Recognition for your ESOL department: The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL
Deadline: 9th September 2026
There are now less than four weeks remaining to apply for The Bell Foundation Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL, part of the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards programme. The award recognises outstanding ESOL provision in further education, celebrating innovation, impact and inclusion in supporting learners who use English as a second or additional language.
At NATECLA, we're delighted to have been involved in supporting the award, and we're particularly proud that many of the colleges, managers and practitioners who have been recognised through the Beacon Awards are active members of the NATECLA community. The award provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the transformative work taking place in ESOL classrooms and programmes across the UK.
Recent winners have included:
2025/26 Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL: The City of Liverpool College was announced as the winner in March 2026. The college was recognised for its innovative ESOL provision supporting more than 1,900 learners from around 50 nationalities, integrating English language learning with vocational skills development. The other finalists were New College Durham and Nottingham College. Find out more
2024/25 Beacon Award for Excellence in ESOL: Bradford College won for its innovative ESOL programme developed in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, using Shakespeare's works to build learners' language skills, confidence and sense of belonging. Find out more
If you're an ESOL practitioner, manager or curriculum leader, we encourage you to consider applying on behalf of your organisation. Whether you've developed an innovative teaching approach, created strong progression opportunities for learners, or established impactful partnerships within your community, this is your chance to gain national recognition and raise the profile of ESOL within your institution and beyond. As The Bell Foundation notes, the award is designed to highlight best practice and inspire others across the sector.
Applications are open now. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate your team's achievements and the life-changing impact of ESOL education.
Read reflections from Mary Osmaston, NATECLA Trustee and Beacon Award judge on the importance of ESOL provision and how a Beacon Award can really help raise the profile of this often under-valued area of education.