BSDC highly commended in the Pearson National Teaching Awards

Burton and South Derbyshire College (@BSDCofficial) teaching staff are celebrating after being Highly Commended in the @Pearson National Teaching Awards.

These commendations were in two categories: ‘Lockdown Hero and Community Support’, which involved staff from across the College and an individual award nomination in the ‘Digital Innovator’ category for Curriculum Team Leader of Visual Arts, Digital Media and Performing Arts, Steph Parker.

The Lockdown Hero and Community Support nomination focused on the support that the College gave both students and the local community during the outbreak of the pandemic. This included Bill Moorley and Andy Tipper from the College’s Creative department who used high specification printing and 3D rapid prototyping equipment in the College’s Sign and Print Academy to create over 2000 protective face shields which were distributed to local care homes, charities and organisations, providing much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to address the shortages.

The College also supported Staffordshire County Council to train NHS volunteers in manual handling and supporting vulnerable people to support struggling sectors such as health and social care. The College’s Health and Social Care teaching team delivered training to over 60 volunteers in a Covid-secure environment. The College also co-ordinated the receipt of the infrastructure needed to deliver the training such as hospital beds and hoists.

Alongside this, BSDC joined the FE Foodbank Friday campaign to continue its commitment to supporting local foodbanks. There had been a marked decline in foodbank donations and this campaign provided a valuable boost, raising £1,214.16, which was split between three local foodbanks.

Meanwhile, Steph Parker was nominated for the Digital Innovator Award for being a passionate ambassador of digital skills who has successfully embedded technology into the classroom to enhance the skills and experience of her learners. She is at the forefront of using digital technologies to support creatives, including using non-traditional devices and techniques, such as tablets and mobile apps. She also encourages learners to utilise technology and software to increase confidence at lower levels.

In addition, Steph works with other colleges via digital networks and forums which focus on the wider picture of digital education across the West Midlands. She is also passionate about enhancing her own skills to benefit her learners and is looking to start a Masters in Global Learning Futures in September to continue to promote digital innovation in education.

Dawn Ward CBE, Chief Executive and Principal of BSDC presented staff with certificates and commented: “We’re delighted to have been highly commended in two categories in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. The Lockdown Hero Award nomination highlights the amazing collaborative work that our staff undertook to support our learners and local community during the outbreak of the pandemic. Likewise, the Digital Innovator Award nomination highlights the fantastic work that Steph Parker has done to promote digital skills across the College. ‘Digital Expert’ is an integral part of our Skills Promise and we’re passionate about helping our students to develop the digital skills they will need for their future careers.”