Association of Colleges

3,000 Word Limit

As stated on page 8 of the Prospectus, your application for a Beacon Award should not exceed 3,000 words. A word count is requested on the application form. Evidence from your beneficiaries and appendices should be included within the 3,000 word limit.

Many colleges have numerous examples of evidence from beneficiaries such as:

• Comments in learner evaluation forms
• Feedback from partner organisations e.g. emloyers, schools, local authorities or via solicited and unsolicited letters
• Similarly, colleges are likely to have a wealth of supplementary in formation contained in various college documents.

There are two ways in which colleges can incorporate the evidence into their submission:

1. To 'lift' quotes from the forms, letters etc. and put them in the submission to illustrate points or as part of the 'Outcomes and Benefits' section. A footnote can be added to indicate that the original documents can be made available to the assessors, should they wish to see them.
2. To include copies of a sample of feedback forms, letters, documents etc, highlighting which words on the page you are including within the word count and again indicating in a footnote that similar examples can be made available to the assessors, should they wish to see them.

Including evidence from beneficiaries is vital to any submission and its omission is one of the main reasons why an application does not make it on to the shortlist. Whatever form it takes, it adds an extra dimension and colour to the submission, helping the assessors see the direct beneficial effect of the college’s work.