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The Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL

Recognising outstanding language support for learners of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in the UK.

The window for applications is open until 10 September 2025.

 What is The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL? 

The Bell Foundation’s Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL recognises exceptional work by practitioners in colleges who support learners using English as a second or additional language (ESOL).

The Award highlights best practice, innovation, and impact in the Further Education sector and aims to:  

  • Raise the profile of outstanding ESOL provision 
  • Inspire other educators and institutions 
  • Support the sharing of effective approaches across the UK 

Submissions are invited from colleges showcasing excellence in ESOL education and in ESOL support in vocational courses. The criteria for evaluation include the three Beacon criteria: innovation, impact, and inclusion. We are seeking initiatives that demonstrate creative teaching methods, measurable outcomes, and a commitment to long-term effectiveness. 

The window for applications is now open. Apply by 10 September 2025!

Find out more about The Bell Foundation Beacon Award
Apply by 10 September!

Celebrating ESOL excellence: reflections from the Award sponsor-assessors

Insights from Silvana Richardson, Strategic Education Advisor at The Bell Foundation

"As the sponsor-assessor for the award, I count myself extremely lucky to have met truly inspirational learners and passionate staff and leaders, and to hear their life-changing success stories. The three colleges rose to the challenge and have created high levels of confidence, engagement, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging." 

Find out more
Insights from Mary Osmaston, NATECLA trustee

"The Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL is a great new way to raise the profile of ESOL with your colleagues and in your community, and to showcase the life-changing work that you do with your ESOL learners."

Find out more

Why and how to apply

The Beacon Awards are open to UK Further Education colleges, including general further education, land-based, specialist, and sixth-form colleges. Colleges may submit one entry per category, up to four in total. The window for applications is open until 10 September 2025.

Just applying will draw your colleagues’ and senior leaders’ attention to ESOL, and being commended or winning will certainly help to show that ESOL is actually part of the mainstream of college life, as well as raising the profile of your college.  Above all, your students will appreciate and benefit from the focus on them as important members of your college community.   

The Bell Foundation ESOL Award follows standard Beacon criteria plus ESOL-specific descriptors.

We know that there are so many passionate and creative ESOL professionals out there, so we hope you will tell us about what you are doing, whether it’s a small change or a wider development of your work, and about the impact on your students. Last year we had applications from colleges in England and Wales, and this year we hope for some from Scotland and Northern Ireland too.  

Explore all application requirements and apply by 10 September!

Meet the finalists and winners 2024

Winner: Bradford College

“Shakespeare transforms students’ lives and gives them confidence”

Bradford College was the winner of the award due to its ESOL programme, which has been developed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The college uses Shakespeare’s works to enrich language learning. This long-standing initiative has helped over 230 learners build language skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. 

Read the blog
Finalist: New College Durham

"Sport provides an outlet and an opportunity to do something completely different” 

Recognised for its innovative approach to ESOL provision, New College Durham has made a significant impact on asylum seeking students through sport opportunities that have increased their confidence, English skills, and social integration into the local community.  

Read the blog
Finalist: Nottingham College

“Our ESOL learners want to be in work” 

Nottingham College impressed judges with its learner-centred approach and commitment to creating a welcoming, empowering environment for ESOL students from refugee and migrant backgrounds. 

Find out more

Background

The Beacon Awards, launched in 1994 and run by the Association of Colleges, showcase the best and most innovative practice across UK further education colleges. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation and excellence across the sector. 

They aim to highlight the vital connections between colleges, businesses, and professional and voluntary organisations, while showcasing the significant impact colleges have on their students and the wider communities they support.

The Bell Foundation sponsors the Award for Excellence in ESOL, highlighting exceptional initiatives that support learners of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). 

Representatives from Bradford College, winner of the 2024-25 The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL, receiving their certificate from our Director Diana Sutton and our Strategic Education Advisor Silvana Richardson.