Cambridge Regional College finalist in AoC Beacon Awards for Excellence in Real World Learning

CRC’s Supported Learning team attended the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards celebration which was held during Colleges Week. CRC was a finalist in The Edge Award for Excellence in Real World Learning category. This is in recognition of the work of the Special Educational Needs Department in the community.

Students from CRC’s Special Educational Needs Department (SEND) work outdoors on community projects, learning horticulture skills and building their confidence and supporting wellbeing. They work with local organisations on community projects and students with SEND learn transferable skills, related to life and work, with tangible results in personal development, opportunities for progression into the workplace or local community.

The Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year.

Jeremy Lloyd, Assistant Principal SEND, said: “We are delighted that the work of our SEN Department has been recognised by the AoC Beacon Awards. Working across a range of projects as part of a team, our students gain employability skills in real life learning environments while making a valuable contribution to local communities.”

The SEND works in partnership with a wide range of organisations in the local area. Projects have included:

Wellcome Sanger Institute

A community project developing biozones to enhance species numbers and insects within a dedicated space of the college, as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project.

Jack Monaghan, Science Engagement Manager Wellcome Sanger Institute, said:

“The Enabling Communities fund has allowed the Wellcome Sanger Institute and CRC to create a legacy for the future. Developing a biodiversity space on the campus is a visionary way for students to learn STEM skills like species monitoring, and over time for them to see the impact of their conservation projects as species numbers increase. The collaboration is ongoing, and we are looking forward to continuing our work with CRC.”

Grafham Water Centre

Building a 30m willow fence at a reservoir and country park, utlising and improving an unused green space to convert it to a space for a tented village to support more young people to engage with the great outdoors. The team had to cut, prepare and transport over four tons of willow from the local Hinchingbrooke area.

Dan Playford, Centre Manager Grafham Water Centre, said: “The great thing was the way that everyone worked together and how the young people were empowered to take part. With a range of abilities and expertise in the group, every single person made a valuable contribution, and the project achieved its goal of building willow fencing for the site. We’ve established a good long-term relationship with CRC with both sides benefiting from collaborating.”

CRC has some of the best facilities in the country which allows students to grow personally and professionally in an encouraging setting.