Thanet College wins a prestigious national award

^{Photo: The Right Honourable Pat McFadden MP Minister of State for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills presents Thanet College staff with their Award. (L to R: Jess Soames Aimhigher Co-ordinator, Brian Dunne Head of Student Services and Rachel Calver Careers Co-ordinator)}

^{8th October 2009}

Thanet College of Further Education has won a prestigious award for Partnership in Practice with Aimhigher Kent and Medway which was presented at the Aimhigher National Awards Ceremony in London on 6th October.

Thanet College is in every way an exceptional partner to the Aimhigher Kent and Medway Partnership. This is exemplified by the active engagement of staff at every level. The Principal’s leadership in ensuring a positive engagement with Aimhigher is reflected in that of her managers, teachers and student support workers throughout the College.

Its Student Support team leads for the Aimhigher Partnership in developing support for young care leavers. In particular, they have devised and managed our Aimhigher Designated Member of Staff scheme, which ensures that young people leaving care are able to access a trained, specialist advisor in all Aimhigher partner HEIs and FECs.

The Principal worked with Aimhigher Kent and Medway to inaugurate the Strategy Group for the Support of Young Care Leavers that met for the first time this year. She also agreed to Chair this group of senior managers from Local Authorities, higher education, further education, Connexions and national agencies including the Frank Buttle Trust. The College leads by example, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for care leavers that has contributed to their confidence and progress.

This year the College facilitated 2,877 Aimhigher student experiences ranging from individual support and advice through to talks on HE, student finance and subject tasters at university and created links with local Aimhigher schools in order to ease the transition of young people at 16.

Felicity Dunworth, Director of Aimhigher Kent and Medway said, "The College’s support is generous, unmeasured and remarkable for combining expertise with passion. We are delighted that Thanet College has been recognised at a national level."

Sue Buss, Principal of Thanet College said, "We are very proud to have been selected for this prestigious national award which celebrates the work of our staff in raising aspirations and supporting so effectively the progression of our students"

Aimhigher is a national, government funded project to encourage and assist more people to enter higher education at college or university. Aimhigher Kent and Medway work on a regional level as a partnership with local universities, further education colleges and schools to help achieve this.

Aimhigher Kent and Medway work with local students in a variety of ways; by arranging visits to local universities and colleges, through using current university students to act as mentors and ambassadors, by going into schools to speak with students and by working with parents to ensure they are actively involved in the process of higher education. Aimhigher Kent and Medway also work with local practitioners and employers to ensure that all relevant parties have an input into the promotion and development of higher education locally.

Aimhigher Kent and Medway are based at Canterbury Christ Church University. Our partners include Canterbury Christ Church University; the University of Greenwich; the University for the Creative Arts; the University of Kent; the Open University; Canterbury College; Hadlow College; Mid Kent College; North West Kent College; South Kent College; Thanet College and West Kent College.

Linda Bishopp

Communications Manager

Aimhigher Kent and Medway Partnership

Telephone: 01227 782566 Mobile: 07843 343374

E-mail: linda.bishopp@canterbury.ac.uk

National Aimhigher Website: www.aimhigher.ac.uk

Aimhigher Kent and Medway Website: www.aimhigherkentandmedway.org