The City of Bath College has collected the coveted ‘Further Education Oscar’ for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning in Stonemasonry.
The College was presented with the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award at a ceremony in London on 5th February.
Staff were presented the award by Lord Willis, President of the AoC Charitable Trust, and congratulated by Matthew Hancock, Minister for Skills and Enterprise.
City of Bath College won the award, sponsored by independent education charity the Edge Foundation, for its Living Classroom philosophy where students undertake skilled stonemasonry work under real conditions of heritage restoration work.
Staff aim to motivate students towards the acquisition of technical and vocational employment skills which can enable access to professional careers.
The students are guided and supported by highly skilled practitioners and tutors, and become successful and confident skilled craftsmen and women who are able to gain employment.
Director of Development Rob Sibley said: “Receiving the Beacon Award for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning from Lord Willis was a very proud moment for the College.
“It is the first Beacon Award that we have won and we hope there will be more to follow in subsequent years.
“It was gratifying to be in attendance with members of the Stonemasonry teaching team and one of their students to be recognised for the award in such prestigious surroundings as the Institute for Civil Engineers headquarters at 1 Great George Street, Westminster.
“The building itself is testament to the collective talents of civil engineers across the ages and was a most fitting venue for the presentation ceremony.
“Flanked by other award winners in the main hall, the real achievement of our stonemasons became really tangible. The College had an opportunity to share the positive experiences of the ‘Living Classroom’ with other providers and guests and to start considering how we can extend the concept to other curriculum areas.”
The ‘Living Classroom’ incorporates the restoration and conservation of the Grade II* Orangery at the Tyntesfield Estate in North Somerset, which was at risk of being lost forever.
Students worked with the National Trust and specialist stone conservators Nimbus Conservation to totally transform the building in a three-year project. Level 3 students undertook the work whilst studying for the NVQ in Heritage Skills.
Stonemasonry students also participated in the on-going restoration of the 19th century Victorian Gothic Woodchester Mansion in the Cotswolds. The building boasts incredible architecture and its carvings are among the best in the world. Level 2 students completed the work whilst studying for their Stonemasonry Diploma.
Jan Hodges, CEO of the Edge Foundation, said they were proud to be associated with an award that recognised excellence in practical teaching and learning.
She said: “The ‘Living Classroom’ initiative from City of Bath College demonstrates an excellent understanding of how to provide innovative delivery of high quality practical teaching and learning.
“The partnerships with heritage organisations and conservation companies give the student stonemasons first hand real world experience and access to experienced professionals and provide them with meaningful and challenging conservation projects to work on.
“I congratulate the college on their award which is greatly deserved. I am sure that the continued dissemination of the ‘Living Classroom’ will be of benefit not only to future stonemasons but to a wide range of City of Bath College students.”
City of Bath College will invite dignitaries to a local celebration at the end of March at the Building of Bath Collection.
