CANDI scoops a hat-trick of accolades in Sixth Form College Association awards

City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College has won two awards and been named runner-up in another in this year’s Sixth Form College Association (SFCA) Annual Awards.

The SFCA Annual Awards recognise, celebrate and reward outstanding practice by colleges and individuals across the sector.

CANDI came first in the Independent Learning and Covid Above and Beyond categories, earning a special mention in the latter, and second place in the Social Mobility category.

The awards were presented by Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, at an online ceremony on 16 June.

CANDI won the Independent Learning category for a mentoring scheme it set up in partnership with Middlesex University.

The scheme equipped students with independent learning skills to help them during the COVID pandemic and later in work or higher education.

Student ambassadors from the university mentored CANDI students to help them stay on track, progress in their studies and achieve their potential.

The role of cleaning and facilities team during the pandemic led to the college winning the Covid Above and Beyond category.

The team was described as the college’s “unsung heroes” who have kept the college buildings clean and its staff and students safe.

CANDI came second in the Social Mobility category for its new Scholars Programme to help very able but disadvantaged students with high GCSE grades prepare for study at top universities in the UK and overseas.

More than 50 students joined the programme and attended workshops with several Russell Group universities including Cambridge, UCL and Queen Mary University of London.

Assistant Principal Nathan Nagaiah said: “The past year has been one of the most challenging during my time in education, and it is fantastic to see that two of these awards recognise our work during the COVID pandemic.

“Our mentoring partnership with Middlesex University has been a triumph and we look forward to developing this scheme further with them, while our cleaning and facilities team has done an amazing job to keep us all safe.

“I am also extremely proud of our Scholars Programme and thrilled that this project has also received the recognition it deserves.

“I would like to thank SFCA, Middlesex University and Linking London, and all those involved in making CANDI Sixth Form a great place to work and study. I am enormously grateful for their hard work and support in what has been a very challenging time.”

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