Aspiration Awards 2022 - Centre of the Year Winner: Loughborough College

The Centre of the Year category recognises providers that have gone over and above to help their learners. This year’s winner is Loughborough College, specifically the Caring Services Department, who impressed the judges with how they have supported their learners to succeed through high-quality teaching and placement opportunities.  

Providing outstanding learning experiences 

The Caring Services Department at Loughborough College offers a wide range of programmes to support achievement and progression for all learners, with qualifications spanning a range of levels and specialisms within early years, and health and social care.   

A key focus of the centre is providing a curriculum that meets the needs of local and national employers and has strong links to industry. They deliver a range of NCFE qualifications, including Levels 2 to 3 in Health and Social Care, and Early Years. This year, Loughborough College has also started delivering T Level qualifications in Education and Childcare, and Health and Science.  

To further support learners on the high-quality, work-focused T Level qualifications, Loughborough College’s new T Level building will be ready for learners in September and will include an early years style classroom and a two-bedded teaching ward.  

100% achievement 

Teaching staff in the Caring Services Department put a great emphasis on supporting learners to gain high-quality placement opportunities in vocational settings to improve their skills and knowledge. Learners have completed placements with organisations including Mountfields Lodge, Rose Cottage Residential Home, St Winefride's Pre-school, Watermead Day Nursery, Beaumanor Nursing Home and the Lime Tree Nursery Groups. 

The Loughborough College Caring Services Department has maintained outstanding EQA reports for many years and was rated green and grade one in their internal quality review.  

Within the department last year, they had 100% achievement and are striving for the same this year. They implement at-risk tracking and close monitoring, as well as blended and flexible delivery, to support positive outcomes. Initiatives such as attendance incentives, additional support sessions each week with staff, wellbeing drop ins, and opportunities to catch up on missed learning, all support learners to achieve their goals.  

Jo Maher, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, said: “I’m so proud that Loughborough College has been recognised for the outstanding provision and opportunities offered to our amazing health and caring service learners. I think this award reflects both the incredible talent, endeavour and attitude of our students as well as the hard work, passion and commitment of our staff. Well done to everyone who has played a role in this wonderful achievement.” 

Going for gold 

Grace Burton, a Health and Social Care learner at Loughborough College, won the gold medal in the WorldSkills UK competition this year. In other departments across Loughborough College, a learner won silver in the Catering Foundation Skills category, and another won third in Culinary Arts. Grace and the other winners learned of their victory during a special live programme from Channel 4’s Packed Lunch studios, presented by Steph McGovern.  

Grace said: “The WorldSkills UK competition was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The mental and physical skills I’ve gained have helped me to develop and set me up for my future. The entire process was amazing and the support I received was great.” 

Supporting the local community 

The team at the college and the learners are dedicated to fundraising and supporting their local community. They work closely with the Falcon Centre, which helps the homeless and those in need across Leicestershire. The college recently supported the centre’s Christmas shoebox appeal, donating over 100 boxes to support the homeless.   

Dominique Gobbi, Deputy Head of PiXL (Secondary and Post-16) said: “In amongst a highly competitive field, Loughborough College had an impressive application. Their commitment to supporting their learners whilst also supporting those in need in their community via the Falcon Centre made them really stand out.” 

Our Centre of the Year 2022 Winner: Caring Services Department at Loughborough College