Walsall College shared best practice with colleges across the country after winning an Association of Colleges Beacon Award.

The college’s functional skills team won the award for adopting innovative approaches to teaching the functional skills of English, maths and ICT within all of its vocational areas, which has led to a significant improvement to success of learners.

During the day, representatives had the opportunity to find out how the college achieved such high standards in functional skills. Susan Salter, from award sponsors OCR, attended on the day to present the college with a cheque for the cash prize of £5,000, to enhance the project further.

Walsall College will also be officially presented with their Award by John Hayes, minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, at a national presentation ceremony, due to be held at Westminster in February.

Jan Myatt, curriculum manager for functional skills said: “Winning the AoC Beacon Award for Skills was a great achievement.”