ACCRINGTON and Rossendale College has been named 'Outstanding BTEC School/College of the Year 2015' at the National BTEC Awards.

The Accrington-based college beat off hundreds of other nominations to receive the coveted title.

The awards recognise the nearly one million students and centres around the country that are studying or providing BTEC qualifications this year. Pearson, who own BTECs, received over 800 nominations across the 20 award categories for this year’s Awards.

Now in their fifth year, the Awards were hosted by comedian Rob Beckett, at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on July 7.

Ahead of the Awards Ceremony, the winners, their family, friends and nominators attended a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

Rated outstanding by Ofsted, Accrington and Rossendale College (AccRoss) provides a full range of qualifications, including BTECs, BTEC apprenticeships, A-Levels and degree courses, to learners of all ages in East Lancashire and beyond.

The college provides BTEC students with a career-focused education through expert-led master classes, high quality work placements and enrichment activities that ensure all learners are ready for future employment.

The judges described AccRoss as an outstanding college that works hard to ensure that its BTEC qualifications meet the aspirations of its learners and the needs of future employers.

Becky Tootell, director of quality, on behalf of Accrington and Rossendale College, said “We are absolutely thrilled to be named as the BTEC Centre of the Year.

"This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and our students.

"Accrington and Rossendale College has a strong commitment to supporting all our learners to become the best that they can be. We achieve this by recruiting industry leading staff, providing innovative packages of BTEC qualifications which equip our learners for the workplace and through our excellent links with local, regional and national employers."

Mark Anderson, managing director of Pearson UK said: “The National BTEC Awards is an opportunity for us to shout from the rooftops not just about the winners, but also about the achievements of BTEC students, apprentices, teachers, schools, colleges and training providers up and down the country.

“At a time when the value of vocational learning at school and college is continuing to be robustly debated, we believe the example set by these Award winners is part of a growing body of evidence that clearly demonstrates their valuable contribution to both the education system and the broader economy.

"This year’s judges were impressed by the quality and number of nominations we received but Accrington and Rossendale College really stood out as a truly exceptional provider."

Councillor June Harrison, Barnfield ward councillor, said the Broad Oak campus was excellent.

She said: "I think it's excellent news that they've been recognised. They do a lot of different courses for students. It's great news for the town and it will help to put Accrington and Hyndburn on the map."