WEYMOUTH College has scooped two top national awards.

Staff and students are celebrating winning the two Association of Colleges Beacon Awards - one for careers education and guidance and the other for sport in the curriculum.

The awards were presented to college representatives by the under-secretary of state for life sciences George Freeman at the awards presentation in London earlier this week.

For the careers award the college introduced a special two-day Careers College for Year 9 and 10 pupils consisting of workshops and a careers fair. This was done through working in partnership with groups including the county council, employers, others colleges and schools.

The sports award aims to build on the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

Acting Principal Nigel Evans said: “Winning one Beacon Award is fantastic, but winning two is an absolutely outstanding achievement for Weymouth College staff and students.

“In very challenging financial times, it is very pleasing that these awards bear testimony to the outstanding efforts of College staff in giving outstanding educational experience to students in Dorset.”

George Freeman, Under-Secretary of State for Life Sciences, said: “Further education colleges play a vital role in delivering a skilled workforce by supporting people from all walks of life into learning. I'm delighted to have the chance to meet with today's winning colleges whose inspiring work is not only creating huge benefits for learners across the country but making a positive contribution to rebalancing our economy.”

Chair of the Beacon Awards, Dame Pat Bacon, said Weymouth College's initiatives were amongst 14 that won awards this year.

She said: “Each year, the calibre of the winning applications increases and I am always impressed by the innovative and creative ways in which colleges continue to help students reach their potential.

“As the sector as a whole continues to support the economic recovery of this country, these Beacon Award winners are helping to shine a spotlight on the outstanding means by which colleges are embracing new technologies and partnerships to achieve this. These colleges are showing the way for others to emulate their excellent work.”