Award for Stoke College ESOL Team, New Aerial Ladder Platform Vehicles for SFRS

Staff at Stoke on Trent College are celebrating after members of its ESOL teaching team have won an award.  ESOL stands for English for speakers of other languages and winning first place in the ‘Inspirational Project of the Year’ Category recognises the impact of the innovative ‘Belonging, Being, Becoming’ project which has made a significant difference to the lives of highly vulnerable asylum seeker children in Stoke-on-Trent. The ‘Inspirational Project’ recognition was part of the ‘National Association of Managers in student service awards’, and it celebrates the achievements of the summer programme, with over 75 young people taking part in life-changing educational and social experiences.

This is the second time the College has won an award, as well as being shortlisted for an award in 2023.

The team were nominated by Dave Hopley, Assistant Principal for Student Experience at Stoke on Trent College. He explains: “For Emma and the team, this is more than just a job. They go far above and beyond to ensure that the learners, some of whom may have experienced trauma in their lives, are well looked after and well supported during their time at college.”

Dave concludes: “I am extremely proud of the team. This is a tremendous accolade for their hard work on the programme this Summer. They are all very dedicated to creating opportunities and exciting experiences for our students.  NAMSS has almost 400 members – so to be recognised for good practice amongst those peers is a real boost to us all and shows we go the extra mile for our students.”

Lisa Capper MBE, Principal and CEO of Stoke on Trent College added: “This sector-leading programme really showcases all that is special about Stoke on Trent College.  Our ability to tailor a programme which develops confidence, student ability, personal resilience and the skills needed to progress is a fantastic live example of our skills ready, future ready strategy.  I am extremely proud of all of the team for this well-deserved award.”

For more information, visit: www.stokecollege.ac.uk

Pictured left to right:

Dave Hopley, Assistant Principal Student Experience, Stoke on Trent College, Emma Beaumont, Foundation ESOL Team, Stoke on Trent College, Emma Brannen, Vice Principal, Stoke on Trent College

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Two new state-of-the-art aerial ladder platform vehicles, known as ASP’s, have hit the roads of Staffordshire. The vehicles will help Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service keep firefighters safe, allow rescues from tall buildings and will assist them when tackling difficult to reach fires.

The ALPs, based at Longton and Burton, will replace the existing vehicles which have been used by the service for nearly two decades.

The newly designed ALPs have been built by a specialist firefighting vehicle manufacturer, to the specification of the Service and firefighters have had an input into. They will extend to 32 metres and the cages can accommodate wheelchairs and five people at any one time, rather than the previous ones only being able to house three.

Station Manager Matt Melland said: “We’re very much looking forward to seeing the new ALPs in action and our firefighters have had extensive training in using the new vehicles.

“Investing in two new vehicles is part of the programme to update the service’s fleet with vehicles incorporating the latest technology. To maintain a modern fire and rescue service, it’s important that we provide fit-for-purpose, specialist operational equipment to support our firefighters in the delivery of excellent services to the communities we serve.

“The new ALP cage and ladder can extend further away from the vehicle than our older fleet which means greater flexibility at incidents to perform rescues and operational tasks.

“New technology will also allow joint-working with our rope rescue team and enable operational crews to carry out more complex rescues at height and in confined spaces.”

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “These new aerial ladder platforms are a significant investment in the future of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. I am pleased to hear both new vehicles will soon be on our roads, helping to ensure the safety of our firefighters and the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”

To find out more about Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service vehicles, visit their website.