Hackney Community College awarded for Celebrating Opportunities of 2012

Posted 21st June 2012

Hackney Community College has picked up another London Education Partnership Award. This year it’s for raising aspirations through the celebrations of Britain’s 2012 events.

The award was presented to the College by Oona King (Baroness King of Bow). She commented that the judges were particularly impressed by the college’s work to create job opportunities for students through partnerships – including apprenticeships on the Olympic Park. Further, that HCC has embraced the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games throughout college life.

Head of Leisure, Arts, Sports and Tourism Paul Lazarus has played a key role in the college’s 2012 work

Accepting the award, Ruth Lomax, Assistant Director at the college, thanked partners, staff and students and acknowledged their efforts over the years since London won the bid for the 2012 Games. This work has made sure that students and other people in our local communities have been able to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the Games.

Gareth Smith from Podium and Steve Herbert from The Learning Trust accompanied the HCC group at the awards.

Hackney Community College’s commitment to student opportunities surrounding the Olympic and Paralympic Games is wide-ranging. Judges for the award considered the following evidence:

• 40 catering students will get work at the Games.
• 9 students (and 2 staff) will perform in the opening ceremony.
• 106 students have achieved additional security qualifications and have been offered work at the Games.
• 10 art students created work displayed at volunteer training venues.
• Countless construction students got work experience on the Olympic Park.
• Over 50 media students have made films inspired by the Games and their values.
• 1 student will be a torch bearer.
• Over 500 local school pupils have been engaged through 2012 activities led by our students.
• 70 students have been inspired by winning Olympic-themed awards at the College.
• 30 students have taken part in the Legacy Champions scheme (and we played a key role in setting up the project for the benefit of other host borough colleges too).
• 1000s of HCC students have participated in another Olympic-themed activity or event.
• 1000+ people have attended Olympic awareness events and job fairs.
• 200 students will get FREE tickets to an Olympic or Paralympic event.
• 20 students will get to spend a whole day in the park during Games time with “Access all Areas” privileges.

This is just a summary of some of the extensive activities, working with partners, to make sure that HCC students are at the forefront of opportunities.

The London Education Partnership Awards recognise work to raise aspirations of young people and help them reach their full potential. The awards:

• Recognise and continually refine standards of excellence and practice
• Reward innovation and entrepreneurship
• Recognise the impact of education partnerships on progression and achievement