West Sussex's Largest Further Education Provider Shortlisted For Major Awards

The Chichester College Group (CCG) has been shortlisted for a total of four awards, soon to be decided upon by judges acting for the Tes, formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement.

According to the institution, which said its staff teach more than 20,000 students a year, one of them is Further Education College Of The Year.

The other three awards it could receive are:

• Best Teaching & Learning Initiative,
• Best Employer Engagement, and
• FE Leader of the Year for Chief Executive Shelagh Legrave OBE.

The awards are intended to reflect and celebrate the outstanding work that is carried out within the FE (Further Education) sector. 

The group, which includes Brinsbury College, Chichester College, Crawley College, Haywards Heath College and Worthing College, was recognised at Outstanding by Ofsted in 2020.

At this point, it became the largest college group to achieve those standards.

Shelagh Legrave said:

"We are extremely proud to have been shortlisted across so many different categories, which really reflects the passion, hard work and dedication of our staff and students across all of our colleges.

"It is a particular honour to be included in the running for FE College of the Year.

"We have a long-established mission to 'change lives through learning', something we are united in achieving and this shows through in the work taking place every day in our classrooms and workshops.

"It also recognises our focus on holistic support, from our innovative programme for student tutoring to the embedding of student voice via our powerful student union.

"On a personal note, I feel privileged to have been nominated as FE Leader of the Year.

"I had no idea that I had been put forward for this award, so to be shortlisted is a wonderful surprise.

"To be shortlisted is an award in itself and this is truly testament to everyone working at CCG."

The group said it has been recognised for Best Teaching & Learning Initiative for its 'Licence for Total Inclusion' project which was designed to create an inclusive culture of high expectations and continual professional development for all lecturing and support staff.

The project aims to provide a high level of professional knowledge, recognition and awareness of the many diverse needs of students, especially for those on foundation, entry level and level one courses.

In being shortlisted for Employer Engagement, CCG has also been recognised for what it claims are "outstanding" professional relationships with more than 2,500 employers.

The group proactively works with businesses and organisations to develop programmes which address the skills needs of industry and the local area, developing bespoke programmes and providing opportunities.

In the past year, CCG has also worked closed with employers through a partnership project with Horsham District Council and Solent University to support the reopening of businesses in the Covid-19 world, helping them to adapt their ways of working.

Julia Belgutay, Head of FE at the Tes, added:

"Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year, and the amazing individuals, teams and institutions on our Tes FE Awards shortlist showcase that.

"Our judges were highly impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist - it is a brilliant achievement."

The winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony on Friday 28 May.