Author: Liam Morton

ESB International is thrilled to announce that two of its centres, Northern Ireland’s Belfast Metropolitan College and Somerset’s Foxes Academy have been shortlisted for the TES (Times Educational Supplement) Specialist Provider of the Year Award.

The prestigious TES Further Education Awards Ceremony puts the spotlight on the achievements of inspirational individuals, leaders and outstanding providers within the FE sector. The evening is a fantastic opportunity to recognise, celebrate and reward the dedication and expertise of people who make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners.

Belfast Metropolitan College has had learners completing ESB International’s assessments for many years, including qualifications such as ‘Inspiring Confidence in Employability’ and ‘Communicating with Others’.

Ian Patterson, ESB Trustee and Course Co-ordinator of Adult SEND Provision at Belfast Met, says, “Our learners really enjoy preparing for their ESB assessments! They offer an attainable and realistic training opportunity and enhance oracy skills for work and life, employability and independent living.”

Alison Anderson, Belfast Met’s Curriculum Area Manager, Centre for Supported Learning, adds:

“What a tremendous achievement to be shortlisted for this award. We can’t wait to attend the ceremony to celebrate the hard work being carried out to support individuals to develop the skills they need to transform their lives!”

ESB International assessments also play an integral part in Foxes Academy Functional Skills programme, supporting learners to gain confidence and communicate effectively, with a focus on employability and interview skills in learners’ third year.

Laura Salter, Foxes’ Head of Education says:

“We are thrilled to be part of this celebration, recognising and rewarding the outstanding work that is carried out within the FE sector.”

The winners will be revealed on the evening of Friday, March 20 in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane, London.

Our Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw adds, “Congratulations to both centres for this remarkable achievement! The work that Belfast Met and Foxes’ puts into developing its learners mirrors ESB’s mission to support all learners to possess the oracy and English language skills they need to achieve their aspirations. We wish you every success on the night.”

To find out more about out our Speech Portfolio for our learners with special educational needs and disabilities, please click here.

ESB International’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw visited Belfast Metropolitan College this week to present Associate Lecturer, Juliet Meighan with a special award.

Juliet received our Burniston Bell Award in recognition of her exceptional and truly inspirational work with ESB learners.

As well as presenting Juliet with her award, Tina took the opportunity to meet these outstanding learners in the college’s Centre for Supported Learning. ESB learners acted to give Tina the official welcome; to present the refreshments to the guests as well as celebrating with Juliet, who accepted her award in recognition of all the colleagues and learners who work together to achieve.

Belfast Metropolitan College’s Deputy Director, Jonathon Heggarty, Head of School, Sharon Rivers, Centre Manager, Alison Anderson and Course Co-ordinator of Adult SEND Provision and ESB Trustee, Ian Patterson were also present to celebrate and reward Juliet’s tremendous achievement.

Each year, the Burniston Bell Award, named in honour of our founder Christabel Burniston and our Honorary President Jocelyn Bell, recognises and rewards ESB teachers who, through their exceptional commitment and hard work keep our founders’ vision alive.

Juliet co-ordinates ESB’s ICE qualifications and has been instrumental in ensuring that Christabel and Jocelyn’s legacy continues to live on.

Says Juliet:

‘I am delighted to accept this award and I’m so pleased that my work at Belfast Metropolitan College, and that of my students and colleagues, has been recognised. ESB qualifications enable exciting and dynamic learning pathways for the Centre’s young learners and we take great pride in following the accredited ESB Programmes our students follow. Thank you so much for this award!’

Tina adds:

‘Fantastic day was had by all! I was thrilled to meet all the learners and see the positive impact that ESB International assessments have had on them. Thank you to Juliet for her continuous commitment to ESB and its values and supporting all learners to realise their full potential and achieve their aspirations!’

For the college it was a double celebration because it has also been shortlisted for TES’s Specialist Provider of the Year Award. College representatives will hear if they have won at a special ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London on Friday, March 20th.

ESB International is refreshing its portfolio of for learners with special educational needs and disabilities – so keep an eye out for developments to these qualifications!

Please click here to find out more about ESB’s ICE qualifications.

The Christabel Burniston Fund

Established in honour of our founders, the Christabel Burniston Fund provides support to centres which might not otherwise be able to access assessments.

At ESB International we are committed to ensuring our qualifications are accessible to every learner, and we are always looking to identify new ways of helping our centres get the most out of our qualifications.

If you wish to make a donation to the fund, please contact our Business Development Manager, mark.wynne@esbuk.org.

The Christabel Burniston Fund

Established in honour of our founders, the Christabel Burniston Fund provides support to centres which might not otherwise be able to access assessments.

At ESB International we are committed to ensuring our qualifications are accessible to every learner, and we are always looking to identify new ways of helping our centres get the most out of our qualifications.

If you wish to make a donation to the fund, please contact our Business Development Manager, mark.wynne@esbuk.org.