How our Beacon Award 2025 finalists are transforming learning with technology
The Beacon Awards recognise excellence in further education, with the Jisc-sponsored ‘effective use of digital technology’ award celebrating colleges using technology to overcome challenges and improve outcomes.
Three forward-thinking colleges have been shortlisted for this prestigious award: Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), City College Plymouth, and USP College. Each has demonstrated how digital innovation can transform learning, empower students, and foster inclusivity, while setting new standards for education. From AI-powered efficiencies to immersive learning experiences, their inspiring projects offer a glimpse of what’s possible when technology is embraced.
How AI is transforming learning at BCoT
Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) is refining education with AI. More than a tool, AI@BCoT represents a cultural shift, making learning more efficient, creative, and accessible for both staff and students.
Empowering staff and students with AI
BCoT’s AI strategy has created significant impact across its community of 360 staff and 5,500 students. Over 100 staff have been trained in AI tools, enabling them to create tailored learning resources that cater to diverse needs. For example, multilingual glossaries generated using AI have made lessons more accessible for students with special educational needs (SEN) and those learning English as an additional language (ESOL).
This effort reflects BCoT’s broader commitment to diversity and inclusion. A teacher said:
“In seconds, I translated a glossary into Arabic, Pashto, and Farsi, making lessons far more accessible and inclusive for my ESOL learners.”
A student-led approach to AI
AI@BCoT began when a student raised ethical concerns about AI use in assignments. This sparked the creation of an AI ethics group and the adoption of tools like Google Gemini to ensure AI is used responsibly. AI has also transformed how careers education is delivered. For example, an engineering student with autism, who had struggled with a math concept, gained clarity when AI-generated analogies linked the problem to his passion for cars.
Illustrating how AI tools have inspired creativity in lesson planning, one teacher said:
"AI gives me new ideas and a starting point."
Delivering measurable impact
"AI@BCoT has transformed the way our staff deliver teaching, evidenced by improved efficiency and an enhanced educational experience for learners."
This is reflected in survey results:
- 82.8% of staff report improved teaching performance
- 77% say AI has boosted student learning outcomes
- 75% note increased student satisfaction
Teachers have reported saving over five hours a week on lesson planning, giving them more time to engage with students directly. With AI becoming 'business as usual', the college is now focusing on expanding its generative AI capabilities and sharing its expertise through national conferences and events, where it has reached more than 3,000 educators.
Revolutionising 'Quality of Education' at City College Plymouth with AI and no-code innovation
City College Plymouth has transformed its Quality of Education (QoE) processes through an innovative, AI-powered app developed with the no-code platform Google AppSheet. This app has centralised QoE activities like lesson observations and deep dives, improving efficiency, supporting staff development, and enhancing teaching quality—all without external funding.
A smarter, faster approach to quality assurance
The app simplifies the complexities of QoE processes, enabling staff to focus on teaching and learning. Staff have experienced significant time savings, with one reflecting:
"The app simplifies reporting, automates workflows, and cuts reporting time by 75%, allowing us to focus on what matters most—our students."
Beyond efficiency, the app supports strategic decision-making by providing staff with AI-driven insights that identify areas for improvement and streamline self-assessment plans. This ensures that quality assurance becomes a proactive process that directly impacts student outcomes.
Making education more inclusive
Accessibility is at the heart of the initiative. The app supports tools like screen readers and Braille displays, ensuring inclusivity for all learners. It also incorporates student feedback to reflect their real experiences in quality assurance processes. These efforts have delivered outstanding outcomes:
- 92.9% achievement for students with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP)
- 89.9% achievement for ethnic minority learners
- 86.7% achievement for pregnant students and young parents
A teacher shared how this inclusivity has empowered students: "The app has made it easier to adapt our processes to suit every learner, ensuring no one is left behind."
Inspiring further innovation
This initiative has inspired further developments, including a student-led hospitality app. By presenting at events like BETT 2024, City College Plymouth is helping other institutions harness the power of AI and no-code solutions to improve education.
Transforming education through digital innovation: USP College’s journey
USP College is setting new standards in education by integrating immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into its teaching, learning, and assessment (TLA) practices.
Leading with immersive technologies
With more than £2 million invested, USP College established the Xtend Digital Campus, a state-of-the-art facility offering forward-thinking, immersive learning experiences. The campus features cutting-edge tools like motion capture studios, VR-assisted classrooms, and green screen infinity coves, all designed to bridge the gap between college-level learning and industry expectations.
James Parker, vice principal, reflected on the initiative’s impact and said:
"Our Xtend Digital Campus has created a forward-thinking, immersive educational experience, preparing students for the modern workplace."
Real impact on students and staff
Immersive technologies have bridged the digital divide and improved student engagement. By 2023/24, nearly all of USP College’s 4,000 students were using digital tools, compared to just 10% pre-pandemic.
Achievement rates for students with learning disabilities increased from 83.3% in 2021/22 to 92.3% in 2023/24, and the HND Creative Media cohort achieved an impressive 94% success rate.
Collaboration with industry
In 2023/24, more than 79 employers contributed to live projects and briefs, providing students with valuable real-world experience while shaping the curriculum to align with industry needs. These partnerships ensure graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in competitive job markets.
Leading the future of education
Basingstoke College of Technology, City College Plymouth, and USP College are proving how innovative digital technologies can transform education.
From AI-powered efficiencies to immersive learning experiences, their groundbreaking projects are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in education.
Paul McKean, director of FE and skills, Jisc, is part of the judging panel for the awards. He said:
"The judging panel was truly impressed by the exceptional quality of entries this year. It’s inspiring to see such innovation and dedication driving the sector forward. Each of our three finalists has demonstrated remarkable impact, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements."
Good luck to all the finalists. The winner will be announced at the Beacon Awards 2024/25 celebration event on Monday 3 March.
For more inspiring stories from colleges, take a look at our member stories.