Bradford College has been named College of the Year at the Edufuturists Awards, recognising its forward-thinking use of digital technology to support student learning.
The prestigious awards, held each year to celebrate innovation in education, took place at a special ceremony in Manchester. Bradford College came out on top in a hotly contested category, judged by a panel of sector experts and a public vote that saw 30,000 people have their say.
The College’s Learning, Development, and Innovation team earned praise for their work in digital transformation. Their efforts have helped upskill staff and introduce new technologies that make learning more immersive, inclusive, and tailored to individual students.
“This is a very significant award within the Further Education sector,” said Tim Lupton, Head of Learning, Development, and Innovation. “It’s judged by professionals who’ve spent their careers driving digital teaching forward. Being recognised by them shows the impact we’re making.”
The award follows a year of rapid progress for Bradford College, which began its digital journey in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Building on that momentum, the team created the ‘Go Digital with Microsoft’ community, a thriving online space with over 500 staff sharing ideas and exploring new tools.
“We were shortlisted last year but didn’t win, so we’re thrilled to take the title this time,” said Monika Worthington, Learning Innovation Lead and Microsoft Certified Educator. “What makes it even more special is that we didn’t nominate ourselves. Someone out there saw our work and put us forward.”
Bradford College is now officially a Microsoft Showcase School for 2024/25, joining a select group of institutions recognised worldwide for leading the way in digital education.
As well as regular development days focused on digital skills, the College has introduced tools like immersive classrooms, the ClassView system, and custom VR content to support students with additional needs, including SEND and ESOL learners.
Tim added, “Our staff are all at different stages in their digital journey, and we’re here to support every step. Whether someone is just starting out or pioneering new platforms, our goal is the same — to give students the best possible experience.”
More information about teaching, learning, and course enrolment for September is available on the Bradford College website.
