Government grants Beacon status to Xaverian

XAVERIAN COLLEGE, Manchester, received Beacon status for outstanding further education from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) on January 26. Xaverian is the first college in Manchester to receive the new award.
Beacon status celebrates outstanding teaching and learning along with excellent leadership and manage ment. Beacon colleges, as exemplars, are a source of expertise and willingly share their good practice with other organisations.
It comes only 16 months after Mary Hunter, principal of the college, joined Xaverian, during which time she has achieved both academic success and an excellent Ofsted report in 2008.
Miss Hunter said: “Many of our students enter the college with below average point scores at GCSE but almost 90 per cent of leavers in 2008 continued into higher education. We are delighted at the progress our students make.” Siôn Simon, Minister for Further Education, said: “In today’s economic climate, the more we can all do to promote and celebrate the excellence that exists in further education and skills, the better.
“I would encourage all Beacons to work with LSIS to share their expertise and good practices to help drive up the performance of the whole sector to the high level that they have attained. Our students, learners and employers deserve nothing less.”