West Lothian College scoops five awards at prestigious national ceremony

Championing the talent and achievements of staff and students in colleges across Scotland, more than 150 submissions were entered for this year’s College Development Network’s awards ceremony in Glasgow on 30 November.

West Lothian College was the most shortlisted college in Scotland, with eight out of a total of 39 finalists. And it had the highest number of wins on the night – five out of 14.

Early years specialist Caroline Jarvis won the Lecturer of the Year award for leading an annual environmental sustainability activity that involved 210 college students and staff running 37 workshops for over five hundred pupils from West Lothian primary schools.

She said: “I feel really privileged to have been won the Lecturer of the Year award. Although I feel I am just doing my job, it was nice to get national recognition for the work that the college is doing with primary pupils and teachers to tackle the climate emergency.”

Construction lecturer Graeme Binnie picked up the Innovation Award and the prestigious Judge’s Award for his work with school pupils and teachers to encourage interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) amongst school pupils by using carpentry and joinery skills to show the practical application of maths.

Double award winner Graeme said: “I’m very pleased for West Lothian College to receive these awards. To make a difference to young people’s education is very satisfying.”

The college went on to pick up two further wins.

The Digital Learning Award recognised health and social care experts at the college who created a virtual reality Prevention of Infection training module to enable students to gain skills essential in health and care settings.

The life-changing role of the college’s specialist trauma responsive team in building pathways out of addiction and crime was recognised by being presented with the Inclusive College Award.

As well as winning five of the fourteen national awards, the college received two    highly commended awards in the Student of the Year and Health and Wellbeing categories. Student Tori-Leigh Adams, 20, graduated with HNC Business this year after gaining a range of qualifications in vehicle repair maintenance. During the year, she setup her own business.

The college also received two commended awards for College Community Learning category and Professional Services Colleague of the Year.

Principal of West Lothian College, Jackie Galbraith said: “I am very proud and humbled to work with so many excellent staff and students at West Lothian College.

"In my five years as principal, there has never been so many wins for one college at these national awards! The wins were very well deserved and I’m delighted that the judges confirmed what I see every day, that West Lothian College is a first-class college where staff give their very best to help students gain the qualifications that will set them up for life.”