just last week, Treloar and Brockenhurst Colleges were awarded Beacon status by the LSC, putting them in an elite group of just 58 colleges nationwide who have this highly-sought after status.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight continue to lead the way for innovation and excellence in training with the news that that as a region, they lead the number of learning providers with Beacon status. Just last week, Treloar and Brockenhurst Colleges were awarded Beacon status by the LSC, putting them in an elite group of just 58 colleges nationwide who have this highly-sought after status.

Beacon status was introduced in 2002 to provide public recognition of the excellence and innovation which exists within the Learning and Skills sector. Beacon status differs from CoVE status in that it is for general, tertiary colleges, sixth forms, work based learning providers and adult community learning providers who are funded by the LSC and inspected by the Office for Standards (OFSTED) or the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). In order to gain this award, a learning provider must pass a three stage selection process, with at least grade 1 or 2 inspection grades in leadership and management, an LSC assessment of suitability and a submitted provider proposal.

“The organizations awarded Learning and Skills Beacon status have already made an outstanding contribution to the Learning and Skills sector,” said Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education. According the Beacon website www.beaconstatus.org , a Beacon must be able to share good practice, lead innovation and provide a resource for the sector.

Treloar College Principal Graham Jowett exclaimed, “We are delighted that this vision and commitment has been recognized and valued in this way!” Michael Snell, Principal for Brockenhurst College added, “We are proud to be part of this vibrant and high achieving family of Beacon Colleges.”

The six organizations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have achieved Beacon status are:

Brockenhurst College

Treloar College

Alton College

Eastleigh College

Barton Peveril College

The Sixth Form College, Farnborough

For a full list of learning providers with Beacon status, please see http://www.ukskills.org.uk/opencms/export/download/beacon/List_of_Learning_and_Skills_Beacon_Status_providers.doc


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