College scoops double award win

WINNERS: Hull College celebrations

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Hull College is celebrating a double win at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The college has been named Further Education College of the Year and also won the Innovation Award at the Educate North Awards.

Now in their tenth year, the awards celebrate excellence, world class achievement and improvement across the university, higher education (HE), further education (FE) and sixth form sectors in the North of England.

More than 400 nominees, guests and judges attended the glittering awards ceremony, held at Manchester's Hilton Hotel.

Judges drawn from across business and academia highlighted Hull College’s remarkable transformation over the past 18 months and its unwavering commitment to excellence as key factors in securing the Further Education College of the Year accolade.

Spearheaded by a new leadership team, the impressive turnaround has seen a significant improvement in teaching, learning and overall student experience at the college.

Notable achievements include a top 25 per cent national ranking in student success, along with an overall ‘Good’ Ofsted grade, including ‘Outstanding’ adult provision and ‘Strong’ for addressing regional and national skills. It represented the college’s best Ofsted result since 2008.

It clinched the Innovation Award for its ground-breaking AI Academy initiative.

Recognising the demands of the fourth industrial revolution, the college developed a comprehensive programme addressing the pressing need for AI-focused digital literacy.

‘WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT’: Hull College Principal and CEO Debra Gray

The AI Academy has three distinct strands: one for students, another for staff, and a third catering to businesses, impacting over 2,000 individuals and more than 150 organisations through innovative technology, enhancing their proficiency and creativity with AI tools.

In addition, training has been delivered to support 16 South African colleges, 45 further education and skills providers, and two local authorities.

Debra Gray, CEO and principal of Hull College, said: “We are delighted to have won not one, but two Educate North Awards.

“Being named FE College of the Year is a truly wonderful achievement for the college, and it means a great deal to our entire college community.

“It is a fantastic recognition of all of the hard work that our staff and students have and continue to put in.

“These awards are a testament to all of the fantastic work that is taking place in our college, as well as the ongoing contribution we make to our local community, and it is fantastic to be recognised in this way.

“Excellence and high standards sum up the college perfectly, and I am extremely proud to lead such a dedicated senior leadership team, along with our inspirational teachers and support staff.”

While celebrating the accolades, the principal also reiterated the college’s commitment to continuous improvement and added: “Awards and accolades are a great way to celebrate our achievements and progress, but we’re not slowing down in our ambition and focus to become even better at what we do.

“Through our rigorous approach to quality, our dedication to supporting our students and helping them to exceed their potential, along with our collaborative approach towards teaching, learning, and employer engagement, we never stand still and the college will always strive to develop, improve and progress.”