Ascent Autism Specialist College, part of the Remarkable Autism Charity, has been shortlisted for three awards in the highly anticipated Educate Awards 2023 shortlist. .
The Educate Awards is the largest education awards in the North West and celebrates the achievements of schools, colleges, teachers, support staff and leadership teams across the region.
This year, Ascent College was named in the shortlist for not one, not two, but three categories.
These include:
- Outstanding Commitment to the Environment
- Leadership Team of the Year
- Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College
For the Outstanding Commitment to the Environment category, judges praised the college for environmental initiatives implemented across the college. Judges said: “Ascent College has undertaken excellent initiatives which have delivered real change. The initiatives are excellently explained and well thought through. Links to the local community are excellent.”
The shortlist for the Leadership Team of the Year Award came after judges were impressed by the college’s conscious effort to recruit autistic staff. Judges said: “There has been a concerted push on recruiting autistic staff at Ascent Autism Specialist College, which is commendable.
“This year, one teacher and two teaching support assistants have been employed to support and act as role models for young people and develop the curriculum even more effectively.”
When judging Ascent College for Most Inspirational Sixth Form, the panel described Ascent as a ‘beacon of hope, consistently breaking down barriers for its students, driven by an unwavering passion’ and noted how the college is ‘successfully developing an exceptionally high number of great leaders who are also helping to inspire young people in other schools and colleges.’
Unsurprisingly, head of adult services at the college, Julliet Doherty, was delighted by the news. She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for three Educate Awards; this is a testament to the dedication of our team, the resilience of our learners, and the compassion of our community.
“Our goal has always been to support our learners to live happy and fulfilled lives while ensuring they can access opportunities that enrich their lives. We are extremely proud and honoured to be shortlisted and look forward to attending the prestigious ceremony in November!”
The Educate Awards returns to the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Friday, 17 November 2023 and will welcome back long-term host Simon Ross.
Robin Bush, CEO of Remarkable Autism, commented: “A huge congratulations to our whole Ascent Team who continue to push the boundaries and raise aspirations. We are incredibly proud to see the college recognised on a regional scale.
“The whole Remarkable Group is keeping everything crossed for the big night!”