Dundee & Angus College Sweeps the Board at National Awards

D&A won five awards and received a commendation at the 2024 College Development Network Awards and Christine Calder, Academic Development Lead won the prestigious Sustainability Champion Staff Award at the 2024 Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland.

Simon Hewitt, Principal of Dundee & Angus College, said: “It is an incredible honour to receive these awards, and I am extremely proud of everyone involved. The individual recognition for Christine is also an amazing achievement and thoroughly well deserved.”

At the CDN awards, Dundee & Angus picked up the College Community Learning Award, Employer Connections Award, Inclusive College Award and Skills Development Award. It was also commended for Inclusive Employability at D&A and NHS Tayside.

The CDN ceremony was held on Thursday 14 November at Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. The awards recognised the talent, skills and achievements of colleges, their staff and learners. This year’s event marked the 25^th anniversary of celebrating the ongoing excellence in Scotland’s college sector and CDN received a record breaking 163 entries. The Green Gown Awards are in their 20^th year and were held at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth on 13^th November, with judges selecting winners from 133 finalists across 84 institutions. 

Simon added: “Partnership, innovation and inclusivity are central to what we do at the College and it’s rewarding to see our efforts celebrated at a national level.

“Each of these projects reflects the hard work, dedication and passion of our staff and partners, whose collaborative efforts are making a real impact in the lives of our students and the wider community.  Together we are creating a foundation for lifelong learning and preparing our learners to thrive in Scotland’s future workforce.”

The entry for College Community Learning Category was awarded for the Linlathen Project and its transformative efforts in one of the UK’s most deprived communities.  In collaboration with the Scottish Government Child Poverty Pathfinder and the Linlathen Fairness Commission, Dundee & Angus has created accessible educational pathways to provide critical support and opportunities for members of the community.

Katie Baxter, Learner and Community Engagement Manager, said: “We are so honoured to receive this award. Our community engagement project is dedicated to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for everyone to experience the transformative power of education. We are not just changing lives, but also building a more inclusive and equitable society.

The Employer Connections Category award was the College’s partnership with Balhousie Care Group and its innovative approach to nutritional education in the care sector.  Through bespoke culinary training, the College has equipped care staff with skills that enhance resident wellbeing and dietary care, setting new standards in health and nutrition.

The College was also commended in the same category for its partnership with NHS Tayside and DFN Project SEARCH for creating employment pathways for young adults with learning disabilities or autism.

In the Inclusive College Category, D&A was recognised as Scotland’s first and only College of Sanctuary and its ongoing support for refugees and asylum seekers.  The College has provided innovative support through dedicated resources and partnership work to support students in overcoming barriers to education. Not only did the team win the Inclusive College Category for this nomination, but they were also presented with the Judges Award as the overall winner of the evening. 

Katie Baxter, Learner and Community Engagement Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised with the CDN Award for Inclusion and to be the first college in Scotland to achieve the status of a College of Sanctuary. This award reflects our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their background. By fostering inclusivity and providing a safe space for learning, we are empowering individuals to reach their full potential and contributing to a more compassionate and equitable society.”

Our work towards College of Sanctuary status, has been made possible by external funding, primarily from Northwood Trust who share the College's commitment to transforming the lives of young people and families from deprived backgrounds and creating lasting change in our local communities.  

The College’s Multiply Project was recognised in the Skills Development Category. The Multiply project’s innovative Maths Homework Club has transformed the approach to numeracy education by engaging parents and children in a supportive community setting to build essential numeracy skills together and provide a foundation for lifelong learning.

The judges hailed it as a terrific project with clear evidence of its impact on skills development.

Kirsty Paterson, Project Delivery Lead, said: “This is recognition of the whole team’s commitment and dedication to delivering innovative Maths and Numeracy upskilling opportunities to the people in the Dundee and Angus regions.  The Multiply funding has allowed us to think differently with the parent and child Maths homework clubs being the standout success.”

Christine Calder, Academic Development Lead won the prestigious Sustainability Champion Staff Award at the 2024 Green Gown Awards.

Her unwavering commitment to embed sustainability throughout the College has set Christine apart. Christine stood out among the 16 finalists in her category. 

Christine said: “Winning the award is an immense privilege and I am humbled to have been considered alongside the other finalists. This accolade is only possible because of the amazing people in D&A College who I collaborate with on a regular basis, all with the vision of making our world, college and education system a little bit greener for everybody and everything.”

Her dedication and passion for sustainability is evident in her efforts to inspire both current and future generations of lecturers and students.   Her innovative approach includes the Continued Professional Development programmes and groundbreaking curriculum mapping projects which have fostered a culture of environmental responsibility.

She has been a strong advocate for sustainable travel policies and reducing the College’s carbon footprint by influencing policy-making and strategic development. She encourages change at all levels, from the Board of Management to students, creating a positive impact that has been replicated across other educational institutions.

Dundee & Angus College is proud to be recognised as a leader in Scotland’s college sector for its innovation, collaboration and community impact. These awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of the College’s staff, students and partners in creating a bright future for all.