Blackpool Sixth art and graphics teacher Laura Goodinson attended a special network event last week in London for A level teachers who are identified as helping their students achieve particularly strong results.

Laura, who is Assistant Head in the college’s visual arts department, was one of a small number of teachers selected from across the country whose classes have exceptionally good ‘value-added’, meaning that the students they teach achieve at least half an A Level grade higher on average than would be predicted based on their GCSE results.  .

The College A Level Subject Excellence Network meeting was organised by the Association of Colleges and led by Harriet Harper, a former college inspector and author of ‘Outstanding Teaching in Lifelong Learning’.

During the day, the teachers worked together to share ideas and techniques which contribute towards excellent student achievement. The outcome of this work will feed into an A Level conference later in the academic year and contribute to a publication showcasing good practice.

Laura commented, “ I was delighted, very humbled and proud to represent the college and our Visual Arts Department in London. The AOC meeting was a great opportunity for networking and sharing good practice of assessment, building on employability skills, project ideas and creative freedom with, of course, a key structure. Graphic design has a multitude of transferable skills including problem- solving, innovation and working to deadlines.

It is really fantastic that its being recognised for its outstanding A Level Value added. The students always do us proud and it’s a real team effort from both staff and students, as we all work so hard it is lovely to be recognised. ”