Association of Colleges
Dramatic ambition sees Colleges triumph at AoC Beacon Awards
10 February 2011
Dramatic ambition sees Colleges triumph at AoC Beacon Awards
A College with strong links to the film and theatre world has won a prestigious education award in recognition of its challenging and unconventional foundation degree course in costume construction.
Coleg Morgannwg has won the Association of Colleges’ President’s Award at a ceremony in London yesterday (9 Feb). The course sees students progressing to university or straight into the entertainment industry following an intensive two year foundation degree course in costume construction for theatre and screen.
The College, which has four main campuses based in Rhonda Cynon Taff, was chosen from 17 AoC Beacon Award winners as an outstanding example of achievement in further education by the President of the AoC Charitable Trust, Lord Willis of Knaresborough.
Lord Willis chose Coleg Morgannwg as the winner of the 7th annual President’s Award as he was impressed with the scope and ambition of the course.
He said: “Coleg Morgannwg’s course is hugely ambitious, creative, challenging and unconventional – all the qualities we increasingly need to see from the sector. This is a course which can only operate through the excellence of its design, execution and cost base – again the essential ingredients of successful creative businesses.
“To challenge students to compete in this highly competitive marketplace and to succeed through securing real briefs demonstrates a College stepping up a level and demonstrating that there are simply no glass ceilings for the FE sector.”
The announcement came as John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, presented all the winning Colleges with the prestigious Beacon Awards at a ceremony in Westminster.
He said: “I’m pleased to be part of the AoC Beacon Awards which recognise and celebrate the greatest successes of the further education sector. The Awards highlight the exceptional ability of many Colleges to respond to the needs of students and local businesses and revitalise the communities they serve.
“It’s right that these Colleges are recognised for their hard work. These are precisely the sorts of achievements I want to see continue so further education can fulfil its potential as an engine of social and economic progress.”
Coleg Morgannwg won the Edge Award for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning for its Skills for Costume Construction in Theatre and Screen foundation degree. The Award recognises Colleges providing excellent practical teaching that results in students having learning experiences that are real, meaningful, challenging and life-changing.
The College has strong links with theatre and film production companies and won the Award for the course which was developed to meet an industry need for higher level practical skills in costume construction. During the course, students produce costumes for theatre and screen productions and benefit from working alongside professionals in theatre, dance, screen and opera companies.
Course leader Emma Highgate said: “We are so delighted to have won. All the staff and students involved in this course are really passionate about what we do and that is reflected in the commitment and support given to this course.
“We went out to the industry with lots of questionnaires and let them know we were planning on starting a costume design course but what we discovered was that there is one costume designer on a film set but 300 people needed to make the garments so we focused on costume construction. This is our third year and we have built up really strong contacts with theatrical organisations, including Welsh National Opera.”
Many of the students have little or no costume-making experience when they first enrol and find the course challenging. They use modern technology, equipment and research techniques in their work; in the first year they make costumes in inexpensive calico, but by the second year they are doing intricate work, including elaborate embroidery or screen printing on expensive fabrics.
The experience of working alongside clients, including designers, actors and models, is invaluable in developing their understanding of the sensitivities involved with fitting garments on real people and of the financial and practical constraints involved in the industry. Most students go on to complete the full BA degree programme at university, while the remaining students take up jobs in the West End, in TV and in film work.
Peter Mitchell, interim CEO of independent education foundation Edge, said: “Coleg Morgannwg showcases the importance of providing students with high quality educational routes and this project highlights the many paths to success such an approach can give to young people. I congratulate them on their Award and hope they continue to lead the way for other Colleges across the UK.”
The AoC Beacon Awards, now in their 17th year, recognise the achievements of Colleges in a variety of categories, such as widening participation, excellence in the use of technology and in science or mathematics. They celebrate and reward outstanding teaching and learning in Further Education Colleges through the UK. Details of the AoC Beacon Awards for 2011/12 will be available in April.
Ends
For more information, photographs, or to arrange an interview with the winners, please contact Louise Duffy, AoC Charitable Trust and Communications Officer, at louise_duffy@aoc.co.uk or 020 7034 9957. Alternatively, contact Alice Thiagaraj, AoC Charitable Trust Manager, at alice_thiagaraj@aoc.co.uk or 020 7034 9917.
Notes to Editors:
1. The AoC Beacon Awards programme was established in 1994 under the auspices of the Association of Colleges at the suggestion of The Partnership Trust. The Partnership Trust wished to establish an awards programme for the further education sector after similar events for the higher education sector proved successful.
2. The Awards started with just six sponsors in the first year and 13 categories. A total of 101 applications were received from 61 Colleges and the winners were announced at the Annual Conference in Edinburgh. The awards now regularly attract around 270 applications a year for more than 20 Awards.
3. Edge is an independent education foundation. It is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning, so that all young people have the opportunity to achieve their potential, and the UK's future workforce is equipped with the skills to be successful in the modern economy. Edge believes that 'learning by doing' is as important as academic learning, and that there are many paths to success. For more information visit www.edge.co.uk.
The Award-winning Colleges in 2010 were:
The AQA Award for College/School Partnerships
Award winner: Exeter College
The AoC Create Award for College Engagement with Employers
Award winner: New College Nottingham
The Association of Colleges Award for Widening Participation
Award winner: Hackney Community College
The Becta Award for Excellence in the Use of Technology
Award winner: Walsall College
The British Council Award for International Student Support
Award winner: Edinburgh’s Telford College
The City & Guilds Award for Staff Development in Further Education
Award winner: Brooke House Sixth Form College
The Department for Education Award for Successful Delivery of Level 2 and Level 3 Qualifications
Award winner: Hull College
The Department for Education, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Association of Colleges Award for Smarter Procurement
Award winner: Blackpool and The Fylde College on behalf of the Northern Colleges Collaborative Group
The Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning
Award winner: Birmingham Metropolitan College
The Edge Award for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning
Award winner: Coleg Morgannwg
The Enterprise UK Award for Enterprise
Award winner: Southern Regional College
The Jardine Lloyd Thompson Benefit Solutions Award for Health and Community Care
Award winner: Hartlepool College
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service Award for Leadership of Innovation in Curriculum Development
Award winner: College of West Anglia
The Mencap/RNIB Award for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
Award winner: City College Norwich
The OCR Award for Functional Skills
Award winner: Leicester College
The Welsh Assembly Government Award for 14-19 Collaboration
Award winner: Coleg Sir Gâr
The Young People’s Learning Agency Award for 14-19 Collaboration
Award winner: South Devon College
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