ESB is thrilled to announce that it has been shortlisted for Awarding Organisation of the Year at the FAB 2023 Awards.

The FAB (Federation of Awarding Bodies) Awards recognise the contributions made by awarding organisations and their employees to education and skills in the UK over the past year.

ESB’s nomination highlighted its many accomplishments in a particular special year – as in 2023 it celebrated its 70^th anniversary. These included overcoming barriers and challenges, improving social mobility, impacting the lives of centres and learners, demonstrating innovation and leadership, and excellence in its field.

ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, says:

I’ve led ESB International for a tenth of our story and I am part of a professional, purpose led Awarding Organisation that never fails to make me know why I get out of bed! In our 70th year we are of a view that what we’ve achieved has earned this shortlisting. I lead a team that lives its learner centred culture, that drives change and delivers to our most disadvantaged adults, children and young people  – we really do want our qualifications to help fulfil the potential of all.

For 70 years, ESB has been providing children, young people and adults with the opportunity to find their voice, advocate for their lives and communities. The organisation also offers those coming and choosing to live in our country a pathway to be heard in their new communities as well as those learners living internationally and in the UK an opportunity to boost their employability and portability of their skills across the world.

ESB does this through its specialist Oracy and English language qualifications, certificating nearly 40,000 learners this year. From our specialist portfolio of Oracy qualifications for learners with significant learning needs; to our Oracy qualifications from Early Years to Post 16 offering high levels of UCAS points for those considering a university pathway; to our ESOL Skills for Life and ESOL International qualifications. In addition to our qualifications which boost skills, confidence, self-respect and knowledge, resource-stretched schools and colleges value the accredited outcome of the ESB external assessment experience.

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2023 has seen ESB launch several initiatives demonstrating its commitment to outreach and its purpose – to stretch the most able, support the least confident and realise the potential of all learners.

Outreach Campaign

ESB’s 70/70 outreach campaign was launched to provide financial aid to organisations, both in the education and third sector, to enable learners who face disadvantage due to socio-economic factors, significant learning needs or migrant status to access ESB’s life-changing Oracy or English language qualifications.

Since 2020, ESB’s outreach work has committed £45,000 to support its organisations, and in 2023, it will have committed £30,000 throughout the year. By 2027, ESB wants to double the scale of its outreach programme and reach even more learners facing disadvantage.

Tina says, “To strengthen our outreach work, we’re now searching for new patrons who can raise awareness, attract donors and philanthropists, and help us to expand our reach even further.”

Please watch the video below to learn more about ESB’s incredible work and this exciting initiative.

National Impact Report

ESB published its first National Impact Report, outlining the impact of its externally assessed qualifications on the development of learners’ oracy and personal development. This research, from some of our most disadvantaged primary and secondary schools, demonstrates an impact score of 9/10 and 8/10 respectively, that ESB qualifications have a significant impact on the Oracy skills of their learners in the wake of the pandemic. Please watch the video to learn more about ESB’s National Impact Report. You can also download the Executive Summary of the report here.

ESB also had a peer-reviewed article published in the Chartered Teaching Magazine: ‘A unique opportunity in the curriculum for students to have genuine agency over their choices and outcome’: A study of the impact on learners of employability-focused, externally assessed Level 1 and Level 2 speaking and listening qualifications.

Multimedia 70th Birthday events

ESB has held five multimedia events this year to celebrate its many learners, teachers, assessors, trustees, and staff. You can watch the highlight video of these events here.

Tina adds:

It is a huge honour to have our hard work and dedication acknowledged in such a significant way. We are very proud to be among the few who have been selected and we look forward to the upcoming Awards Ceremony.

The FAB 2023 Awards ceremony is being held on 30th November at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester.

If you are interested in discussing our Oracy and/or English language qualifications and wish to find out if your centre qualifies for financial support through our Outreach programme, we would love to hear from you. Please email business@esbuk.org or call 01695 573439 extension 201.