Peterborough college shortlisted by Microsoft for international awards able to support learners during coronavirus lockdown

City College Peterborough had already begun using the online chat tool before it became synonymous with the Covid-19 lockdown which saw many educational establishments forced to close their doors.

The college based in Brook Street has been working with IT solutions company Phoenix since 2009 and last year began discussions around using Microsoft 365 as part of its digital strategy which has proved important both with supporting students during lockdown and more generally for learners with a disability.

College principal Pat Carrington said: “During the lockdown we were able to make a much smoother transition to a virtual learner environment that learners could access from home.

“The college prides itself on the important role it plays in the Peterborough community where it works with people and organisations of all shapes and sizes and from all backgrounds to achieve their goals.

“Utilising Microsoft Teams has meant that the college has one platform as their internal communication strategy that all staff can access, as well as holding the learner files, enabling them to do their job and do it more effectively.

“We are also able to better support learners and those in need of additional support whether that be time out of class, help with a project or assistance due to a learning difficulty or disability.

“Our ethos is about being accessible and looking at how we can enable people to achieve their best. Through the use of technology and by looking at different ways of working we can adapt solutions to each individual’s needs.

“With the investment in the new equipment and the use of Teams we’ve seen a transformation in the way that we’re operating.”

City College Peterborough, which provides adult learning, college courses and apprenticeships, was shortlisted in May for three international Microsoft awards based on its work with Phoenix.

These were for: UK Partner of the Year, Surface PC Award and Diversity and Inclusion Changemaker.

And although the college missed out on the awards, the rollout of Microsoft Surface Go devices for staff and students has made a big difference.

One person to benefit is student Ziah who has cerebral palsy and uses a frame to walk.

Being able to use Microsoft Team and Surface Go has helped him in his development, and he said: “I feel the same as everyone else. This makes me feel very happy.”

Deepika Pathak, tutor at City College Peterborough, said of the use of technology: “I’m more confident when doing group work and collaborative work with them in my classroom. It allows them to take charge of their work and understand that this is their learning journey, from start to finish, and ensures that no one is left behind.

“This gives them more confidence and it can help them to plan for their future.”