STAFF and students from Heart of Worcestershire College are celebrating after winning a prestigious award.

The college won the award for the Effective Use of Technology in Further Education as part of the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards, which recognises and celebrates imaginative and exemplary teaching and learning.

The college has introduced a blended learning model, where some of the teaching is delivered online, across the whole of its curriculum which has allowed it to create a culture where the use of online learning is expected.

Through this approach, the college can better monitor students’ work. It provides personal study and technical support as well as support to teaching staff, allowing them to develop e-learning content through accredited training.

Speaking about the win, Peter Kilcoyne from the college, said: “We’re extremely pleased and proud to have won the award for our blended learning programme.

"The award recognises the many ways in which Heart of Worcestershire College leads the sector in the use of digital technologies to enrich and enhance the experiences of our students on their learning journeys, across all curriculum areas at the college, as well as the work that the team has done in supporting other learning providers across the country and internationally.”

The aim of the awards is to highlight the quality of education in colleges and increase understanding of colleges’ contribution to the UK.