Joint winners of the Innovation in Access to HE Award - The Access to HE Course Team from Redcar and Cleveland College (Course Leader is Angela Ince)

Nominated by - Angela Shaw, Education Advisor from Redcar and Cleveland College

The team at Redcar and Cleveland College felt the standard BKSB initial assessment used in college was giving limited information regarding levels of English skills, so the team devised an alternative assessment including formal and creative writing – a simple but powerful tool in identifying what learners can do and what needs to be developed.

This was particularly important for learners whose first language was not English so that the college could respond constructively to promote Equality and Diversity and provide focused and targeted individual support from the outset. The Access Diploma gives opportunities and a second chance for many learners and innovation in initial assessment and the development and support for English skills underpins the achievement of all major subjects and effective progression.

This has improved learner experience and widened participation. The excellent resources and increasing use of e-technologies including e-portfolios and Inspirations software for mind-maps also reflect the expertise of this team and the commitment to doing things differently when this makes it better whilst maintaining best practice from traditional methods, academic specialist expertise and years of valuable experience.

Anne Clark and Angela Ince from Redcar and Cleveland College are pictured receiving their award from Kath Dentith, Head of Access at QAA.