We’re very excited to announce that we’ve been officially recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Leadership Skills Foundation.
This significant milestone highlights our commitment to integrating essential leadership skills into our curriculum throughout the past academic year.
With only 38 centres selected for the 2024-25 academic year from the 2,500 plus that the Leadership Skills Foundation works with annually, the accomplishment is testament to the work of Joe Tuley (Lecturer in Esports) and Emily Blackburn (Curriculum Manager). Their work within the College using the Leadership Skills Foundation Level 2 qualification in Esports Leadership has resulted in lasting impact across the community, with 25 students benefiting from these opportunities this year alone.
Emily Blackburn said:
“I am truly pleased and honoured to receive the Centre of Excellence award, a testament to the dedication and hard work of our exceptional staff. Their commitment to excellence and tireless efforts have made this achievement possible, and I could not be prouder of their contributions. This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the positive impact we are making on our students, fostering their growth and skill development in meaningful ways. Together, we continue to shape futures and empower students with the tools they need to succeed, and this award is a proud milestone on that journey.”
The Centre of Excellence title was launched in 2023-24 and is presented to organisations that demonstrate a deeply held commitment to developing essential leadership skills in their learners to help them prepare for work and for life. To be considered, centres must adhere to a comprehensive list of criteria, including: a commitment to effective leadership practices, pathways for leadership throughout the community, fostering a positive college culture, implementing innovative leadership strategies and maintaining high standards of learner performance.
Richard Norman, Chief Executive for the Leadership Skills Foundation, said: “We are delighted to award MidKent College with Centre of Excellence status for the coming academic year. We believe that every young person should have access to opportunities to develop the skills they need to positively influence their future and their communities.
Across the 2,500 centres we work with, MidKent College offers an incredible experience for its students to develop essential leadership skills and it is a privilege to work with them. We can’t wait to see how they continue to build on their Excellence status.”
We plan to build on this work by making this qualification available to an even larger cohort of learners as well as further advancing the opportunities they have to development and practice their leadership skills.
Joe Tuley added: “I’m thrilled that our Esports programme at MidKent has been recognised as a "Centre of Excellence" by the Leadership Skills Foundation. This is particularly meaningful to me, as MidKent played a crucial role in my own journey many years ago, providing me with opportunities that opened countless doors in my career. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished in such a short time, and it’s a privilege to give back by helping our students grow into inspiring leaders. I hope that one day, they too will return to MidKent to share their wisdom with future generations.”
