The AoC Beacon Awards Programme was launched in 1994 to recognises and promote the interdependence of
further education colleges. The award is supported by the
AoC
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (; ; born October 13, 1989), also known by her initials AOC, is an American politician and activist. She has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, as a member of ...
short for the
Association of Colleges which represents all
FE colleges in
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. There are altogether over 60 sponsors for the award.
Since 1994 there have been 2,850 applicants for the Beacon Awards and there have been just over 250 awards.
The Programme's Aims
*Recognise imaginative and innovatory teaching and learning practice in colleges.
*Draw attention to provision which encourages students to confront problems and issues creatively.
*Highlight the breadth and quality of education in colleges throughout the UK.
*Support learning and continuous improvement through the dissemination of Award-bearing practice.
*Raise awareness and increase understanding of colleges' contribution to and role within the UK economy.
The Programme represents partnership in action by providing significant benefits for the major players involved:
An Award acts as a development grant to help realise the full potential of a project based in a college of further education.
An Award serves to promote the business needs and interests of the sponsor.
External links
PDF file celebrating 10 years of the awardsAoC site
Higher education in the United Kingdom
Educational awards in the United Kingdom