Bradford College has been named as the best in the country for its innovative approach to embedding functional skills in its curriculum.

The college was named as an Association of Colleges Beacon Award winner at a ceremony at the AoC’s Annual Conference in Birmingham.

Bradford College won the OCR Award for Functional Skills for its innovative approach to developing and embedding these core skills in the curriculum alongside the introduction of the Foundation Learning Diploma.

The award recognises best practice in the delivery of Functional Skills in English, mathematics and IT.

Michele Sutton, Bradford College principal and chief executive, said: “We are delighted that this is the second year running that Bradford College has won an AoC Beacon Award.

“This award is testimony to the team in the college that has led the development of Functional Skills for students over the age of 16 across the city’s schools and colleges.

“I am very proud of our staff and students who convinced the assessors that we were the best in the country in this area of work.”

The college has worked with a consortium of schools on the development of Functional Skills as part of the Creative and Media Diploma and also focused on staff training and development.

The AoC Beacon Award assessors commented on the students’ enthusiasm and their enjoyment of the diploma and Functional Skills programme.

Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, chairman of the AoC Beacon Awards, said: “Beacon winners blaze a trail in finding new ways of doing things; they contribute to social justice and are instrumental in local economic and social regeneration, essential during these turbulent times.

“While the winners this year are located all across the UK, what they all share are the key traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach.

“I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to reward the contribution these colleges make – they are the pillars of our communities.”

Bradford College will host a celebration event in the New Year and will be presented with the award by MP Kevin Brennan, minister of state for further education, at a national presentation ceremony at Westminster in February.