College wins best Students’ Union in the UK

Students and staff at Canterbury College are celebrating after being declared the 'Best Students’ Union in the UK for 2010'. (what is the Students' Union? - click here)

In a special ceremony at the University of Warwick, the National Union of Students (NUS) voted Canterbury College as having the 'Best Students’ Union in the Further Education Sector'.

The prestigious award recognises outstanding achievement and best practice. The NUS panel felt that Canterbury College had utilised innovative techniques to enable them to communicate and campaign with more students than ever before with visible results. They were also impressed with the lead role the Union took in organising a joint campaign with local Higher Education Unions, responding to threats to funding and their contribution to the 'Vote for Students campaign'.

Students’ Union President, Jordan Gosbee said: “This is amazing; our team have tried really hard to make sure that students at the College have a great time and succeed. We have listened to the students and worked with the staff at the College to act on feedback, comments and ideas. Being involved with the Students’ Union has really changed my life and this is a great result for all involved." 

Student Activities Manager, Tony Payne, said: “I am so pleased for everyone involved with the Students’ Union. They give up their time to help others at the same time as studying and are truly committed to making Canterbury College a fantastic place to learn.”

Also, in another national ceremony, Canterbury College Students’ Union was recognised at the 'Leading the Learner Voice Awards' held by the Learning & Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). The Union was awarded Second Place as “Representative Organisation of the Year”, as the judges recognised its hard work in striving to be truly representative of its student body.

Alison Clarke, Principal and Executive Director at Canterbury College said: “These really are fantastic achievements. This is the third year in a row that our Students' Union has been finalists in national awards, and we are delighted to have won.”