Bell Foundation’s Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL – Applications Now Open

Do you have excellent, innovative ESOL provision that is making a real difference to learners?

If you work in ESOL in a college in the UK, we encourage you to apply for the Excellence in ESOL Award, sponsored by The Bell Foundation and run by the Association of Colleges as part of the Beacon Awards.

Whether you’ve introduced a small, meaningful change or developed a wider strategy for improving ESOL delivery, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to share your work and celebrate the impact you're having on learners' lives.

Last year, we received applications from colleges across England and Wales. This year, we hope to see submissions from Scotland and Northern Ireland as well!

Applications are open now and close on 10th September.

Why apply?

• Raise the profile of ESOL in your institution and beyond.

• Celebrate your team’s achievements.

• Share your innovation and impact with the wider sector.

What makes an ESOL project truly stand out?

In a recent blog post, NATECLA trustee and Beacon Award assessor Mary Osmaston reflects on what strong ESOL provision looks like, highlighting the importance of innovation, impact, and inclusion in achieving better outcomes for learners.