Birmingham Metropolitan College wins Outstanding Innovation in Teaching, Training or Learning Provision Award at the 2011 TES FE Awards

Birmingham Metropolitan College has won the Outstanding Innovation in Teaching, Training and Learning Provision Award at the inaugural TES FE Awards.  One of six colleges shortlisted for the award, the College’s directorate of Creative, Performing and Visual Arts was commended by judges for enabling students to develop in real life environments and experience the world of work.

The TES FE Awards recognise and reward the achievements of the wide range of providers working in learning and skills. Hundreds of colleges from across the UK submitted entries for the 13 categories to recognise achievement by individuals, teams or providers in fields including e-learning, employer engagement, innovation in teaching, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifetime achievement.

The judges were impressed by the industry standard equipment and technology used, but even more impressed by the quality of the teaching.

The JUDGES comment was: “It’s easy to throw technology in and then say that you’re innovative, but BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE are really using it in a creative way that improves the learners’ experience.  THE COLLEGE TEACHING TEAM ARE innovative in the way THEIR OUTSTANDING PRACTICE brings together education and the outside world. There’s a lot of criticism of FE doing so many media, art and design courses where there aren’t any REAL jobs WHEN STUDENTS COMPLETE THEIR COURSES. This is a college saying that there are jobs out there – let’s help learners get out there and do it properly. AND THEY DO AND THEY HAVE”

Singled out for recognition was the College’s FEED creative philosophy from which students have been able to work on more than 50 live projects each year.  These have included students working at Style Birmingham, performing at the LG Arena as well as having their photography published by National Geographic and in an advertising campaign for Urban Outfitters.

Birmingham Metropolitan College were also finalists in the Outstanding e-learning Team award category which recognised their successful learning curriculum for digital technology apprentices studying both long distance and on site.

Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the sector’s achievements at the awards ceremony held at the Brewery, London.

ENDS