THE work of the maths team at the College of West Anglia was highly commended at the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards. The team was highly commended in the Mercers Company Award for Science or Mathematics, for its work in improving the results of AS

THE work of the maths team at the College of West Anglia was highly commended at the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards.

The team was highly commended in the Mercers' Company Award for Science or Mathematics, for its work in improving the results of AS and A-level mathematics students through the use of a virtual learning environment.

Richard Bradley, head of faculty, humanities and science at the College of West Anglia, said: "I'm delighted the innovative approaches to teaching and learning in maths at the college have been highly commended by the Beacon Award assessors.

"The maths team has developed some great resources which have helped our students achieve excellent results."

All the maths classrooms in the college now have interactive white boards which interact with the virtual learning environment - software that supports teaching and learning.

Since the introduction of the virtual learning environment, the retention and achievement rates of students have improved.

The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation, as well as acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels who work in the further education college sector. The College of West Anglia - which currently has two campuses in Wisbech - was one of only 12 highly commended colleges this year.

The award was announced at the Association of College's annual conference, in a ceremony hosted by comedian, writer and musician Tony Hawks.

Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, chairman of the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards, said: "Beacon winners blaze the trail in finding new ways of doing things, contribute to social justice and are instrumental in local and regional economic generation.

"I and the Association of Colleges Charitable Trust are delighted to reward this contribution to our communities and our economy through the presentation of these awards."

Eddie Brittain, Association of Colleges Beacon Awards lead assessor, said: "By presenting these awards the Association of Colleges showcases best practice and innovative development, creating beacons that other colleges can look to for help, inspiration and encouragement.