College team shines on the national stage
Education chiefs are celebrating national recognition for a highly popular podcast aired from its campus.
Ayrshire College won the Inclusive College Award at the College Development Network (CDN) College Awards for its ‘Rockpool Podcasts.’
Created, hosted and produced by John McBlain (Music, performance and media lecturer) and co-hosted by Sara Turkington (Equality and inclusion adviso), and Joe Smith, (HN music and sound production student), Rockpool Podcasts is a variety podcast show featuring a mix of interviews, special guests, stand-alone episodes, themed episodes, and episodes produced by students.
It was recognised as being an excellent example of mainstreaming equality in a “highly innovative way”.
The shows have become an important asset to the college in a time of huge disruption to its community.
John said: “This recognition has been an absolute highlight of a difficult and challenging two years for the whole sector, and on a personal basis.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work into this during a difficult period where I suffered a tragic loss at the start of semester one.
“It’s an amazing accolade for Ayrshire College.”
Earlier in the awards ceremony, the college was commended in the College Community Learning Award category for its Peer Programme.
Its innovative link with partners in the community has the aim of achieving sustainable job outcomes and better lives for its participants.
Ayrshire College and South Ayrshire Council’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership have created a course that has turned people’s lives around and given them the opportunity to give back to the community using the benefit of their lived experience.
The awards ceremony was a further night of success, with former Britain’s Got Talent winner and graduate of Ayrshire College, Jai McDowall, inducted into the College Hall of Fame.