Bedford College has been recognised as having
the best Leadership in Further Education in the UK.
The prestigious Times Education Supplement,
the bible of educational sector, selected Ian Pryce and his team
for the Outstanding Leadership in Learning and Skills Award.
The awarding report said: “In a crowded field
of excellent contenders, Bedford College stood out.
“Success rates, recruitment, commercial income
and surpluses are all soaring, driving new investment in the
college’s campuses. It has won awards for sustainability and
marketing. And prides itself on rewarding staff with higher than
average pay, with almost all the employees saying they would
recommend the college as an employer.”
Bedford College means business
With regarding to supporting the local economy
the report went on: “One aspect that particularly impressed the
judges was the college’s commitment to sharing its success in
partnerships with employers - such as General Motors in Luton,
which helped to increase apprenticeships by over 62% - as well as
its takeover of the agricultural Shuttleworth College and its
proposals for free schools.”
Judges verdict: “The college
is outstanding. Its whole approach is fantastic: in teaching and
learning, in how it contributes to the local community, its
understanding of green issues, and its work with schools and
employers. Its achievement across such a wide range of activities
is a sign of strong leadership at the top.
“This is an outstanding long-term success
story which aims to be more than just a good college and to take
its success beyond its own walls.”
Chief Executive and Principal Ian Pryce, who
this week collected his CBE for services to education from
Buckingham Palace said: “We have trophies of glittering
prizes here which reflect the way our staff and students excel in
many areas. Bedford College has improved year upon year over the
last decade. It is now recognised on the national stage as an
innovative and financially robust college, where other FE providers
are falling by the way side.
“But what counts to local parents is that we
can offer their child the best possible chance in the future and
what counts to local employers is that we can provide them with
skilled people to meet the fast changing face of the commercial
world today.
“Of all the accolades we have received in the
past ten years, the vote of confidence from our community is what
counts the most and that is when they choose come to us for
education and training. That is a first class reputation where it
matters - the community we serve.”